Last year, almost 13,000 people had solicitors make their will during Will Aid. This year, you can join them and protect your assets and your family, whilst donating to a range of great causes:

  • Actionaid
  • Age UK
  • British Red Cross
  • Christian Aid
  • NSPCC
  • Save The Children
  • SCIAF
  • Sightsavers
  • Trocaire

Many adults in the UK have still not written a will:

  • 83% of 19-34-year-olds
  • 32% of 35-54- year-olds
  • 25% of over-55s

Whilst it is clearly less of a priority for younger people, this means, overall, almost half of UK adults have not protected their assets, wealth and property, and their loved ones will feel the strain, should they become seriously ill, or die suddenly.

We know that you probably haven’t intentionally delayed writing your will, but with Will Aid 2017 just around the corner, no excuse is going to cut it this time.

Sorting out your will is one of those things that you push out of your mind and build up to be a bigger task than it is. In reality, your Will Aid appointment will last less than half a day. And, once it’s done, you can relax knowing that everything is taken care of, should you fall ill or die.

Now, we know that contemplating your own mortality is not a pleasant thing, but it is part of life. Once you have your wishes in writing and have determined what will happen to your estate, dependents and belongings, we promise you can go back to living life to the full again.

What your will does for you

A will has three important functions:

  • It means that however you wish your wealth, property and belongings to be passed on, is how it will happen.
  • It dictates what happens to the children or dependents in your care at the time of your death
  • It saves your family and loved ones from lengthy legal and government processes, which will not always end in a decision you agree with

If you die without having made a will, your possessions will be distributed according to the ‘rules of intestacy’, which may end up benefitting the wrong people. A good example of intestacy laws going against a person’s wishes, is when a separated or divorced person inherits their former spouse’s estate, when the deceased would have wanted it to go to their current partner instead.

The same is true for children and dependents. The government will step in and make decisions on their care and living situation, without considering the family’s feelings, unless instructions are left in writing before you pass away.

A will also provides you with peace of mind. Knowing that your wishes will be carried out in the event of your death, or if you were to fall ill, is an important part of your mental wellbeing. In other words, you sleep better knowing these things are taken care of.

About Will Aid

Throughout November, solicitors across the UK will be offering to complete both basic single wills and pairs of basic mirror wills, whilst inviting you to make a voluntary donation to Will Aid instead of paying the usual fees for that service.

The suggested donations are:

  • £95 for a basic single will
  • £150 for a pair of basic mirror wills

…If you still need a reason to write your will this year, think of it as an early Christmas present to yourself and your family.

Find your nearest participating solicitor by clicking here.

Plan your will using Will Aid’s will planner.

Read more about Will Aid here.