Solicitors now have the chance to help 67% of UK adults who either don’t have a will or have one that’s out-of-date, by taking part in this year’s Will Aid campaign.
The poll by the Will-writing charity, which surveyed more than 2,000 people across the country, found 56% haven’t made a Will, and 11% admitted theirs did not reflect their current wishes.
Will Aid is an annual charity Will-writing scheme that sees hundreds of solicitors volunteer their time and expertise during the month of November to write basic Wills. Instead of charging their usual fees, they invite clients to make an upfront donation to Will Aid. Donations raised through the campaign support the vital work of the seven Will Aid charities.
It has been running since 1988 and has encouraged more than 350,000 people to write their will with a regulated and insured solicitor and, in so doing has raised more than £24 million in donations, and many millions more in pledged legacies.
Will Aid’s latest poll showed financial pressures seem to be holding people back – with 21% citing the cost of instructing a solicitor as the reason they haven’t sorted a Will.
Other reasons included believing they had nothing worth leaving (27%), never finding the time (18.5%), feeling uncomfortable talking about death (16%) and concerns about the process being too complicated (16%).
Nationally, the average time since people last updated their Wills is six years, with nearly 20% admitting they’ve never updated theirs.
Only a third (34%) of those surveyed have updated their Will in the past three years.
Parents with children over 18 last updated their Wills an average of seven and a half years ago, while those with under 18s averaged four and a half years. Peter de Vena Franks, Will Aid Campaign Director, said:
“These statistics on the lack of a Will – or an outdated Will – are worrying, and show the scale of need out there. Thousands of people need support and the reassurance of speaking to someone who is qualified to draw up their legal documents properly.
We’d encourage any firm who is interested in taking part to find out more. It’s a brilliant way to not only help those who genuinely need support, as well as raising money for charity – but joining Will Aid also expands your reach for potential clients, is a fantastic tool to boost your own team’s morale, and a rewarding way to help your local community and beyond.”
