Two in three UK adults have no up-to-date will, survey finds
Nearly a third of people without a will say they simply don't think they have anything worth leaving, according to new research for the charity Will Aid.
A national poll of almost 2,000 people, commissioned by the charity Will Aid, has found that 67% of UK adults either have no will at all or one that no longer reflects their wishes. Some 57% have never made a will, while a further 10% admit their existing one is out of date.
Among the 1,151 respondents who had not made a will, the most common reason, given by 29%, was a belief that they had nothing worth leaving behind. Cost and simply not finding the time were each cited by 19%, while 18% said they found the subject of death too uncomfortable to think about, and 14% were put off by the perceived complexity of the process. Worryingly, 44% said they were unlikely to write a will within the next year.
Peter de Vena Franks, campaign director at Will Aid, said a will is about far more than the value of what is left behind, adding that it protects the people you care about and makes difficult decisions easier for loved ones at a distressing time.
Based on reporting by Today's Wills and Probate (11 September 2026). Information only, not advice.
Information only. This is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice, and not a personal recommendation. Tax rules depend on your individual circumstances and can change. Please speak to a qualified, FCA-regulated adviser or a solicitor before acting.