Young adults in Lincolnshire encouraged to write wills earlier in life
Lincolnshire legal expert tells us the changes she's seen in will writing
As the trend of young adults writing wills grows, Lincolnshire's legal professionals are actively encouraging more individuals to consider securing their future through estate planning.
Lincolnshire legal expert Helen Claydon, from Haig Legal Group, based in Lincoln, says there's been a 300% increase in people under the age of 34 seeking legal support to write their wills.
Helen explains that this rise in young people writing their wills early on is due to the increase in social media.
She said: "There are more platforms out there now so there's more discussions being prompted amongst younger people. There have especially been some big cases which have highlighted the need to have estate planning in place".
The legal advice from Helen explains that there is a misconception where young adults don't understand their partner can't inherit their belongings if they're not married.
Helen said: "We've seen a massive increase in cohabiting couples over the last few years, and a lot of people don't understand that if you are unmarried, your partner is not legally entitled to inherit anything if you pass away without a will in place".
The perception of writing a will as daunting and morbid is being challenged as more accessible services emerge, providing relief rather than complexity, according to Helen.
"At the end of the process, there's almost like a relief that they've done it, that they've got their plans in place," she said, emphasizing that it doesn’t have to be a difficult process.
Case studies, such as the ongoing estate issues following the death of Liam Payne, bring attention to the consequences of dying without a will. Payne's situation saw his estate become the responsibility of his ex-partner, highlighting outdated rules that don't reflect modern family dynamics.
For young adults in Lincolnshire and beyond, taking the step to write a will is framed as an empowering decision, protecting their assets and ensuring peace of mind for future generations.