Don’t have a will? Here’s why you need to get it off your to-do list

Jennifer Lee, an associate solicitor in our Bradford office is encouraging people to consider the risks of not having a will in place following new research revealing nearly half of UK adults aged over 30 who don’t have a will say it’s on their to-do list, with 43% saying it’s been on their to-do list for more than 12 months.

The research from The Association of Lifetime Lawyers shows that almost half (49%) of UK adults don’t have a will in place, meaning their wishes might not be carried out when they die.

The new data reveals 1 in 10 UK adults have started making a will but haven’t finished it, and nearly a third (32%) say they haven’t made a will because they don’t know how to get started. A quarter of people who have making a will on their to-do list, would prioritise watching TV over getting a will in place.

The Association of Lifetime Lawyers represents a community of the most qualified legal professionals in the UK supporting vulnerable and older people with expert advice and support.

Jennifer says these worrying findings could leave many bereaved families distressed if their loved ones haven’t communicated their wishes legally through a will.

Jennifer said: “We all know how important this type of life admin is, but this research shows just how hard people find it to get started. It doesn’t need to take a long time to prepare or update your will, especially if you have an expert to guide you through the process. And it’s time well spent, reducing the burden on your loved ones after your death, and reducing the risk of disputes that can be costly in time and money to resolve.

“Many people think they’re too young to write a will, and understandably don’t like to think about the worst that could happen, but we often have to deal with cases where a badly drafted or non-existent will has caused undue distress to those left behind.

“The research shows 21% of wills are handwritten or have handwritten amendments which could make them illegible and therefore difficult to understand. To get your will right, it’s always safest to speak to a specialist, like an Accredited Lifetime Lawyer, who can help you plan for the future and communicate your wishes in the right way.

“It’s best practice to review and update your will every five years or when a major change in your life occurs that impacts you or your loved ones, such as a marriage or civil partnership, divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership, a new birth, a death in your family, or if you or one of your beneficiaries has obtained a Gender Recognition Certificate.”

If you’re not sure where to get started with writing your will, here are some tips on things to consider.

How can Jennifer help you?

Whether you need to write a will or update an existing one, Associate Solicitor Jennifer Lee can guide you through the process and help you to put your affairs in good order so that you can have peace of mind about what will happen to your estate.

Being a full Accredited member of the Association of Lifetime Lawyers, Jennifer is able to provides specialist support and advice for older and vulnerable people, their families and their carers.

At LCF Law, we aim to work to a fixed price wherever possible and will always discuss with you what we think are your best choices and options for writing your will.

Contact Jennifer on 01274 386 988 or at ku.oc1714367800.fcl@1714367800eelj1714367800

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