“I’m not that old yet, I don’t have to have one.” “I don’t have enough time to think about it right now.” "I don't need one, I don't have many possessions." “It’s too much hassle.” “It’s too expensive.”
Sound familiar? Many people have excuses for not wanting to write a will, or many genuinely don’t give it a second thought in their everyday life. Writing a will has been portrayed as scary and daunting or sad and depressing, leading many people to put off writing one. But there is nothing to fear when organising your future and getting your affairs in order, and writing a will is the first step you need to take.
Accordingly to recent research by Macmillan Cancer Support, it’s now been recorded that nearly 50% of Britons over the age of 55 don’t have a will, and up to 1.5 million people admit that they haven’t updated theirs since writing their first one. 1 in 10 people admitted that they haven’t added in their children or grandchildren to theirs and 1 in 5 wills still include an ex or late partner.
With a change in your circumstances or changes in legislation, by not updating your will you run the risk of your family not benefitting from any inheritance or estate you intended for them.
Barry McDonough, Solicitor specialising in Wills at Jackson Lees, comments:
“Writing a Will is something a lot of people do not want to think about so they put it off. However, if you do not prepare a Will, the law dictates who is entitled to receive anything you own and this could be someone you have not spoken to for many years.
If you have young children it is also a good idea to make a Will to appoint a guardian to look after your children if anything happens to you before they turn 18. Making a Will gives you peace of mind and can take some of the stress away from your loved ones during an already difficult time.”
Starting a conversation about ageing and finances will undoubtedly be at the bottom of people’s lists of things to do. However, talking about your future finances and the way you want yourself and your estate to be dealt with is vital in ensuring your wishes are carried out.
Start planning your future today and give yourself peace of mind. If you would like any more advice regarding Wills and LPA’s, please click here for a call back or message us your enquiry.