Having recently dealt with the consequences of someone’s death, it’s surprisingly eye opening to realise how unprepared people are for their death/demise. As soon as the subject is raised in conversation you can guarantee someone will try to change the topic. Many make a will out, but don’t regularly reassess the relavance of it to most recent times, beneficiaries and executors die or move away, and effectively takes themselves out of the equation.
One other thing everyone should consider is a lasting power of attorney (LPA), particularly the one relating to property and financial affairs, because if you end up in a position where you are mentally incapacitated and you are the one holding the ■■■■■ strings, your loved ones may find themselves locked out of bank accounts etc unable to pay day to day bills. An LPA can now be done online, the formatting is virtually idiot proof as the online system won’t allow you to progress to the next page unless the correct info is entered. At £82 per LPA it’s hardly going to cost a fortune. The other type of LPA relates to health and welfare which is only really relevant when it comes to giving someone the power of turning of life support off or instigating a DNR regime