The start of a New Year is a natural moment to take stock and put practical plans in place for 2026 and beyond. It is time to make or review your Will.
Despite its importance, millions of people in the UK still die without a valid Will. Only 37% of UK adults have one, leaving nearly two-thirds exposed. A New Year is a clear opportunity to move from good intentions to action.
Start the Year With Control and Certainty
A Will gives you control over what happens to your estate after death. Without one, the law decides who inherits, often in ways that do not reflect modern families, personal relationships or individual wishes.
A properly drafted Will allows you to:
- Decide who inherits your estate
- Appoint trusted executors
- Name guardians for minor children
- Provide for vulnerable beneficiaries
- Leave gifts to friends or charities
- Reduce the risk of disputes
- Exclude individuals you do not wish to benefit
Without a Will, these decisions are made for you.
Why Intestacy Still Catches So Many People Out
If you die without a Will:
- Your estate is distributed strictly according to law
- Unmarried partners receive nothing
- Stepchildren are excluded unless adopted
- Intended beneficiaries may inherit nothing
- Families face delays, stress and additional costs
For cohabiting couples, blended families and second marriages, the consequences can be particularly severe.
A New Year Reality Check
The National Wills Report 2025 highlights a persistent problem:
- 63% of adults have no Will
- 29% of people with a Will haven’t told anyone where it is
- 51% of adults don’t know where their parent’s Will is kept
Even when a Will exists, poor planning can still create uncertainty at a difficult time.
Make Reviewing Your Will Part of Your 2026 Reset
A Will should evolve as your life does. A New Year is an ideal prompt to review it, particularly if you have experienced:
- Marriage or civil partnership (which usually revokes an existing Will)
- Divorce or separation
- New relationships or remarriage
- The birth or death of family members
- Changes in property ownership or finances
As a rule, Wills should be reviewed every three to five years, even without major life events.
Modern Lives Need Modern Planning
Family life in 2026 looks very different from when intestacy rules were created. A Will is especially important if you:
- Live with a partner but are not married
- Have children from previous relationships
- Want to balance protection for a spouse with inheritance for children
- Support someone financially outside your immediate family
Clear planning at the start of the year can prevent uncertainty later. A clearly drafted, professionally prepared Will is the safest way to ensure your wishes are respected.
A Resolution That Truly Protects Others
One of the greatest benefits of an up-to-date Will is the clarity it provides. It reduces the risk of disputes, probate delays and unnecessary legal costs, easing the burden on loved ones during an already difficult time.
Practical Steps to Take Early This Year
As part of your 2026 planning:
- Make a Will if you don’t have one
- Review your existing Will to ensure it reflects your current circumstances
- Make sure it can be found by telling executors where it is stored
- Plan holistically, alongside tools such as Lasting Powers of Attorney
Final Thought
A Will is not just a document for later life—it is a practical decision that protects the people and things that matter most. With so many still unprotected, 2026 is the ideal time to start the year with clarity, confidence and peace of mind. Contact us today and we can help you.