Making a will is probably the single most important thing you can do in your life to ensure the future financial security of your family.
Dying without a will is known as intestacy and means you leave your estate to be distributed in line with ancient rules about inheritance.
Making a will is not particularly expensive, although it does require a little thought and advice about your choices.
According to some new research, more than half of adults in the UK have not made a will.
The proportion of those destined to die intestate among the older generations has risen significantly during the past four years.
The poll of 2,000 adults by Unbiased.co.uk and the National Will Register, found that 58% of the adult population in the UK does not have a will in place.
This is about the same proportion as four years ago, but the proportion aged 50 to 59 has risen from 41% to 54% during that time.
The message does however seem to be getting through to the younger generation. Those aged 20 to 29 years old have gone from 88% without a will in 2009 to 83% without a will today; still far too many who risk dying intestate, but a step in the right direction.
There is little sense in waiting until you are older to make a will.
Dying without one in place is something that can happen at any time, often resulting in even greater expense and heartache for those you leave behind.
Next month is Will Aid which offers the opportunity for people to make a quality basic Will with a local participating solicitor in return for a donation to good causes.
With a suggested donation of just £90 to write a basic will, there is no excuse not to get one in place.
