Majority of adults 'have not made a will'

More than two-thirds of adults have not written a will, research suggested today.

The survey for Irish Life also revealed that more than half of parents do not have the legal document in place and could be putting their family at financial risk.

The poll showed that of the 70% who said they had not made a will, more than a third believed they were too young to make one, and almost one fifth believed they did not need one.

Karl Symes, marketing manager at Irish Life, said: “No-one likes to think about what happens when they die, but making a will makes financial sense.

“If we don’t make a will, our families could suffer as the law can decide who gets what.

“I would strongly recommend that all parents take some time to review how their family would be protected in the event of their death.”

More than 1,000 adults nationwide were surveyed during August.

Irish Life said 16% of those who have not made a will said they did not know where to start, with an equal amount not wanting to think about drawing up one.

The financial house, which has published a free guide to making a will, also found that out of those who do have a will, women were more diligent in updating it.

Married, separated, divorced or widowed people (56%) were much more likely to have a will in place, as opposed to single people (86%).

Nearly half of married couples or those living together had not updated their will in the past two to five years.