PARENTS IN WALES DO NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY PAPERWORK TO PROTECT THEIR CHILDREN AFTER THEY ARE GONE, NEW SURVEY FINDS

Parents in Wales are being urged to “protect their children with paperwork” after a survey revealed 63% of them have not written a will.

A poll by Will Aid, a national will-writing campaign, found that nationally 55% of mums and dads with children under 18 had not assigned legal guardians for them by preparing this vital piece of paperwork – while in some regions around the UK the picture looked even bleaker.

Nia Evans from Jennifer Melly Law Solicitors, which has offices in Cardiff and Neath, said: “If you die without appointing a guardian, and there is no other parent with parental responsibility, a court would decide with whom your child will live – and this might not be the person you would assume would take on their care.

“Preparing a correctly worded will with a solicitor is the best way to ensure your wishes are carried out.”

“We accept that the inevitability of death is a difficult concept to confront. But bad things do happen, and though it’s impossible to prepare for many of them, making plans for your child’s care in the event of your death is a concrete step you can take to help ensure his or her future well-being.”

According to the survey, a staggering 66% of parents from Northern Ireland, 63% in Wales and 59% in Scotland were without wills.

Meanwhile in the North East 57% of parents had no will and 56% in the West Midlands had no paperwork either.

The news comes as solicitors across the country take bookings for Will Aid Month.

This sees participating solicitors waive their fees for writing basic wills during November, instead inviting clients to make a voluntary donation to Will Aid, with these funds supporting the vital work of the nine partner charities.

Peter de Vena Franks, campaign director for Will Aid, said: “Parents have to face their fears – and the recent coronavirus pandemic should demonstrate to us all that it is better to be prepared should worst happen.

“Writing a will is a chance for a parent or parents to protect their children for the worst – leaving clear instructions about who they would like to care for their child in the event of their death.”

Will Aid Month takes place across the country from 01-30 November.

Solicitors who take part provide the will writing service for local people and waive their usual fee, instead you are invited to make a voluntary donation to Will Aid which then supports the work of nine of the UK’s best-loved charities.

Our suggested voluntary donation for a basic Will Aid will is £100 for a single will and £180 for a pair of mirror wills.

In 2019, Will Aid raised almost £1 million for the vital work of its charity partners – ActionAid, Age UK, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, Save the Children, Sightsavers, SCIAF (Scotland) and Trocaire (Northern Ireland).

Those who wish to make a will can book their November appointments now via www.willaid.org.uk by calling 0300 0300 013.

Will Aid solicitors will be following the most up-to-date government health advice to ensure that face-to-face meetings remain safe. Many firms will be able to write wills at a distance via a phone or online consultations. Some firms will only be offering their services remotely. Participating firms can be contacted directly for more information.

For more information visit: www.willaid.org.uk