Despite an increase in will-making during the first UK-wide coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown, many people have still not put their affairs in order, according to latest Law Society study.
New research unveiled by the Law Society showed 7% of respondents made or updated their will during the first lockdown but over half (59%) of those surveyed said they did not have a Will.
Over 1,000 members of the general public took part in the survey, which was commissioned by the Law Society – and was undertaken after the first lockdown restrictions began to ease.
Further findings found just 29% said they have an up-to-date Will which reflects their current intentions.
And the main reasons given for not making a will were, not having anything of value to leave to their loved ones (24%), not finding the time to make a will (20%), and thinking they were too young to make a will (18%).
7% of all respondents and 6% of those who identified as keyworkers made or updated their Will during the first UK lockdown – given how many people do not have a Will, this is a striking shift.
Over half of those surveyed who were working during the first UK lockdown said they were a key worker.
Furthermore, Which? Wills found that there was a surge in the number of people making Wills after the UK first went into national lockdown – as Which? Wills saw a 682% increase in April this year.
Which? Wills service saw orders increase by 203% in March 2020, compared with the same period last year. In April, orders soared 682% year on year.
The Law Society of England and Wales president David Greene told Which?:
“It is hugely encouraging so many people have made wills during the first UK lockdown. But the fact remains that the overwhelming majority of the UK public do not have an up-to-date will…..”
