- Kirsty Kerr
Writing Wills and Nursing Homes
Writing a will can be a stressful process. Convincing a loved one of the need to write a
will can be even more difficult. But it's important. If Covid-19 has demonstrated
anything, it is the randomness of life. We can’t prevent that randomness, but we can
prepare.
Especially for seniors in elder care, it is important to have a will. By the time you know
you need one, your loved one may have passed away, or be considered unable to
consent to the writing of a will.
Currently, per UK law, there is a provision for people who pass away without wills. If
someone dies without a will their assets will be split evenly between their spouse and
children. Still, this opens up all sorts of legal complexity: what if you are a long-term
partner but aren’t married? What if your children are born out of wedlock?
The time after a loved one’s death—when all we want to do is grieve—is the worst time
to be handling these legal issues. Talk to your loved ones now about writing a will.
And ratifying a will is now easier than ever. With the advent of Covid-19 will signing can
be witnessed over an online call. If you or a loved one are worried about Covid-19, or
there are restrictions about visits to nursing homes and hospitals, and cannot meet in-
person, there are still options.