Common Excuses for not making a Will

A recent market research survey of over 2000 UK adults found that 65% of respondents did not have a will. Amongst the common excuses were :

“I’m too young to think about dying” 
Unfortunately tragic accidents do happen. Do you really want everything you own to be distributed according to a fixed legal formula? It is particularly important to write or amend your will if you get married or start a new civil partnership, and to appoint potential guardians when you have children.

“I don’t have anything to leave” 
But you probably do own a few treasured items that you would like to be passed on to specific relatives or friends. Without a will they will be sold (probably very cheaply) and any money used to pay legal costs or distributed according to an official formula.

“I don’t have the time” 
Organising a will is straightforward and only takes a few hours of your time. It will save your family and friends much more time, trouble and expense after your death. It will also provide you with an opportunity to take stock of your life and possessions, and decide on future priorities.

“It’s too expensive to make a will” 
Straightforward wills cost less than £100 from expert solicitors. At times you may find solicitors running special offers with reduced rates, or where you can make a donation to charity in place of their fee. If you are elderly and on a very low income you may be able to benefit from Legal Aid. Some charities subsidise wills for certain groups of people (e.g. those over 55).

 “Thinking about dying makes me uncomfortable” 
The old adage says “There are only two certainties in life – death and taxes!” If we care for those we love, we need to prepare for what is bound to happen at some unknown time in the future.

“I haven’t decided how my estate should be divided yet” 
Your wishes (and your family/friends’ needs) will probably evolve over time as your circumstances change. But you can easily work out an appropriate sharing of your estate if you were unexpectedly to die in the next few months. After that, review your will say every five years or when major life events happen (eg marriage/co-habitation, birth of a child or grandchild) and make simple adjustments as necessary.

“My partner will get it all anyway”
Not necessarily! Married spouses may not get everything, especially if there are children or the estate includes a property. Partners who are not legally married (or do not have a legally registered civil partnership) may get nothing.

"Everyone knows what I want to happen" 
Without a written will that has been properly witnessed, the Courts will decide how any estate is to be distributed according to a fixed legal formula that almost certainly differs from what you really want.

If any of these apply to you, click here for six simple steps on how to go about making or reviewing your will.