29 February 2024
Update Your Will Week 2024
As part of Update Your Will Week, we’re encouraging people to consider the risks of not having a will in place following new research revealing nearly half of UK adults aged over 30 who don’t have a will say it’s on their to do list, with 43% saying it’s been on their to do list for more than 12 months.
The research from The Association of Lifetime Lawyers shows that almost half (49%) of UK adults don’t have a will in place, meaning their wishes might not be carried out when they die.
The new data reveals 1 in 10 UK adults have started making a will but haven’t finished it, and nearly a third (32%) say they haven’t made a will because they don’t know how to get started.
A quarter of people who have making a will on their to-do list, would prioritise watching TV over getting a will in place.
The Association of Lifetime Lawyers represents a community of the most qualified legal professionals in the UK supporting vulnerable and older people with expert advice and support.
These worrying findings could leave many bereaved families distressed if their loved ones haven’t communicated their wishes legally through a will.
We all know how important this type of life admin is, but research shows just how hard people find it to get started. It doesn’t need to take a long time to prepare or update your will, especially if you have an expert to guide you through the process. And it’s time well spent, reducing the burden on your loved ones after your death, and reducing the risk of disputes that can be costly in time and money to resolve.
Many people think they’re too young to write a will, and understandably don’t like to think about the worst that could happen, but our members often have to deal with cases where a badly drafted or non-existent will has caused undue distress to those left behind.
Research from Lifetime Lawyers shows 21% of wills are handwritten or have handwritten amendments which could make them illegible and therefore difficult to understand. To get your will right, it’s always safest to speak to a specialist, like an Accredited Lifetime Lawyer (we can proudly count ourselves as one), who can help you plan for the future and communicate your wishes in the right way.
If you’d like our expert help to write or update your will, get in touch on 01924 387171, or read more here.
