A new survey ahead of Will Aid month in November has revealed 56% have never written a Will, while one in 10 admit theirs no longer reflects their wishes.
2,000 people across the UK were surveyed for the research which further identified over one in three (34%) indicating they are unlikely to write or update their Will in the next 12 months. Among those who do have a Will, almost half (45%) said they hadn’t updated it in more than four years – and one in five admitted they’d never updated it at all.
The results should be setting alarm bells ringing said Lauren Poole, Chair of Will Aid.
“The absence of a valid Will won’t just cause legal delays – it creates confusion, stress and even conflict for grieving families. Writing a Will is one of the simplest, kindest things you can do”
she added.
The top reasons UK adults gave for not sorting their Will were that they didn’t understand how it works or thought it was too complex (26%), it was too costly (20%), or they hadn’t found time (20%). A further 17% said they felt uncomfortable thinking about death.
Through WillAid, individuals and couples can have their Will written for free by firms taking part. In exchange, a suggested donation of £120 for a single Will and £200 for a pair of mirror Wills can be donated to Will Aid to support the vital work of eight UK charities; Age UK, Christian Aid, NSPCC, British Red Cross, SCIAF (Scotland), Trócaire (Northern Ireland) and – new for this year, Shelter and Crisis.
“We know that many people are put off by the perceived cost or complexity, but with Will Aid, the process is simple, secure and incredibly worthwhile.”
said Poole.
“Protect loved ones – and support life-changing work across the UK and globally. It’s a win-win.”
Will Aid month takes place in November with solicitors encouraged to take part and in what will be its 37th year. As part of their involvement, have access to a full range of promotional support, including national and regional press outreach, a secure solicitor dashboard, and listing on the Will Aid website. Although the will writing is done free of charge, any additional services and advice is chargeable and many firms see returning clients, boosted local visibility and team development as additional benefits of taking part.
One firm who has participated in Will Aid for over 20 years is Premier Solicitors, who have raised over £163k in that time. On their involvement, Sunil Kambli said
“Having a Will is essential for ensuring wishes are respected and for giving peace of mind to loved ones. But keeping that document up to date is just as important – especially when life circumstances change. Whether it’s the death of a relative, a divorce, a new relationship, or having children or stepchildren, we always advise reviewing a Will regularly to make sure it still reflects wishes.
“Will Aid is a brilliant opportunity to get a Will professionally drawn up or updated, while supporting charities that help some of the most vulnerable people here in the UK and around the world.”
Appointments are available from 1st September. For more information visit www.willaid.org.uk
