Coronavirus has prompted a 76 per cent jump in the demand for wills in the last two weeks, reveals one of the world鈥檚 largest independent financial advisory organisations.
deVere Group says the dramatic increase for its wills聽service has been driven by people鈥檚 鈥渕inds being more focused鈥� on certain aspects of financial planning due to the current pandemic.
The sharp surge in enquiries comes as deVere launches a free online wills service for clients. It is also offering a discount to UK Citizens when drawing up their will 鈥� now at a cost of only 拢15.
deVere Group CEO Nigel Green comments: 鈥淟ike too many aspects of financial planning, including retirement planning, drawing up a will is not something that most people rush to do.
鈥淚t remains 鈥榦n the back burner鈥� until something, such as an illness or a change of circumstances, focuses minds.
鈥淲ith frightening death tolls and confirmed cases, with more people than ever bravely risking their own health to help others, and with more people with more time on their hands due to social distancing measures and lockdowns, the coronavirus pandemic has had an unprecedented, collective focusing-of-minds effect.鈥�
He continues: 鈥淚n these highly unusual and worrying times, we should all be playing our part.
鈥淔or this reason, we have launched a free online wills service for clients. We have also reduced the fee to just 拢15 to non-clients for a month.
鈥淲ith the company absorbing the costs, except the storage in an insured facility, we hope this step will encourage even more people to create a will.鈥�
Terms, conditions, limits and exclusions apply to this free online wills service for clients and the reduced costs for non-clients.
Mr Green adds: 鈥淧andemic or no pandemic, the importance of having a will cannot be underestimated 鈥� and they鈥檙e not just for the elderly.
鈥淐ircumstances can change for anyone at any time and for so many different reasons as this pandemic is, unfortunately, proving to be all too true.
鈥淗aving a will gives you the peace of mind of knowing that the rewards of your life’s work – both financial and sentimental value – will be handled according to your wishes.
鈥淵ou鈥檒l be helping your loved ones avoid going through the burden of unnecessary stress, legal hurdles and potential tax issues during a time of grief. It can help them retain the quality of life you have created together.鈥�
The deVere CEO concludes: 鈥淲e can expect the uptick in demand for wills to continue throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, which has triggered a growing number of people to get their affairs in order.
鈥淗owever, a will should always play a part in any successful financial planning strategy.鈥�
