Over two-thirds of UK adults either haven’t written a will or have an out-of-date version, a charity reveals.
Over half of the 2,000 respondents surveyed by Will Aid haven’t made a will, while a tenth (11%) said their inclusions did not reflect their current wishes.
The reasons for not writing a will were largely down to not having enough possessions to hand down (27%) and finding the process of employing a solicitor too expensive (21%).
There is also a lack of urgency among many when it comes to wills, as it takes an average of six years for Brits to update their will, while a fifth haven’t ever done so.
For parents with children over the age of 18, it takes them seven-and-a-half years to update their wishes, while those with children under 18 do so every four years.
Meanwhile, just a third have updated their legal document in the last three years.
‘Final loving act for those you care about’
Peter de Vena Franks, Will Aid’s campaign director, said: “Making a will is a final loving act for those you care about. It provides a clear plan and guidance for your family after you’re gone.
“We know thinking about death is uncomfortable and considering your final wishes can be daunting, but not having one can lead to confusion and distress among family members and beneficiaries, at an already upsetting time.”
De Vena Franks added: “The statistics on outdated wills are worrying, because circumstances change, and it’s crucial to keep your documents up to date to ensure they reflect your current situation.”
If you are thinking about writing your will, there are opportunities to do so for a lot cheaper than usual.
If you are aged over 55 and missed Free Wills Month in March, you can snap up a spot with Will Aid during the whole month of November. The campaign invites solicitors to write basic wills for free to people who require one but may have been put off by the cost.
As part of the long-running initiative, solicitors waive their fees, but the charity suggests a £100 donation if you get a single basic will written. This suggested amount jumps to £180 for a pair of basic ‘mirror’ wills – a set of two identical wills, usually made by a couple.
Save hundreds with Will Aid initiative
With solicitor fees often coming to between 1% and 5% of the value of the estate, excluding VAT, according to The Probate Network, you could be saving hundreds or even up to £2,000 for your will if you book through Will Aid.
Appointments for November are available to book now, and depending on how close you are to the solicitor’s location, you can organise an in-person meeting. If you are too far away, then you can either chat over the phone or discuss your will during a video call.
You can search using your postcode and then organise the meeting on the Will Aid website here.
Trusha Velji of Touch Solicitors in Oldham has been a Will Aid participant for 15 years and says keeping your will document safe “is vital”.
Velji said: “Having a will is essential for ensuring your wishes are respected and providing peace of mind for you and your loved ones and keeping that document up to date is vital, especially when circumstances in your life change.
“Common reasons for updating your will might include the death of a relative, divorce or separation, having children or gaining stepchildren. We advise you to regularly review your will to make sure it still outlines your wishes.”
