I'm 27 and I've already written my will - here's why

Erin Atkinson, a 27‑year‑old psychological researcher at a London university, has already drafted a will that allocates her modest assets and personal wishes for after her death. Though she does not consider herself wealthy, she has earmarked her £7,000 car for her sister, a gold necklace for her partner, and a specific donation to an endometriosis charity, reflecting both familial and charitable priorities. Atkinson’s decision was sparked by a TikTok video from Sophia Maslin, founder of the online will‑making platform Morby, which highlighted the complications that can arise when a young person dies intestate, as well as by memories of her grandmother’s complex will.

The story underscores a broader trend: young adults are far less likely to have a will than older generations, with only 20 % of 18‑ to 24‑year‑olds and 33 % of 22‑ to 34‑year‑olds documented as having one, compared with 56 % of those over 55, according to the 2025 National Wills Report. Misconceptions about the need for substantial wealth deter many, yet experts point out that even modest savings, pensions, social‑media accounts, pets and funeral preferences merit legal documentation. Free or low‑cost options exist, such as the annual Will Aid campaign where solicitors volunteer their services, and some trade unions offer complimentary will‑writing through Citizens Advice, making the process more accessible for younger people.

Legal professionals emphasize that a will does more than distribute assets; it appoints an executor to manage bank accounts, debts and other affairs, sparing families from bureaucratic hurdles. For Atkinson, the act of writing a will was less about anticipating death and more about taking responsibility and easing future burdens for loved ones, including specifying a funeral poem and preferred drink. The growing encouragement for young adults to “plan their exit like a celebrity” reflects an emerging cultural shift toward proactive estate planning, aiming to reduce uncertainty and protect personal wishes regardless of age or wealth.

⚡ Effects Interpreter