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Writer's picturePhil Steventon

Is the novel coronavirus pandemic making us think more about our final wishes?

So at the time of writing this, the world has been turned upside down! We're in the midst of a nationwide lockdown with movements restricted. Routines are shaken up, which may be causing a great deal of concern and distress to us, in particular members of the neurodiverse community. Our usual hangouts have disappeared, albeit temporarily.


For some of us who are very distressed at the state of the world right now, we are anxious, and not just people like myself who suffer from anxiety. For some of us, we don't know what to do to occupy our time.


But we can take comfort in the knowledge that we are playing our part in reducing the spread of this novel coronavirus around the country and the world, and to alleviate the pressure on health services whilst they continue to work in conditions that are not ideal even at the best of times on those who are more vulnerable and who are suffering horribly as a result of Covid-19, the respiratory disease that the novel coronavirus causes. We should all be aware of this but all our health workers and everyone keeping the country going at this time deserve the rest of us playing our part and not making their lives any more difficult, as well as our utmost thanks and best wishes.


Whilst the scientific designation for the virus is SARS-CoV2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2), let's stick to what we know for the sake of clarity and continue to refer to it as the "novel coronavirus".


This virus has killed and will continue to kill, so naturally we are taking an interest in what would happen if, God forbid, it kills us or someone we love. Even more so, in fact. Because according to an article from the Independent published on 31st March 2020, there has been an increase in demand of 76% for wills in the preceding fortnight (1). Furthermore, an article published by the independent editorial site Today's Wills and Probate on 8th April 2020 reported a surge in demand for wills from our NHS staff, suggesting anecdotally that this surge is a result of the novel coronavirus pandemic and being in such close contact with Covid-19 patients (2). This shows that a lot more of us, regardless of who we are, are quite rightly taking this virus seriously and that we are indeed frightened by it. This isn't surprising given the numbers.


In the UK as of 9am on 9th April 2020:

243,421 people tested

65,077 positive (26.7% of all tested)

As of 5pm on 8th April 2020, 7,978 have sadly died (3.3% of all who were tested, and around 12.3% of those who tested positive)


This is sobering reading, and even more so when we learn that the virus has hit healthy people as well as those who are vulnerable or with existing health conditions. So it is natural to be fearful, and by reading the article, it appears that so many of us are now taking positive steps to secure ourselves and our loved ones should the worst happen. I'm certainly fearful after reading these numbers, knowing that for as long as I can remember I've placed my faith in numbers and facts and logic.


DISCLAIMER: The following is general information that is publically available and should not be interpreted as legal advice in any way, which I am not insured or regulated to offer.


Why make a will? What will it do?


The simplest answer is that you can clearly state what you want to happen to you and your belongings when you pass away. The will is written evidence of your wishes that has also been signed off by witnesses who have seen you agree that it is what you want to happen. You can say who will get what and when. If you wanted to, you could also include a reason why they should get it. Having a will written up will make it easier for your loved ones to carry out your wishes as it is clearly explained what you want to happen when you pass away.


Another reason could be that it can help reduce the amount of tax you pay so that your loved ones can receive as much from you as possible. This is particularly useful if you are quite wealthy and have a lot to give away to your loved ones. We each have our individual limits of what we can give away when we pass away. Anything that is given away over that amount is subject to tax (3).


What if I don't make one? Its just a piece of paper, right?

Yes, but that "piece of paper" holds a tremendous amount of clout when you are no longer around to state yourself what you want to happen to you and your belongings. It is said that the pen is mightier than the sword, and this is an excellent example.


If you don't, then your belongings will be given out according to the rules of intestacy (4). The upside here is that there is a clear flow of working out who will inherit your belongings. But perhaps this isn't the person(s) who you want to inherit your belongings, maybe because you've fallen out. Or perhaps there are items that you want to be inherited by someone specific - but they won't because your wishes haven't been laid out properly.


There is an analytical way of looking at this, which certainly helps me as I am able to think quite analytically anyway. With the rules of intestacy, it works like a flow chart of sorts where one answer leads to the next and to the next until you find the point where the route stops.


There is a logic with regards to the technical knowledge needed with this particular task. This is one of the reasons why I enjoy this subject area as a whole because I feel that I am good at it.


So I just write up what I want to happen? I can do it myself?

You can, but since it is a legal document you should get a solicitor to help you write it. Professional Will Writers and Private Client solicitors working in Wills Trusts and Probate are trained to write wills according to what you want to happen. But now that we have a lot more time on our hands, and solicitors are working from home wherever possible, maybe this is something that is worth thinking about.



Hopefully anyone reading this can take some basic education away from this, including reasons why it is a good idea. But above all, please stay strong and stay safe. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. We are all doing great - we just have to keep doing what we're doing for a little while longer.




Credit: Last Will and Testament photo by Melinda Gimpel on Unsplash


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