A recent report has revealed that over half of British adults have yet to discuss what should happen to their estate on their death.
The National Wills Report, released by The National Will Register, found that 53% of adults haven’t even broached this important topic.
The report is an annual assessment of UK attitudes towards Will-writing, probate, and estate planning, based on responses from 2,008 adults across the country.
The National Will Register publishes these findings each year to highlight key trends, encouraging public awareness about estate planning while helping professionals understand the hurdles around Will-writing and probate.
Willingness to discuss, but barriers remain
The report found that although over half remain silent about their estate plans, 71% of respondents expressed they would feel comfortable discussing these details with loved ones.
However, over a quarter noted that significant people in their lives—such as spouses, partners, children, and other family members—were either unprepared or hesitant to have these conversations.
Furthermore, 15% of respondents said they felt no need to talk about what would happen to their estate, indicating reluctance to talk about this topic.
Just over half of UK adults have a Will
Currently, around 53% of UK adults have a Will. Among those with children, only about 24.5% have discussed their estate plans directly with their offspring.
In some cases, however, two in five respondents reported being informed of the location of their parents’ Will, suggesting this conversation often remains limited to practical logistics rather than specific contents.
The need for open conversations on Estate Planning
Even for divorced or widowed parents, only a slight increase to 37% was noted in those who have discussed their estate plans with their children.
Meanwhile, approximately a quarter of Wills are held by third parties other than the original solicitor, which could cause potential confusion in the event of a death.
Why use Oakwood Solicitors Ltd?
At Oakwood Solicitors Ltd, we are here to support and guide you through the Will-drafting and estate planning process. We know it can often be difficult to talk about, but we are here to ensure your estate is left how you wish when you are no longer here.
Without a valid Will in place, your assets may not be distributed how you had hoped or may cause further issues for loved ones further down the line.
Our dedicated team of solicitors are here to take away the burden and make it as simple as possible.
Our team has gained an excellent reputation amongst local organisations and their client-base for delivering a personal and compassionate service.
As an SRA regulated firm, we pride ourselves on having a high standard of customer service and making all our current and potential clients feel at ease when making any decisions regarding their future wishes.
What services do we offer?
At Oakwood Solicitors we can assist with most legal matters relating to Wills, Trusts, Lasting Power of Attorney and Trusts. Get in touch today for a free consultation to find out how we can help you.
Further reading
Wills – Oakwood Solicitors
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Christina Taylor joined Oakwood in 2023 as Deputy Head of the Wills and Probate Department.
Christina has over 20 years’ experience in her previous firm and qualified as a Specialist Paralegal in…
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