A new report out this morning reveals that more than half (56%) of the ‘baby-boomer generation’ in their 50s and nearly a third (32%) of people in their 60s haven’t made a will - leaving what happens to their home, savings and legacy to chance.

A lack of understanding about wills has been revealed as nearly a fifth (17%) believe that they don’t need to make one – assuming it would be obvious who would inherit their assets. Furthermore, when it comes to writing a will, almost half (44%) admit that it’s something they intend to do but keep putting off, while nearly one in ten (9%) haven’t made one because they believe that life is for living now, not worrying about the future. The reality is not having a will can have a devastating impact on those you leave behind. Despite this, over half (57%) say that having children wouldn’t prompt them to write one.

However, of those who have already made a will a third (33%) have revised it and a tenth (10%) have made four or more alterations – confirming that thinking about your will early is important as priorities evolve. Today’s will writers have begun to not only consider their nearest and dearest, but are also now leaving money to their favourite charity – with a fifth (20%) of those in their 50s agreeing they would support a charity in their last rites.

This Dying Matters Week, Macmillan Cancer Support is discussing the importance of will writing and leaving a legacy – approaching a taboo subject that needs to be broken.