Less than half of UK adults have a Will - are you one of them?

In a recent report conducted by the National Wills Report 2023 it found that only 44% of adults in the UK have a Will in place. Also, the report found that the majority of Wills (58%) have been made by those over the age of 55, with more men than women making a Will.

Subsequently, 56% of adults in the UK will die without a Will, meaning their estate will pass under the intestacy rules (legal provisions set out by the government detailing who will inherit an estate). This may not accurately reflect their wishes.

Let’s talk Wills - Why is it important to have a Will?

Many people believe that their estate will automatically pass to their partner or children however this is not always the case!  

Without a Will certain family members, friends and charities may not inherit anything from your estate. By having a Will in place, you can ensure that your wishes following your death are fulfilled.

We understand that, for some, thinking about a Will may remind them of sad times or even bring them face to face with problems in their family that they feel just cannot be resolved. However, the process of writing a Will can often help in ensuring that these situations are dealt with.

A Will also nominates a person to sort out everything you own – an essential job when you consider that they will probably have to secure property, safeguard monies, pay off any debts, deal with taxes and make sure that they share out your money as you’ve stated in your Will. Further, if you have young children, a Will allows you to appoint the people who you would want to look after them.

When should I make a Will?

Every adult should have a Will in place. However, a Will is particularly important if you do not wish for your estate to pass via the intestacy provisions or if you experience a change in circumstances for example if: you buy a property, you have children or you’re going through a divorce. These life changing events can seriously affect who inherits from your estate, so it’s important to have a Will in place to protect your interests and ensure that the right people inherit.

How do I start making a Will?

At Painters Law, our wills & probate solicitors know that each person is unique and so we can tailor the Will to your specific situation. We will discuss with you a range of options and provide you with specialist advice to ensure that, by the end of the process, you’ll feel you’ve done what’s best for your loved ones.

The process is simple:

1. We will arrange a consultation either in the office or in the comfort of your own home and take your instructions;
2. We will then begin drafting your Will and send this to you to review;
3. Once the draft Will has been approved by you, we will book a further meeting with you to sign your Will;
4. We will then meet with you to sign your Will; and
5. Once the Will is signed, we will then send you a copy of your signed Will.

If you would like to speak with our Will Solicitors about writing a Will, please contact probate@painterslaw.co.uk  or give us a call on 01562 822 295.