Make a Will Your Priority in 2025 | Curtis Parkinson

Make a Will Your Priority in 2025

7 January, 2025 3 minutes reading time


Protecting your loved ones is a year-round responsibility. However, the New Year offers a unique opportunity to ensure your family is looked after by making a Will one of your top priorities.  While joining a gym and adopting healthy eating habits are undoubtedly worthwhile, making or updating your Will should be at the top of your list in 2025.

Discussing wills may not be the most cheerful way to start the year, but securing your family’s future and ensuring your wishes are respected is arguably the most important gift you can give. However, recent studies reveal that a staggering 56% of adults in the UK don’t have a Will, meaning intestacy laws will distribute their assets, which may not align with their wishes.

Why a Will is a Priority in Today’s World

Making a Will should be a priority for several reasons:

Protect Your Partner

In the UK, the number of couples cohabiting has more than doubled in the last 30 years, and this number is steadily rising. It’s crucial to remember that without a Will, co-habiting partners have no automatic inheritance rights. By creating a Will, you ensure your partner receives what you intend.

Safeguard Your Children

This is particularly important if you have children from a previous relationship, stepchildren, or young children who may need guardians appointed. A Will protects their future.

Prevent Family Disputes

Sadly, inheritance disputes reaching the courts have more than doubled in the past decade. However, a professionally prepared Will can help prevent family disputes and legal battles over your estate. By specifying your wishes in a Will, you provide clarity and peace of mind for your loved ones, ensuring your legacy is handled with respect and care.

Beyond these crucial protections, a Will also ensures a smooth transition for your business, allowing it to continue operating in your absence. It also empowers you to support your favourite causes by including charitable donations, ensuring you leave a lasting legacy behind.

Don’t Forget – Life Changes – So Should Your Will!

Marriage, divorce, the arrival of a new baby, or a change in financial circumstances can significantly impact your Will. If you already have one, review it regularly and make updates as needed. Remember, remarriage automatically revokes an existing Will, so don’t leave your affairs to chance!

A Word of Caution About DIY Online Wills

While tempting for convenience and low cost, DIY online Will kits come with significant risks. STEP‘s most recent survey revealed serious problems with DIY online Wills. Over 79% of users encountered issues like unclear instructions, hidden fees, or difficulties proving the Will’s validity.

Mistakes in drafting can invalidate your will, creating a legal headache for your loved ones. Unregulated providers are common online, so you might encounter unqualified assistance. And unlike an experienced specialist lawyer, online kits can’t offer personalised advice, leaving you vulnerable to costly errors.

Our Advice

Make 2025 the year you take control of your legacy. Making a Will isn’t just about distributing assets. It’s about providing security and peace of mind for everyone you care about. Drawing up a Will may seem morbid or intimidating at first. But once it’s settled, you will be relieved knowing your affairs are in order and you have appointed someone you trust as your executor.

Don’t delay – contact us today for an instant quote and start securing your family’s future. We’re here to help!

Please note that all views, comments or opinions expressed are for information only and do not constitute and should not be interpreted as being comprehensive or as giving legal advice. No one should seek to rely or act upon, or refrain from acting upon, the views, comments or opinions expressed herein without first obtaining specialist, professional or independent advice. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, Curtis Parkinson cannot be held liable for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies.

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