Experts urge Britons to make Wills before it is too late

Posted 19/01/2011

Britons have been urged by two experts to ensure they have appropriate Wills in place before they die.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Sue Medder and businessman Sir Gerry Robinson – from TV series Can’t Take It With You – said as many as one in seven people are now dying intestate, meaning their final wishes may not be met.

Ms Medder said some people put off having a Will drawn up because they think it will be too upsetting, but she insisted that it is a crucial process.

“Talking it through is the way to avoid a lot of heartache and distress,” she commented.

Sir Gerry added that “things don’t take care of themselves”, particularly if there is a second or stepfamily involved, suggesting that people should seek the advice of specialist solicitors to make a Will as soon as they can.

This advice is echoed by Age UK volunteer Loretta Earle, who highlighted in the York Press the case of a 92-year-old man she looked after who never got around to making his Will.

Edwin Nottingham has no relatives, so his estate will go to the Treasury instead of the charities he wanted it to, she explained.