In view of Update Your Will Week (3 to 9 March)*, the Law Society encourages the public to make and update their will ensuring that personal wishes are carried out in the desired way.
A Law Society survey has found that 11% of people in England and Wales said that in the last four years they’d dealt with the estate of someone who died.
Of those who dealt with an estate, 26% report that they experienced a problem or dispute as part of it.** Additionally, 52% do not have a will in place at all.***
Updating a will every five years, or when a major change occurs, eases the probate process for beneficiaries when their loved one passes away.
The process of wills is set to change as the Law Commission is expected to publish its long-awaited report on will reform in April 2025 alongside a draft Will Bill. The bill is set to lead to the modernisation of wills ensuring that they remain fit for purpose in a modern-day context.
Law Society of England and Wales president Richard Atkinson said: “Will modernisation is long overdue. The Law Society expects long-awaited reforms in key areas such as electronic wills.
“As positive inroads have been made to probate service performance, with outstanding cases at their lowest since early 2023, the Law Society will continue to influence further improvements through our Professional Probate User Group****. Grieving loved ones deserve a clear probate process, made easier with an updated will.”
The National Will Register*****, a valued partner working with the Law Society for nearly 20 years, commented: “In our experience of helping testators, executors and probate practitioners, we understand the importance of not only making a will, but ensuring it reflects current wishes and can be found when it is needed.
“Digital tools such as will registration ensures that loved ones and executors can locate the will when it is needed and enhance archive management for law firms and probate practitioners.”
***According to Censuswide research commissioned by the Association of Lifetime Lawyers in January 2025. 2,002 UK adults aged 30+ were surveyed.
****The Law Society formed the user group in 2018 due to the increasing delays. It reviews service performance and shares feedback directly with HM Courts and Tribunals Services. The group consists of:
HMCTS
the Law Society
Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)
the Association of Lifetime Lawyers
Institute of Legacy Management (ILM)
Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx)
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
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