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21 April 2020 | Comment |

Your wishes, your will – How COVID-19 is leading to a surge in enquiries


It’s a shocking fact that the UK death toll from coronavirus is still rising. Most of those dying are over the age of 65, but there are also many reported cases of young people – some with no underlying health conditions. No-one is immune from the virus. While it may be a sensitive subject, the legal aspects around death – will-making and probate – have been brought into sharp focus at this time.

In April, the National Will Register has reported an increase in people searching for wills during the COVID-19 crisis due to the death of loved ones.
According to data provided by Google, the number of searches for “online wills” has skyrocketed by over 400% since March. Here at Hugh James, we’ve also noticed a surge in the number of enquiries around making and updating wills and dealing with someone’s legal and tax affairs after they’ve died.

It’s probably fair to say that the outbreak has led to people wanting to put their affairs in order – whether that’s through fear of what’s happening in the world right now, or because it’s a job some people have always intended to do and now have more time at home to attend to it.

Whatever the reasons, it’s been a bit of a wake-up call for many. No-one likes to talk about it, but it’s really important to be prepared, to protect your loved ones after you’ve died and to ensure that your estate is dealt with in the way you choose.

Even in this time of social distancing, there are some simple steps you can take to put your wishes in your will – whether that’s online or over the phone.

At Hugh James, we have a large, diverse and experienced team of specialist wills advisers who can help you. You can find out more about our will-writing services and how to get in touch with us on the wills section of our website.

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Disclaimer: The information on the Hugh James website is for general information only and reflects the position at the date of publication. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be treated as such. If you would like to ensure the commentary reflects current legislation, case law or best practice, please contact the blog author.

 

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