Thousands of Certainty Will Searches are conducted on a monthly basis by next of kin and probate professionals who are checking that no Will exists or that the Will currently held is in fact the last Will. As of August 2019, there has been a 10% increase in the number of Wills located and held by Will Writers in Will searches in comparison to 2018. Of those Wills located, 70.5% of these were registered on The National Will Register.
These increasing figures are a direct result of conscientious and proactive Will writers who recognise the importance and benefits that Will Registration offers themselves and their clients.
Will Registration is quick and easy but plays an important part in the estate planning process as it ensures that a Will can be located in the future. Through the passage of time it is not unusual for a Will to get lost or for its existence to be forgotten about by both the Testator and Executor(s). Registering a Will on The National Will Register records the Will’s existence and the location where it is stored. All of which helps to remove risk.
Since October 2017 the Society of Will Writers has provided their members with the facility to register the Wills they have written totally free of charge on the National Will Register which currently has in excess of 8.2 million Wills registered on the system. The National Will Archives (NWA) is the storage facility available to SWW members. All Wills stored within this facility are also registered.
Brian W McMillan, Director General, The Society of Will Writers comments: “A lost Will is as effective as not writing a Will at all. The Society of Will Writers recommends registering your clients’ Wills with The National Will Register to ensure peace of mind and security in the knowledge that they can be located when needed.”
Will Registration is proven not only to protect the testator’s estate from being distributed incorrectly but also to prevent the loss of probate income because registered Wills are found that otherwise would have been overlooked.
If you would like to start registering your Wills please contact Nigel McGinnity on [email protected] or call 0330 100 3660.
