Before children, I would have never thought to do a will. Even as I acquired some assets, I figured the state could work out what to do with all that debt. But all that changed when children came along and the need to protect them from beyond the grave suddenly became a priority.

My mum said it was a good idea and sent me multiple links to different DIY will kits. My friend asked if it was needed. “Do you really care? You are dead!” My partner asked if it was that important right now. We were relatively young and healthy. We had a lot on the to-do list and not nearly enough time to do it all.

But “life is unpredictable!” I exclaimed, quoting something I had read online.

Of course, I had already consulted the internet, which gave me legal definitions for intestacy (no will), testamentary capacity (whether you are of sound mind when making your will), and the dire “calamity clause” (when everyone dies together). I also found stories of bitter family feuds and sibling rivalries. I get it, no one wants a story where everyone gets what they want and there is no conflict whatsoever. Yawn.

But that didn’t help........

© The Guardian