Still Game is back and in episode two we saw the sad demise of character ‘Pete the Jakey’. The episode really was a homage to actor Jack D’Arcy who played Pete.
In the episode Pete had written his own Will. He had made Craiglang’s favourite bartender his Executor, the person responsible for winding up his Estate. So far so good.
It all seems so simple. Put pen to paper and write your own Will. No need to get those pesky lawyers involved but Pete’s Will could quite easily have been formally invalid. He could have had the capacity to write a Will, the intention to make a Will and not encountered any constraints on testamentary freedom (for example, stating in your Will that your house should be boarded up and then set on fire would not be allowed) but the Will may have been formally invalid or open to question.
Not having a Will prepared by a lawyer may well mean that your signature is left open to doubt (having not been witnessed) and a challenge may be brought by those who thought they would benefit. So, don’t do what you saw in Still Game and call or email Claphams Solicitor today to ensure your Will is future proofed.