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The number of Britons making financial plans for after they die saw a huge increase in 2020, according to an online will-writing company . 

Farewill said that it helped 267 per cent more people make online and telephone wills in 2020 than in 2019.

The biggest increase was among under-35s, it said, with a 300 per cent spike in will-writing among millennials and generation z.

The report shows that there was huge demand in will-writing across every generation last year compared with 2019, from baby boomers (up 208%) to generation z (up 465%).

Farewill's analysis also found a significant connection between news events and will writing.

The day in 2020 where the most wills were written was 6 April, the same day Boris Johnson was admitted to intensive care after suffering with coronavirus. 

Meanwhile, on the day the first vaccine was approved there was a sharp drop in will writing.

'2020 was a year like no other, and this was reflected large penis in vagina how we thought about and planned for death,' said Dan Garrett, co-founder of Farewill. 

The company claims it is responsible for writing around 1 in 10 wills made in the UK, more than any other provider.

'Almost three times as many people wrote their wills with us compared to 2019 - it's clear we're all reflecting more on our mortality since the pandemic began,' Garrett continued. 

'Death is difficult to think about, but it's really sensible to be planning for the future as it helps your family down the line.'  

Why should you make a will?

If you want control over what happens to your wealth and possessions when you die then you will need to make a will.

'Having a will gives you control over what happens to your money, possessions and property after you die - and it is the only certain way to ensure that your spouse, partner or relative inherits what you intend them to,' says Emily Deane, technical counsel at STEP.

If you care about saving your family both time and money, as well as potential arguments after you pass away, then writing a will would be wise according to Garrett.

'A will makes things much easier for your loved ones as it helps to avoid arguments around inheritance, and if your family knows what and where your assets are, it saves them time and money at a time when they are wanting to grieve rather than worry about sorting out admin or getting funeral affairs in order,' he added. 

Writing a will might also be sensible if your estate would be subject to inheritance tax.

At present anyone can pass on £325,000 of cash and assets tax-free, but if you give away your home to your children (including adopted or foster children, or grandchildren) then this threshold can increase to £500,000.

So for a married couple with children, it is possible to pass on £1million in total.

'One of the main reasons you should write a will is to protect your wealth for your chosen beneficiaries, and to ensure the people you wish to benefit do so in the most tax-efficient manner,' says Jenny Pierce, director at Solicitors for the Elderly.

How do my relatives find out about my will after I die?

Having made a will, a sensible thing to do is tell a close friend or family member about where it can be found.

'You should always tell someone you trust where your will is stored while you're still alive, as not doing so can make things difficult for your family and may even mean that they're never able to find it,' says Garrett

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