The Will Writing Wake-Up Call: 1 in 4 Don’t Know Where to Start

The much-anticipated National Will Register annual will writing report was published recently, and as ever, its findings make for interesting reading.

Whilst the headlines will no doubt focus on the statistic that just 37% of the 2,000 adults surveyed actually had a will in place, there are other interesting insights and trends emerging, such as 36% of people being comfortable with the concept of having a ‘digital will’.

Changing Attitudes to Will Writing in the UK

In fact, the report covers plenty of traditional and more technology-led questions around will writing in the UK, highlighting how attitudes and expectations are beginning to change. That said, over half of those with a will had used the services of either a solicitor or a will writer, with just 14% relying on a ‘DIY’ will writing option.

Perhaps as expected, older generations were more likely to have succession plans in place, with only 20% of respondents aged 18 to 24 currently holding a will. Although the overall number of people with a will decreased compared to the previous year, 34% of respondents said they intended to write one within the next 12 months – a significant proportion.

Maybe the most worrying aspect of the report was the fact that 25% of people advised that they didn’t actually know how to write a will. This suggests that despite continued efforts to raise awareness of will writing across the country, some were still not getting – or listening to – the message.

More positively, the report revealed a noticeable increase in the amount of people now comfortable in talking about death with their loved ones, representing a sizeable 8% increase against last year.

Lastly, on the question of where a will is stored, 25% said that they kept their will at home, with half giving the responsibility to their solicitor or will writer. Rather worryingly, 29% of people haven’t told anyone where their will is stored.

The link to download this report directly can be found here: https://www.oneadvanced.com/campaigns/legal/the-national-wills-report-2025/

How Anglia Research Can Help

As a probate genealogy firm, we can of course assist in cases where there is a will AND where there is not.

𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹: We can trace missing beneficiaries who have been named in a will that can’t be located, whether that’s a straightforward address check or a more complex case requiring international research.

𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮 𝘄𝗶ll: We are extremely well-versed in dealing with intestate matters. We offer probate practitioners help and assistance, whether verifying a family tree and establishing entitlement, or giving other support around the rules of intestacy.

Do get in contact us to find out more.