When dealing with the loss of a loved one, it’s easy to overlook what will happen to their possessions. Fortunately, the The Sims 4: Life & Death expansion gives players the chance to plan ahead by letting their Sims create a will before they pass away.
In a Sim’s will, they can specify their wishes for after their demise. This includes planning their memorial service, deciding who gets their belongings, and splitting up any assets and heirlooms. It’s essential for your Sim to draft a will in time!
How to Create and Use Wills
Creating a Will from Your Inventory
If you’re prepared to sort out your Sim’s end-of-life plans in The Sims 4: Life & Death, there are a few ways to start drafting a will:
- Access the Household tab on your computer to begin writing a will from home.
- Consult with an Inheritance Lawyer by:
- Arranging a call through the Hire Services option in the Household tab.
- Stopping by the pop-up setup at the Ravenwood Family Day event in the Mourningwood neighborhood, which occurs regularly.
After starting the will, your Sim will find a will document in their personal inventory. You can further customize it by interacting with the will and selecting the “Update Will” option. You can also read the will to review your current choices.
Even though the will is stored in your Sim’s inventory, it might be wise to move it to a more secure location, like the family inventory in build/buy mode, in case something happens and family members need access to it.
If you ever wish to delete your will, simply choose the “Destroy Will” option from the menu accessible in your inventory. This will permanently remove the will, and you’ll need to start a new one if you decide to leave any instructions later.
What Can Be Included in a Will?
By preparing a will while your Sim is still living, they can make important choices to ease the decision-making process when Grim comes for them, such as:
- Choosing various funeral activities that guests can participate in during their memorial, effectively allowing them to plan their own farewell.
- Deciding what happens to their body, with options for burial (headstone) or cremation (urn). Your Sim can determine which option they prefer.
- Specifying to whom their personal heirlooms will be transferred upon their passing.
- Adding a personal note in the will that provides a moodlet for readers when it’s opened after their death.
Additionally, broader provisions now empower your Sim to decide what happens when the last member of the family dies. Rather than leaving things uncertain, your Sim can now clarify:
- Where the household funds will go, whether to another family member or a charitable organization (which is great for passing on wealth).
- What will happen to dependents, like children or pets, that may require care after the Sim is no longer around.
If your Sim wants to create a will but is indifferent to the choices made, they can opt for a premade will from the Mysterious Merchant. Keep in mind that all decisions made within that will are completely out of the Sim’s hands, but it can add an interesting twist to the storyline after their passing if they are not concerned with the specifics of their affairs.