Why it matters: The importance of having a will has been thrust into the spotlight following revelations that One Direction star Liam Payne died aged 31 without a will, leaving his £24m estate in legal limbo.
A will gives certainty and protects what matters most by ensuring your wishes are followed and your assets go to the right people, preventing families from facing confusion, conflict or legal obstacles. Without a will, valuable assets including digital accounts and cryptocurrency risk being lost or misused.
The research: In a survey of 111 people in Suffolk conducted by local law firm Ellisons, only 47% of men and 59% of women had valid wills.
The research also uncovered alarming gaps in planning around digital assets, with only 18% of men and 14% of women with wills in Suffolk having addressed social media accounts, cloud storage, and cryptocurrency – assets that risk being lost or misused without proper planning.
What they're saying: Nicola Weldon, Partner and Head of Private Client at Ellisons, said:
It's deeply concerning that so many Suffolk residents, particularly men, are putting off writing a will. We hear too many stories of families left with confusion, conflict or legal obstacles when a loved one dies without clear instructions in place.
What's especially worrying is the lack of attention to digital assets. Most of us have valuable or sensitive information stored online: photos, documents, emails, social accounts, crypto wallets, and yet few people make plans for them. If these assets aren't considered as part of the will-writing process, they risk being lost or misused.
The bottom line: "Writing a will is one of the most important things you can do for your family," Weldon concluded. "It gives certainty, protects what matters most and ensures your wishes are followed. It's not just for the elderly or wealthy, it's essential for everyone."
