My bestfriend, after a number of diagnostic procedures, was told that she had ovarian cancer & that it had spread to her liver, lungs etc and was told that she months to live - around three. She was already ill, but being optimistic she decided that months might stretch into years. She had no close family, and asked if I would be her Next of Kin. Over the years I had known her, she had always said that apart from a few small bequests to friends she wanted the money from the sale of her house, plus any other assets to go to 3 charities that she cared very much about. After she recieved the diagnosis she mentioned this several times. Also what she wanted to happen to her cats. She never took the opportunity to make a will, or sort out the cats future. I do feel a little angry with her, that she had the opportunity to carry out her wishes, and would talk to me about where she wanted to be buried etc. When she died, in hospital, they rang me as next of kin. I gave them the phone number of her nearest family - and then her family, many of whom had not known her took over. Without going into this any further, what I am trying to say is - if you get the opportunity make a will. Whether you get a terminal diagnosis, or, are just gracefully ageing, death comes to all of us - and it is a kindness to those near to you to spend a small amount of time putting your wishes in a will.