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Where there’s a Will there’s a way!

By Jane Buckle Jun 1, 2014

Nobody likes to talk about death – theirs or anyone else’s and it is rarely (if ever) discussed round the dinner table, or even the kitchen table.

But certain matters should be taken into consideration not only we “Golden Oldies” but also younger people.

I am a firm believer in Wills. If a person dies without making one it can cause many problems, and I am sad to say that they are usually financial ones. There is an old saying that there is nothing like a funeral to make long lost relatives or friends to pop out from the woodwork in the hope that they might gain a few pennies.

It also leads to many family feuds which is sad, and I am sure that the departed would be very upset and sometimes horrified by the bun fight that ensues. I read recently that a couple had been living together for 27 years, they never bothered to get married because as far as they were concerned “If it ain’t broke why fix it”. An admiral belief but unfortunately the man died without making a will and thereby causing many problems for his partner and their children.

I have to confess here that I have made no less than seven wills and am embarking on number eight! You may think this is a little excessive but circumstances have made it necessary. For example I have been married twice and divorced – in each case children were involved so that alone makes four wills. The other three were due to changes in my financial and family circumstances.

I have used Solicitors for six of the wills and that is expensive, the last one cost £120.00.At the time I happened to have fallen out with a member of my family and left them nothing in event of my death. That has now changed so that is one of the reasons for re-writing it! I dreaded the thought of more legal fees, however in a popular High Street stationers I found a do it yourself will which only cost £24.99. It is easy to follow and is legally binding.

I lived in France for six years and there you simply write it all out on paper, take your passport and identification and go to the local Mayor who will witness you sign the paper and then sign it himself. All done and dusted and for a fraction of the price we pay over here.

To me it is astonishing that there are people who do not make a will when there are children involved. In fact I was invited to dinner and the topic came up. Two of the couples had never bothered and told me afterwards that they had beetled of to a Solicitor as soon as possible.

When a close friend died it was a shock to see how much the costs of his funeral were; the coffin, the announcements made in the newspapers, the hire of the village hall where the refreshments were provided after the service. All had eaten into the money he had left to his children.

So I decided that I would pay for my own funeral and I have! This means that it will be one less problem for those I leave behind when I die. Many will think this is very morbid but it makes me happy. The company are not quite so pleased as I keep changing the hymns I want and the readings. The last time I did this there was a small sigh from the woman dealing with these matters and when I apologised she told me that this quite normal.

So there I am – all set up for my death although I hope it won’t be too soon. My daughter knows all about this latest will, and if she does not behave I shall rush off, get another DIY will and leave it all to Battersea Dogs Home! One reason for her to treat me with the reverence I deserve in my old age.

Only jesting darling, or am I?

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Jane Buckle

My Grandfather was called Bertie Buckle. He was a journalist in Fleet Street then went to live in India and founded the Bombay Gazette. I am not certain this was true but that was what my father told me! I always wanted to be a journalist but ended up doing Public Relations and Advertising, both of which meant that I was writing Press Releases, brochures and articles about clients. I formed my own little business specialising in P.R and Advertising. Unfortunately my clients drifted away one by one. They thought young and enthusiastic girls were preferable to an old lady of 55! I then moved to France where I lived for six blissful years. I renovated and sold houses and finally I realised my dream and wrote for three magazines there. I even had my own column in one of them. On my return to England I pitched for freelance work with all sorts of magazines and papers. I did write some pieces but I was over the moon when Silversurfers accepted an article. I like to think Bertie would be proud of his granddaughter.

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