Stop Procrastinating: It Takes 20 Minutes to Protect Your Family

You know you need a will. You've known for years.

Every time you get on a plane, it crosses your mind. Every time you hear about someone dying young, you think "I really need to sort that out." Every time your partner mentions it, you say "I know, I know, I'll do it soon."

Soon never comes.

Here's what's actually stopping you:

It feels morbid
You think it's complicated
You can't decide on guardians
You never seem to have time
You'll do it when things calm down

Things never calm down. And the discomfort of thinking about your death for 20 minutes is nothing compared to the chaos you'd leave behind without a plan.

Today is the day. Right now is the moment.

The 20-Minute Action Plan

This isn't a guide to read and bookmark for later. This is what you're doing right now.

Minutes 1-5: The Guardian Decision

If both you and your partner died, who would raise your children?

Stop overthinking. Your gut already knows. It's probably:

Your sibling
Your partner's sibling
Your parents or partner's parents
A close friend who's like family

Write down a name. First instinct.

Now write a backup name in case your first choice can't serve.

Can't agree with your partner? Pick someone. Any named guardian is better than letting a court decide. You can update it later when you've resolved the disagreement.

Done? Move on.

Minutes 6-10: The Beneficiaries

Who gets your stuff?

For most people, this is simple:

Primary: Everything to your spouse/partner
If they've also died: Everything split equally between your children
If no children: Split between siblings or parents

That's it. You're not writing the Magna Carta. You're specifying a default distribution.

If you want specific items to go to specific people, you can add that. But you don't have to. Keep it simple for now.

Decided? Move on.

Minutes 11-15: The Executors

Who handles your affairs when you die?

Your executor pays bills, distributes assets, handles paperwork. You need someone:

Organised and reliable
Willing to do admin under emotional stress
You trust completely

Common choices:

Your spouse/partner (most common)
A sibling
A trusted friend
Your parent

Name your partner as primary executor. Name someone else as backup (often the same person you chose as guardian).

Sorted? Move on.

Minutes 16-20: Start the Will

Go to an online will service now. Not later. Now.

They'll ask you the questions you just answered. You'll fill in names and addresses. They'll generate a legal document.

Cost: £90-£150 for a single will, £120-£200 for a couple doing both wills together.

Time: 15-20 minutes more to complete the form.

Total time: Under 40 minutes from right now to having a will draft ready to sign.

"But What If..."

"I can't decide on guardians"

Decide anyway. An imperfect choice beats no choice. Courts dealing with your children is worse than any guardian you'd consider.

"My situation is complicated"

Start with a simple will anyway. Something is better than nothing. You can upgrade to a solicitor-reviewed version later.

"I don't have much money"

Guardianship isn't about money. Even with zero assets, you need a will to say who raises your kids.

"We haven't talked to the guardians yet"

Text them right now: "Quick question - would you be comfortable being named as guardian for [kids' names] in our will?" Then continue with the will. You can adjust if they say no.

"I need to check some account details"

You don't need exact figures. Rough values are fine. "My pension" and "my bank accounts" work. You can be more specific later.

"It feels morbid"

It is morbid. Do it anyway. 20 minutes of discomfort versus leaving your family without direction. The maths is obvious.

After the 20 Minutes

You'll have a will draft. Here's what happens next:

Within 48 hours:

Review the draft for accuracy
Pay for the service
Arrange two witnesses for signing (not beneficiaries - ask neighbours or colleagues)

Within a week:

Sign the will properly (you sign, witnesses watch, witnesses sign)
Store it safely
Tell your executor where it is

Within a month:

Consider LPAs (Lasting Power of Attorney)
Review your life insurance
Create an "If I Die" document with practical information

But those can wait. Right now, the will is what matters.

The Cost of Waiting

Every day without a will is a gamble. The odds are in your favour - most people don't die young. But if you lose that gamble:

Your children's future is decided by strangers. A court picks their guardian. Family members fight. Kids are caught in the middle.
Your assets go by intestacy rules, not your wishes. Unmarried partners get nothing. Stepchildren may be excluded. Money goes places you wouldn't choose.
Your family grieves AND navigates chaos. Bank accounts frozen. Bills unpaid. Probate delayed. Uncertainty everywhere.

All because you didn't spend 20 minutes on something you knew you needed to do.

Frequently Asked Questions {#frequently-asked-questions}

Key Takeaways

Stop reading and start doing. You've researched enough. Action beats preparation.
20 minutes is all it takes. Less than an episode of TV. Less than your commute. Less than scrolling social media.
Three decisions. Guardians, beneficiaries, executors. That's all.
Done beats perfect. You can update later. Right now, existence beats excellence.
The cost of waiting is catastrophic. Every day without a will is a day your family is unprotected.

Do It Now {#next-steps}

Not after dinner. Not this weekend. Not when things calm down.

Now.

Close all other tabs. Put your phone on silent. Tell your partner you're doing this.

The version of you that's been meaning to do this for years? Let them rest. The version of you that actually does it starts right now.

20 minutes. Then it's done. Then you never have to think about it again.

Go.

Related Articles:

What Happens to Your Kids If You Both Die? - The reality you're protecting against
I'm 35 With Kids and No Will: Where Do I Start? - More detailed guide if you need it
Choosing a Guardian for Your Children - Help with the hardest decision

Last updated: January 2026. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws described apply to England and Wales.