• March 28, 2024
 Law Society Wills research show many are still unprotected

A man seated at a desk at home, working sorting through paperwork.

Law Society Wills research show many are still unprotected

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…..”

Toni Ryder-McMullin

Toni is the Media Officer for Today’s Conveyancer, Today’s Wills & Probate and Today's Family Lawyer. I worked for a law firm for 16 years, during my time at the firm I worked as a company commercial legal secretary for 7 years but changed careers and moved into marketing for the remaining 9 years – where I covered all aspects of marketing. While in the marketing role, I achieved a CIM Professional Certificate in Marketing and CAM Diploma in Digital Marketing.