Why Everyone Should Have a Will: Protecting Your Loved Ones and Leaving a Legacy That Matters

Writing a Will is one of those things many of us know we should do, but somehow never quite get around to.

Life is busy. There is always something else to organise, someone else to look after or another job to tick off the list.

But writing a Will is one of the simplest ways to make sure your wishes are clear, your loved ones are protected and the things that matter to you are looked after in the future.

This autumn, The Care Workers’ Charity is partnering with Octopus Legacy to encourage more people to take that important step and make or update their Will.

Your wishes, clearly written down

A Will gives you the opportunity to set out what you would like to happen to your money, property and possessions.

It can also help you make decisions about the people you love, including who you would like to act as your executors and, where relevant, who you would like to care for children under 18.

Having those wishes written down can provide reassurance for you and clarity for the people closest to you.

It is your future, your wishes and your choice.

What do you need to write a Will?

Getting started can feel more daunting than it really is.

Before writing your Will, it can help to gather some basic information, including:

You will also want to have an idea of your main assets, such as your home, savings, investments, life insurance, valuable possessions and any debts or mortgages.

You do not need to provide title deeds, bank statements or account numbers for the Will itself to be valid, although keeping a separate record of your assets can be useful.

Who can witness a Will?

Your Will needs to be signed correctly.

You must be aged 18 or over, understand what you are signing and be acting voluntarily.

Two independent witnesses must watch you sign, or acknowledge your signature, and then sign the Will themselves while you are present. Witnesses must also be aged 18 or over and able to understand what they are doing.

A witness should not be someone who is receiving a gift in the Will, or the spouse or civil partner of someone who is receiving a gift.

Family members can act as witnesses, provided they are not beneficiaries and are not married to or in a civil partnership with a beneficiary.

Why now?

A Will is not something you only need later in life.

Life changes. Families grow. Relationships change. People move house. Careers develop. Priorities shift.

Writing or reviewing your Will is a way of making sure your plans still reflect the life you have now.

For many people, it also brings a sense of relief.

One important decision made. One less thing left uncertain.

Not sure whether you need to write or update your Will?

If you are unsure where you stand, a quick estate-planning quiz from Octopus Legacy could be a useful place to start.

The quiz asks you a few questions about your circumstances and gives you suggested next steps based on your answers.

If it turns out that writing or updating your Will should be on your list, you can then access The Care Workers’ Charity’s free Will offer through Octopus Legacy.

Your legacy, your choice

Once you have taken care of the people closest to you, you may also choose to remember a cause that matters to you.

For many families, care workers are there during some of life’s most important and difficult moments, offering reassurance, dignity, independence and support when it is needed most.

Leaving a gift in your Will to The Care Workers’ Charity could help us continue supporting care workers for generations to come, including people experiencing financial hardship, crisis or difficult periods in their lives.

There is no obligation to leave a charitable gift.

Your Will is yours, and the most important thing is that it reflects your wishes.

But if care workers, social care or The Care Workers’ Charity have played an important role in your life, leaving a gift could be one way of continuing that support into the future.

Write your Will for free with Octopus Legacy

As part of our autumn campaign, running from 7 September to 31 October 2026, The Care Workers’ Charity is partnering with Octopus Legacy to make it easier for our supporters to write or update their Will.

Through our partnership, you can access a free Will service with Octopus Legacy and take the next step towards putting your wishes in place.

The free Will offer is available through our partnership beyond the campaign period too, but this autumn is a good opportunity to stop putting it off and get started.

There is no obligation to leave a gift to The Care Workers’ Charity. Your Will should always reflect your own wishes and priorities.

Write your Will for FREE here

Because change can start with something as simple as a Will.