I'm 35 – do I need a will?

There is no minimum age for writing a will in England and Wales, and 35 is a perfectly sensible time to have one in place. A will (a legal document setting out what happens to your money, property, and possessions when you die) becomes increasingly relevant whenever your circumstances include any of the following: a partner you are not married to, children, a mortgage, significant savings or investments, or assets you want to pass to specific people.

Without a will, the intestacy rules apply. These are fixed legal rules that decide who inherits, and they may not reflect your wishes. For example, an unmarried partner has no automatic right to inherit anything under intestacy, regardless of how long you have been together.

A will can also let you name a guardian for any children, specify funeral wishes, and reduce potential disputes among family members. From an inheritance tax (IHT) perspective – IHT is a tax charged on estates above a certain threshold – the way assets are structured and left can affect how much tax your estate pays. Planning at 35 leaves more time to arrange things efficiently.

There is no universal right answer on timing: the common thread in the evidence is that life events such as buying a home, having children, or forming a long-term partnership are stronger triggers than any particular age. That said, having a will in place earlier means your wishes are protected if anything unexpected happens.

A solicitor or estate planning specialist can draft a will, and a regulated financial adviser can explain how it fits alongside broader estate and IHT planning for your personal situation.