By drawing up a will, it is possible to decide for yourself how your assets are distributed after your death. Without a will, they will be shared out according to statutory rules. Those rules mean, for example, that spouses with children from a former relationship will not inherit from each other. It may therefore be a good idea to make a will, to provide the greatest possible protection for assets such as the couple’s home and household effects. For a will to be valid, it has to meet certain formal requirements.