More than half of UK adults are unaware marriage revokes a Will according to research conducted by charity consortium Will Aid.
The annual campaign which returns in November, has conducted a survey of 2000 adults and found 56% of respondents were unaware of this rule.
The current legal position was part of the ‘Modernising Wills Law’ report published by the Law Commission earlier this year, which recommended the removal of the current legislation in an age when cohabitation is a social norm, and there are concerns around undue influence, and predatory marriage.
But in the absence of progress on the proposals, the existing law remains and people remain ‘genuinely surprised’ when they find out their Will written before they contemplated marriage to the partner, is no longer valid said Chris Adiole, Director at Penerley Solicitors; ‘(an invalid Will) can cause real problems for families, leaving everything up in the air at the worst possible time.’
Will Aid is encouraging solicitors to participate in this years’ campaign which again supports UK charities including Age UK, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, SCIAF (Scotland), Trócaire (Northern Ireland) and – new for this year, Shelter and Crisis. Throughout November participating firms offer to write Wills free of charge in exchange for a voluntary donation to Will Aid; suggested donations are £120 for a single Will and £200 for a pair of mirror Wills – with all donations supporting the vital work of these charities. Should the client need additional advice, such as a Lasting Power of Attorney, or complex estate planning including trusts, this work that is all chargeable.
“It is shocking that so many people are unaware that marriage or remarriage cancels an existing Will. This could mean children from a previous relationship are unintentionally disinherited, or that estates are distributed in a way the deceased never intended.”
said Peter de Vena Franks, Campaign Director for Will Aid.
Registration to get involved remains open. For more information, visit www.willaid.org.uk.
