ARTICLE

Solicitors in the South East encouraged to help nearly two-thirds of adults without an up-to-date Will by joining 2024 Will Aid campaign

Solicitors now have the chance to help the staggering 64% of adults in the South East who either don’t have a Will or have one that’s out-of-date, by taking part in this year’s Will Aid campaign

The poll by the Will-writing charity, which surveyed more than 2,000 people across the country, found 55% in the region haven’t made a Will, and 9% admitted theirs did not reflect their current wishes.

Open for sign-ups

Now’s the time for solicitor firms to sign up to participate in this year’s Will Aid campaign – which brings a host of opportunities including helping thousands of people who don’t have a Will, attracting new clients, boosting their reach and helping seven of the UK’s best-loved charities too.

Will Aid is an annual charity Will-writing scheme that sees hundreds of solicitors volunteer their time and expertise during the month of November to write basic Wills. Instead of charging their usual fees, they invite clients to make an upfront donation to Will Aid. Donations raised through the campaign support the vital work of the seven Will Aid charities.

It has been running since 1988 and has encouraged more than 350,000 people to write their Will with a regulated and insured solicitor and, in so doing has raised more than £24 million in donations, and many millions more in pledged legacies.

Worrying figures

Will Aid’s latest poll showed financial pressures seem to be holding people back. Of all those polled, 21% cited the cost of instructing a solicitor as the reason they haven’t sorted a Will.

Other reasons included believing they had nothing worth leaving (27%), never finding the time (18.5%), feeling uncomfortable talking about death (16%) and concerns about the process being too complicated (16%).

Nationally, the average time since people last updated their Wills is six years, with nearly 20% admitting they’ve never updated theirs.

Only a third (34%) of those surveyed have updated their Will in the past three years.

Parents with children over 18 last updated their Wills an average of seven and a half years ago, while those with under 18s averaged four and a half years.

A massive need

Peter de Vena Franks, Will Aid Campaign Director, said: “These statistics on the lack of a Will – or an outdated Will – are worrying, and show the scale of need out there.

“Thousands of people need support and the reassurance of speaking to someone who is qualified to draw up their legal documents properly.

“We’d encourage any firm who is interested in taking part to find out more. It’s a brilliant way to not only help those who genuinely need support, as well as raising money for charity – but joining Will Aid also expands your reach for potential clients, is a fantastic tool to boost your own team’s morale, and a rewarding way to help your local community and beyond.”

The annual Will Aid campaign sees solicitors across the UK volunteering their time to write Wills throughout November.

Will Aid is a partnership between the legal profession and seven of the UK’s best-loved charities.

The initiative, which has been running for more than 30 years, sees participating solicitors waive their fee for writing basic Wills every November.

Will Aid is a win-win initiative for solicitors. For more information on how to join, visit the Will Aid website at www. willaid.org.uk/register or call 0300 0300 013