A will is a legal document that gives instructions about what you wish to happen after your death to the property owned solely by you. Only by making a will can you select the individuals you wish to benefit and what each should get. If you die without a will a court-appointed administrator will distribute your property according to the Devolution of Estates Act. Your property will be divided in fixed shares among the people that the law regards as your closest relatives. These may not be the people that you wanted to benefit.