Why Many People Still Don’t Write a Will

18th March 2026

Why Many People Still Don’t Write a Will is something that often comes up when talking about estate planning.

Done properly, a will protects family members and gives clear inheritance wishes, but still a large number of people in the UK don’t have one.

Recent research suggests cost, complacency and worries about family conflict are among the main reasons people are putting it off.

The result is many families could face confusion and disputes after someone dies. Planning ahead can prevent much of that potential stress.

So, how many people in the UK don’t have a will?

Research carried out among UK adults aged 30+ shows nearly half of adults say they haven’t written a will yet.

Among the 45 to 54 age group, the number is even higher. Almost three in five people in this age group don’t have a will.

This means many estates end up being handled under the rules of intestacy, which decide who inherits when there is no valid will.

These rules don’t always reflect what someone would have wanted.

Is cost a common reason people delay writing a will?

Writing a will can be expensive.

More than half of respondents in the research said cost played a role in their decision to write or update a will.

In reality, the cost of preparing a will can be far lower than the potential legal fees and family disputes that happen when someone dies without one.

Estate planning is all about preventing these problems before they occur.

What encourages complacency and putting off writing a will?

Another common reason people delay writing a will is simple procrastination.

A large number of younger adults say they have “never really thought about it”.

Even among people in their 40s and 50s, many admit they haven’t got around to arranging a will.

Estate planning can often feel like a non-urgent thing to deal with later.

Life as always changing quickly though. Property ownership, children and marriage can all affect how an estate should be distributed.

Family disputes are becoming more common

Lawyers working in the inheritance dispute sector report that contested estates have increased in recent years.

These disagreements can arise for many reasons.

Unequal inheritance between children, blended family situations or unclear wording in a will can all lead to conflict. As we’ve seen above, often there’s just no will at all.

Why should estate planning matter?

A properly written will gives clear instructions about how your estate should be handled.

It can also clear up misunderstandings among family members during an already emotional time.

Regularly reviewing your will is also important. Life changes over time and it may mean the document needs updating.

But estate planning is not only about inheritance.

It’s also about planning for situations where you may lose the ability to make decisions during your lifetime.

What role does a Lasting Power of Attorney play

Alongside a will, creating an LPA using a service like Power of Attorney Online is really important.

It allows trusted people to make financial or healthcare decisions if you lose mental capacity.

Without one, family members may need to apply to the Court of Protection to gain authority over decision making for their incapacitated friend or relative.

Putting both documents in place at the same time is a sensible move.

Planning today protects your family tomorrow

Estate planning doesn’t need to be complicated, but you do need to do it.

Writing a will and arranging a Lasting Power of Attorney concurrently ensure your wishes are clear and legally recognised during your life and when you pass away.

Most importantly, it reduces the risk of confusion, stress and family disputes in the future.