Half of the UK’s adult population are getting their affairs in order and making a Will.
According to the charity, Will Aid, 50% of the survey’s respondents over the age of 18 claimed to have a valid and up to date Will.
Unfortunately, there remains a huge disparity across the UK with 58% of East Anglia making a Will whilst only 42% of people in the North West and 37% of Northern Irish adults drafting such an important and vital document.
Will Aid month in November aims to raise awareness of this issue, encouraging more people to ensure their after-life affairs are legally considered.
The charity have considered the recent celebrity cases including Prince, Aretha Franklin and Amy Winehouse to highlight the complications arising from dying intestate.
Jon Jacques, Chairman of Will Aid, said:
“There is a misconception that if you die intestate, your relatives decide how the assets are split. But when a person dies without leaving a valid will, the estate must be shared out according to the rules of intestacy.
“Only married or civil partners and some other close relatives can inherit under these rules. Failing to make a will can mean that your wealth could go to people you did not intend it to and leave your family and love ones without the provisions that you wanted.
“Events such as becoming a parent, grandparent, losing a partner, getting divorced or separated, inheriting assets and getting married are all life events that we should update our wills to reflect.
“Buying a house, large investments, the acquisition of additional properties or businesses and retirement plans should all be kept current in terms of the contents of your will.
“Failure to update changes in your circumstances can leave the loved ones you leave behind financially unprotected.”
Graham Norton, a Will Aid patron, said two experiences with death emphasized the importance of making a Will:
“On the first, my own life was threatened after I was stabbed during a mugging in Queen’s Park and lost nearly half my blood,”
“The second involved the loss of my father Billy who died shortly after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
“Both made me realise that life is too short. And both made me accept that death is very, very final. There are no comebacks, revivals or retaliations.
“A will is therefore a vital document that allows you to pass on your final wishes to the people you love most.”
Judi Dench, Will Aid patron, commentated:
“Death is always devastating but it is also inevitable.
“Making a will is a way to confront this certainty in the knowledge that, by completing the paperwork, you will be making the experience less traumatic for your loved ones.”
Have you noticed an increase in the number of UK adults making a Will in 2019?
