'Plan your exit like a celebrity' - why young people are being encouraged to write wills

The Will Aid campaign motivates young professionals to draft wills, incorporating personal messages and digital assets. Kate Davis, 31, started her will after her father's death, emphasizing the importance of expressing love for family. Sam Grice, whose mother passed away in a car accident, advocates for better communication about wills among millennials. A National Wills Report indicates that 25% of individuals feel unprepared to write a will, while 29% of those with a will have not disclosed its location. Interestingly, nearly 40% of people aged 30 to 39 leave gifts to charity in their wills, reflecting a shift in priorities.

Experts attribute this trend to societal changes, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which has made discussions surrounding death more common. Emily Deane from the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners highlights the inclusion of digital assets in wills as a growing trend among younger generations. Overall, the evolving landscape of will writing showcases a more personal and inclusive approach to end-of-life planning.