For those in the 45 ─ 54 age group, more than three in five people haven’t written a will.*

Perhaps they assume that their assets will automatically go to those they feel will deserve them most. The bad news is, the law often looks at the situation differently.

You don’t even need to die for problems to start

Imagine if an injury or illness meant you could never manage your own financial affairs again – from your bank accounts to investments and pensions.

You might think that your partner, children or trusted others could just take over decisions on your behalf. But you’d be wrong. Unless you officially name these people while you still have all your faculties, they’ll face a lengthy, complicated and expensive legal struggle before they’re able to support you.

And this doesn’t just apply to your finances. Loved ones don’t even have an automatic right to make decisions about your health and welfare, unless you appoint them in advance.

Right now, around 96%* of people have potentially left loved ones in that unpleasant position ─ yet most probably don’t even realise it.