What Most Wills Miss and Yours Shouldn’t in 2025
- christy800
- Jun 20
- 3 min read
When most people think of writing a Will, they picture big-ticket items like houses, bank accounts, or who gets what percentage of their estate. But often, it’s the smaller, overlooked details that cause the biggest stress later.
From who takes care of your pets to what happens to your passwords, modern Wills need to reflect modern lives. Whether your Will is out of date or you’ve never made one, this guide will help you understand what really matters in 2025.
Pets Are Family - But the Law Doesn’t Always Agree
It might surprise you to know that under UK law, pets are considered personal property. Without a specific clause in your Will, your beloved dog, cat, or parrot could be passed on without a clear plan.
What your Will can (and should) include:
A named guardian to care for your pet
A financial gift or fund to support their ongoing needs
Any preferences about diet, medication, or vet care
At LCS Legal, we help you include legally binding instructions to ensure your pet receives the same level of care you’re giving them today.
Digital Assets - From Passwords to Crypto
Your Will may state who gets the house, but what about your online banking login, that Dropbox full of family photos, or your cryptocurrency wallet?
In today’s world, it’s essential to include digital assets in your estate planning. That means:
Creating a list of online accounts and what should happen to each
Naming someone to manage them
Storing access details securely (not in the Will itself, but referenced in a Letter of Wishes or with LCS Legal)
We work with clients to ensure digital lives aren’t lost, locked, or left in dispute.
Property Ownership - The Fine Print That Changes Everything
Many people assume they can leave their share of a property to anyone they choose. But if it’s owned as joint tenants, it may automatically pass to the co-owner, regardless of what your Will says.
Your Will should reflect:
How your property is legally owned (joint tenants vs tenants in common)
Whether a severance of tenancy is needed to distribute your share
Whether your estate would benefit from a property trust
At LCS Legal, we ensure your Will and property title are aligned, so there are no unexpected outcomes for your family later on.
The Sentimental Items That Start the Biggest Arguments
It’s not always the money that causes family tension; often it’s sentimental belongings. A watch, wedding ring, family photos, handwritten letters… when expectations don’t match reality, it can get emotional.
To avoid this:
Include a chattels clause in your Will
Leave a Letter of Wishes with specific instructions for personal items
Be mindful of blended families or estranged relatives
We help clients clearly document personal gifts, helping families avoid conflict and unnecessary legal challenges.
Wills That Are More Than Five Years Old Are Often Out of Date
If your Will was written more than five years ago, there’s a good chance it’s missing something important. Whether you’ve moved house, divorced, started a business, or welcomed grandchildren; your Will needs to keep up.
Older Wills also often overlook digital assets and pet guardianship. In 2025, these are too important to ignore.
LCS Legal offers Will reviews to ensure your documents remain valid, up to date, and reflective of your full life.
Make Sure Your Will Reflects Everything That Matters
Writing a Will isn’t just about distributing assets; it’s about peace of mind. It’s about ensuring that your values, relationships, and priorities are protected and honoured.
If you’re unsure whether your Will is truly complete, ask yourself: Have I covered my pets? My passwords? My digital presence and sentimental items?
If not, now is the time to update.
At LCS Legal, we help you write a Will that reflects your life, not just your assets.
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