- 54% of Brits don’t have a will
- 39% of 55- to 64-year-olds haven’t written a will
- The average cost of getting a professional will drafted is £183.57
- Brits wait almost six months for payouts on a will
More than half (54%) of Brits don’t have a will, according to new research.
The survey, undertaken by home moving comparison site Compare My Move also showed a third (33%) of Brits haven’t written a will but plan to, more than one in five (21%) haven’t got a will and don’t plan to get one, while 41% of Brits have written one.
And 39% of 55-64 year olds don’t have one. The research also found that the average spend on getting a professional will drafted is £163.57.
Brits who are named as beneficiaries in a will are waiting, on average, just under six months to receive what they are entitled to.
Out of the 2,000 UK adults that were polled on the UK probate process, 45% had been named as beneficiaries in a will. Of those, 15% said the process took 3-4 months, 14% received what they were entitled to in 1-2 months and 13% reported a wait of 5-6 months. The average wait is 5.6 months.
Dave Sayce, co-founder and Managing Director of Compare My Move, said of the findings:
“It’s alarming to see that more than half of Brits haven’t got a professional will in place. It’s not just about protecting assets, it’s about providing peace of mind for your loved ones.
Being the beneficiary of a will can be a time of mixed emotions. While it may bring financial relief or opportunity, it also comes during a period of grief.
Our survey highlights how vital it is to ensure your own affairs are in order, to avoid unnecessary complications for loved ones down the line. To help prepare and avoid costly legal delays, here’s my top tips:
- Review and update regularly – Keeping your will up to date can prevent disputes or delays during probate.
- Use a trusted comparison website – Platforms such as Compare My Move can help you find reputable will-writing services at competitive prices.
- Check for free or discounted services – Some employers, unions, or banks offer will-writing as a free perk.
- Consider online will-writing services – These are often cheaper than traditional solicitors and are legally valid in the UK.
- Keep it simple – The more complex the estate, the longer probate can take. A straightforward, clearly written will helps speed up the process.”
About Compare My Move:
Compare My Move, established in 2012, is a UK-based platform designed to assist home buyers, sellers, and movers throughout the entire moving process. It connects users with a wide network of trusted professionals from mortgage brokers to removal companies, allowing them to compare multiple quotes in one place. The platform ensures that all listed companies are verified, helping users make informed, cost-effective decisions with ease.
In addition to supporting individuals through their move, Compare My Move also serves as a successful lead-generation tool for its partners, delivering high-quality, motivated customer leads. By streamlining the moving experience and connecting users with reliable services, Compare My Move has become a trusted resource for thousands of people navigating property transactions across the UK.
About the survey:
This online survey of 2,000 UK Adults (Nationally representative on the basis of age, gender, and region) was commissioned by Front Door Comms on behalf of Compare My Move and conducted by market research company OnePoll, in accordance with the Market Research Society’s code of conduct. Data was collected between [03/06/2025] and [05/06/2025]. All participants are double-opted in to take part in research and are paid an amount depending on the length and complexity of the survey. This survey was overseen and edited by the OnePoll research team. OnePoll are MRS Company Partners, corporate membership of ESOMAR and Members of the British Polling Council.