Getting life admin in order can be simple – embrace Spring Clearing Week from APDO and follow MoneySavingExpert.com guidance.

Our friends at the Association for Professional Declutterers and Organisers APDO are launching their Spring Clearing Week from today. They’re aiming to inspire people to declutter and focus on ‘Your Legacy’. Something we are wholly behind and want to add our support to.

Last week Martin Lewis’s MoneySavingExpert website gave this comprehensive guide highlighting all things relating organising your legacy. This includes having open, warm yet blunt conversations with loved ones, covering the essential Will, Powers of Attorney, inheritance tax need-to-knows and funeral planning/probate. As a financial straight talking advocate we can’t think of a better source for this information. Check out the guide here: MoneySavingExpertLifeAdmin. Here we take things to a deeper level, offering a solution to getting your legacy organised at every level.

A Will and Powers of Attorney are a start – But there’s more to YOU than you think!

While these things are crucial, it’s part of the bigger life admin picture. If you’re someone who likes to get things sorted before  they become a problem for loved ones we have the answer. From financial accounts to digital passwords, household bills to beloved pets, there’s so much more to organise beyond who gets what. We offer a simple worksheet-based solution to getting ALL your admin affairs in order – there’s more to YOU than you think!

While a Will handles inheritance, it doesn’t cover all the practical details your loved ones will need. Families are often left scrambling to find paperwork, settle bills, and access accounts—all while dealing with grief. That’s why it’s crucial to put everything in order.

Unlike digital tools, the NOTA:BENE System is a physical guide that walks you through everything step by step. It’s designed to be practical, easy to use, and accessible – especially when people need it most. 

Below is summarised from the Moneysavingexpert article:

Having a Will Matters

A will is a legally binding document that dictates how your money, property, and belongings are distributed after your death. Without one, intestacy laws will determine who inherits your estate, which may not align with your wishes.

Free or Low Cost will sources:

·      Solicitor-Drafted Wills – The most secure option, often available for free during charity-run initiatives like Free Wills Month or Will Aid.

·      Will-Writing Services – Cheaper than solicitors and can be done via https://farewill.com for simplicity.

·      DIY Wills – Low-cost but riskier if not done correctly. 

·      Some charities, such as Cancer Research UK, also offer free will-writing services in exchange for the option to leave them a gift in your will. 

Establishing a Power of Attorney

A Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows you to appoint someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so. The two main types are:

·      Health and Welfare POA: Empowers your appointed individual to make decisions about your medical care and living arrangements.

·      Property and Financial Affairs POA: Allows your chosen person to manage your financial matters, such as paying bills or managing investments.

Without a POA, if you lose mental capacity, your loved ones may face a lengthy and costly court process to gain the authority to manage your affairs. Setting up a POA ensures that someone you trust can act in your best interests without unnecessary delays.

A Will and Powers of Attorney are a Start – What Else Needs Organising?

Inheritance Tax is a levy on the estate (property, money, and possessions) of someone who has died. As of the current tax year, the standard IHT rate is 40%, applied to the value of your estate above the £325,000 threshold. However, there are ways to reduce the IHT burden:

Gifting: You can give away assets during your lifetime. If you survive seven years after making a gift, it typically won't be subject to IHT.

Charitable Donations: Leaving part of your estate to charity can reduce the IHT rate on the remaining estate.

Spousal Transfers: Assets left to a spouse or civil partner are usually exempt from IHT, and any unused allowance can be transferred to them.

Ready to take the next step? Find the system that’s right for you in the SHOP.