The National Wills Report 2025, compiled by The National Will Register, has just been published and makes for some interesting reading regarding how we approach death and estate planning in the UK. The report is based on the responses of over 2000 people surveyed in August 2025. Here are some of the highlights:
Wills – motivations and uptake
Of those surveyed, 37% had made a Will, which is noticeably less than previous reports (usually around 50%). The researchers attribute this to the younger generations not being as concerned about having a Will as they get older. Just over 30% of 25–54-year-olds have a Will in place, with that percentage jumping to over 55% of over 55-year-olds.
According to the authors, 34% of adults plan to write a Will within the next 12 months, which would equate to 17 million Wills. Unfortunately, Wills are often left languishing on ‘To Do’ lists, and if not careful, forgotten until it is too late.
Of those who have made a Will, 43% chose to work with a solicitor, compared to just 14% using a DIY kit. This highlights the continued preference for professional legal guidance when creating these crucial documents, with people clearly recognising the complexity and importance of getting their Will correctly drafted.
Ensuring their estate was distributed correctly and according to their wishes, as well as financial considerations, continued to be the leading drivers for the drafting of Wills and codicils (which can be used to update/amend existing Wills). Many who write a Will are aware that the rules of intestate succession might not mirror their own wishes, and so a desire for clarity and control over what happens to their assets after death is a great motivator.
Not knowing how to make a Will
One concern mentioned in the survey is that 25% of people do not know how to make a Will, which deters them from the process. The researchers surmise that reassurance regarding accuracy and security remains a significant concern, and that estate planning behaviour is influenced less by availability and more by confidence in getting the process right.
Our team of specialist Wills, Trusts and Estate Administration solicitors is here to help people avoid the pitfalls and risks that can come with DIY Wills. Our role includes not only drafting Wills but educating our clients about Wills, how they might be used, and the issues surrounding gifts, Trusts, charitable legacies, etc, so they have all the information they need to make well-reasoned decisions and have the confidence that their Will is valid.
Updating a Will
In the survey, 43% of respondents said they would amend their Will following a change in financial circumstances. The Law Society recommends reviewing your Will at least once every 5 years to ensure it is still valid and reflects your current circumstances and wishes, so any Wills made in 2020 or before could do with checking. Events that may result in your Will requiring amendment include:
- The birth or adoption of children or grandchildren in your family or their coming-of-age
- Changes in relationships for you and/or your family, such as marriages, cohabitations, divorces, or separations
- The mental and physical health, or death, of a beneficiary, executor, or guardian
- Changes in your financial circumstances, such as an increase or decrease in the value of your assets e.g., the purchase or sale of property, an inheritance, or a windfall
- Changes in your wishes regarding who you would like, or not like, to benefit from your estate
It is important to note that you cannot amend your Will after it has been signed and witnessed; doing so would invalidate it. You can only alter your Will through an official Codicil (for additions or minor amendments), which a solicitor can draft for you. If the amendments are more significant, a new Will may have to be drawn up to ensure it is still valid and that it revokes all previous Wills and Codicils.
Will storage
Alarmingly, 29% of people with a Will have not told anyone where to find it. We sometimes receive calls from relatives telephoning a list of local law firms to find if their loved one had drafted a Will with us, because they don’t know where it is or who drafted it. This frantic search for such crucial documents adds stress and delays at an already difficult time.
At THP Solicitors, we provide our clients with handy cards to put in their wallets that state we have details of their Wills and Lasting Power of Attorney (LPAs). We also provide professional storage and can facilitate the registration of a Will at the online National Wills Register if the client wishes. The National Will Register is the UK’s Will search and registration service with over 10.5 million searchable Wills in the system.
Discussions about death and estate planning
One of the most encouraging findings in the report centred on attitudes towards discussing death and estate planning. Nearly four in five adults (79%) now say they are comfortable talking about death. Yet a significant 1 in 3 have never discussed what should happen after their death, meaning many families may still be left without crucial guidance at the very moment they need it most.
At THP Solicitors, we understand that money and death are two topics some people feel uncomfortable talking about with others. However, considering and discussing these issues can actually give you peace of mind that you have plans in place and can be helpful in planning for your future and those of your loved ones.
Our Wills, Trusts & Estate Administration team has written a ‘Guide to Death & Taxes’ that can be downloaded for free from our website. It covers many of the issues you may need to consider, so you can understand the implications, have chats with those you need to, and put plans in place. The guide can also be a useful prop to help open up discussions with loved ones and ensure the main issues are considered.
You can find the full details of The National Wills Report here https://www.nationalwillregister.co.uk/app/uploads/2025/09/The-National-Wills-Report-2025.pdf
Contact our Wills, Trusts & Estate Administration team today to tick those niggling things on ‘Life’s To Do List’, like making or updating a Will or drafting Lasting Powers of Attorney. You can reach our friendly team in Lower Earley, Reading on T: 0118 975 6622 or Henley-on-Thames on T: 01491 570 900.