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WHY PARENTS NEED A WILL (Even If You Don’t Think You Do)

Posted by | Nov 18, 2025 | , | 0 |

WHY PARENTS NEED A WILL (Even If You Don’t Think You Do)

WHY PARENTS NEED A WILL (Even If You Don’t Think You Do)

– By Nellie McQuinn

When I became a parent, my to-do list exploded. Suddenly, I was spinning plates labelled “nappies,” “boobs leaking,” “school deadlines,” “playdates,” and “sleep (what’s that?)”… It felt like there was never a good moment to stop and think about the big questions.

But one thing I’ve learned, both as a mum and as a will-writer, is that the most important decisions often hide in the background until life forces you to face them. For me, that decision was guardianship. Who would look after my child if something happened to me and my husband?

It is not a question any of us want to linger on, but it is the heart of why parents need a will. Without one, the courts decide. And while judges work hard to act in a child’s best interests, they do not know your family dynamics, your values, or who you trust most. That is a choice only you can make.
A lot of people still think wills are only for the wealthy or the elderly. I hear this all the time. In reality, wills are about far more than dividing up money. They are about people, families, and futures. They are about making sure the things that matter most, like your children, your home, and your wishes, are looked after the way you would want.
Away Wills
Take families like mine. My parents are divorced. My dad remarried. I have a sister from that marriage who I do not call my “half” anything. She is simply my sister. My mum lent us money towards our house deposit, like so many parents do for millennial buyers. When you sketch all that out, it is not tidy. But it is real, and honestly, very standard. And all families deserve plans that fit them, not some cookie-cutter version of a traditional family.
And then there is the digital world. Our photos, social media, and even the playlists we have built for our kids’ birthdays are part of our legacy, too. Without instructions, accounts get lost, or worse, locked away forever. A will can cover who you want to hold on to those digital keys.
If you are the kind of person who likes practical steps (and let’s be honest, parenthood turns us all into semi-professional logistics managers), here are a few things a will can do for you:
  • Name guardians for your children so the courts do not have to decide.
  • Protect blended families so your partner, step-children or children from a previous marriage are provided for.
  • Clarify gifts and loans, like when parents help with a deposit, so it does not become messy later.
  • Set out funeral wishes, from minimal send-offs to full celebrations.
  • Plan for digital legacy so your online life is not left in limbo.
None of this is about doom and gloom. Writing a will is actually about peace of mind. It is the opposite of morbid. It is freeing. When you have ticked it off, you can go back to the beautiful chaos of everyday life knowing that, whatever happens, your children will be safe, your wishes will be known, and your family will not be left untangling questions at the hardest possible time.
I often say a will is not about death, it is about love. It is about saying, “I cared enough to make this easier for you.” And for parents, that is one of the most powerful gifts we can give.
So yes, the school run will still be chaotic, the laundry pile will still be Everest, and the snacks will still mysteriously vanish into the car seat. But with a will in place, you will have one less invisible weight on your shoulders. And that feels like a win.
Why parents need a will
Nellie McQuinn is the founder of AWAY Wills, a new kind of will-writing company designed for modern families. Before stepping into the world of law and legacy, Nellie built an extraordinary career in children’s film and television. She worked at the forefront of family entertainment during a time when it was being reshaped by streaming giants, helping to bring some of the world’s most recognisable shows to global audiences.
As Vice President, Head of Production for Moonbug Entertainment, Nellie oversaw international rollouts of household names like CoComelon and Blippi, shows that have defined screen time for an entire generation of children. She worked closely with platforms such as Netflix, Disney, Amazon Studios, and Sky, scaling creative projects into billion-dollar global franchises.
After years of telling children’s stories on screen, Nellie found herself writing a very different kind of story – her own. Becoming a mum of two changed her perspective on legacy, protection, and the gaps in how families are supported when it comes to legal planning. Where the children’s media industry had embraced innovation, technology, and inclusivity, the world of wills was still weighed down by centuries of tradition. Nellie saw an opportunity to change that.
AWAY Wills was born from that realisation: a company that speaks to modern parents in plain English, acknowledges the reality of blended families, digital lives, and financial messiness, and helps them protect what matters most. For Nellie, the work is personal as much as it is professional. She knows first-hand what it means to juggle a demanding career with parenting, and she brings that understanding into every part of her business.
Today, Nellie blends her media background with her life as a mum and her mission as a legal entrepreneur. She is passionate about showing parents that writing a will is not about death, but about love, protection, and peace of mind.
Insta: @awaywills
www.awaywills.com
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Nellie McQuinn

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