Getting your affairs in order

A recent survey undertaking by the Law Society shows how people have put their affairs in order during the first COVID lockdown.

New research unveiled today by the Law Society shows 7% of respondents made or updated their will during the first UK-wide COVID-19 lockdown but many have yet to put their affairs in order.

“The coronavirus pandemic has made people reflect on how vital it is to make sure their loved ones are taken care of if they were to die,” said Law Society of England and Wales president David Greene.

A Law Society survey, which took place just after the first lockdown restrictions began to ease, showed that well over half (59%) of those surveyed said they did not have a will. Just 29% said they have an up-to-date will which reflects their current intentions.

7% of all respondents and 6% of those who identified as keyworkers made or updated their will during the first UK lockdown – given how many people do not have a will, this is a striking shift.

Over half of those surveyed who were working during the first UK lockdown, said they were a key worker. Key workers are at a higher risk throughout this pandemic and are often more conscious of mortality due to working with those who have COVID-19.

The main reasons respondents gave for not making a will were not having anything of value to leave to their loved ones (24%), not finding the time to make a will (20%) and thinking they were too young to make a will (18%).*.

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