The Law Society has recently released research that finds that the majority of Britons have not made a will.
“The research revealed that 73% of 16-54 year olds don’t have a will, while 64% of people over the age of 55 have made their final wishes clear in a will.”
Many people wait for something drastic to happen in their lives before contemplating making a will. The research found that one person made a will after nearly dying in a holiday swimming pool.
Other people see taking this step as a way of “tempting fate” when in fact the completion of this process provides peace of mind that you know your estate will pass to your loved ones and that they have one less thing to worry about in what may be a distressing time.
Some people feel that they are too young to make a will when in reality it could be the perfect time to consider it.
A will is the only chance that you may have for peace of mind that your children will be provided for. There are many provisions that you can make in your will to ensure that your children are looked after. If they are under 18 you may appoint a guardian to look after your children. If you have not done this then a family member may find themselves having to make an application to court to enable them to look after your child. You can also stipulate at what age you would be happy for them to inherit and allow them to reside in the family home for a specified time or for as long as they desire. A will can allow your executors to provide money for your children for such things as education and health prior to the age of inheritance.
Furthermore many people do not realise that there is a significant chance that by not making a will you run the risk of your estate passing to a relative that you may not have wanted to benefit from. If you have not made a will your property will be distributed according to the Intestacy Rules. Again the research found that a person made their will as they did not want their estranged wife to inherit anything.
It is a painless process and there are a number of other matters that should be considered when making a Will, such as care fee planning.
If you have made a will previously then it is important to keep this under review as circumstances in the law may change and you may need to speak with someone to find out how it affects you. It is also advisable to change your will when ever anything major happens in the family or finances.
Some people do not think it is necessary to make a will if they have no close family, but if you do not make a will you should consider whether you are happy for the crown to benefit from your estate. Would it be better to make a will and make provisions for friends or even charities that you have a close connection to?
If you are considering making a Will or would like to review and update your existing will please contact the Wills & Probate team at Watson Ramsbottom Solicitors on 01254 88 44 22 or email stuart.maher@watsonramsbottom.com.
You can also click here to find further information about making a will and read about the free Estate Planning Report Service for our clients.