· To appoint guardians for children and pass on parental responsibility.
· To appoint trustees to act in the best interests on minor beneficiaries.
· To protect your estate from fraud by requiring the need for probate if the estate is over £5,000.
· To protect the inheritance of children, stepchildren and grandchildren.
· To mitigate the effects of inheritance tax on an estate.
· To protect your property (for most the major asset) from compulsory purchase for care fees so that your beneficiaries benefit.
· To give executors the power to protect your estate with the ability to insure those assets.
· To provide for the right of a partner or loved one to remain in the property and not have it sold.
· To give power to trustees to advance money to minor beneficiaries.
· To give power to trustees to invest estate assets on behalf of the intended beneficiaries.
· To protect the inheritance for disabled beneficiaries.
· To clarify and ensure that the intended beneficiary receives business and shareholding assets.
· To make funeral requests known.
· To provide a legacy to your favourite charity.
· To make arrangements for your surviving pets.
· To ensure unmarried and same-sex couples pass on their assets to their partner.
· To ensure single people without children pass their assets to the beneficiaries of their choice.
· To appoint executors to act for you, eliminating confusion, disputes and corruption.
· To have your instructions stored safely, avoiding confusion and searching.
· To provide peace of mind that your wishes have been formally expressed.