Published on: 25th August 2025

The Cost of Dying Without a Will — A Will Writer’s View

As Will writers, we are witnessing a concerning and growing trend: more people than ever are passing away without a valid Will in place. The result? Increased complexity, delay, and emotional strain for families already dealing with the loss of a loved one.

At Casey & Associates, we understand how overwhelming estate matters can become—especially when there’s no Will to guide the process. It’s why we’re so passionate about helping individuals put their affairs in order before it becomes an issue for their loved ones.

A sharp rise in intestacy cases

The statistics are telling. In the 2023/24 financial year, 51,136 Grants of Letters of Administration were issued across England and Wales—marking the highest figure since COVID, and a 17.3% increase on the previous year alone. Compared to 2021/22, the rise is even more striking: a 34.2% jump.

Here's how the trend has evolved:

• 2021/22: 38,102
  
  
• 2022/23: 43,597
  
  
• 2023/24: 51,136

These grants are issued when someone dies without a valid Will (known as dying intestate). Without clear instructions, the estate must be distributed according to the strict rules of intestacy—which may not reflect the deceased’s wishes. These rising numbers reinforce what we see daily: families facing complex, often stressful estate matters that could have been simplified—or avoided altogether—with proper planning.

Why professional support is more vital than ever

Joe Lander of Anglia Research Services put it well when he said:

“The increase in people dying without a valid will creates added complexity for those involved in estate administration.”

That complexity doesn’t just affect families—it can also affect executors, beneficiaries, and legal professionals. That’s why it’s so important to work with experienced Will writers and probate experts who understand the landscape and know how to protect everyone involved.

At Casey & Associates, we regularly work with probate genealogists and estate research specialists to:

• Identify rightful beneficiaries
  
  
• Verify family trees
  
  
• Arrange missing beneficiary or missing Will insurance
  
  
• Navigate intestacy rules with care and accuracy

These services become especially critical in intestacy cases, where tracing distant or unknown relatives can be like piecing together a family mystery. One recent example shared by Joe Lander highlights this perfectly:

“We had a recent intestacy case where two first cousins of the deceased inherited the estate. The cousins lived on the same street but didn’t even know of each other—let alone that they were related!”

This kind of detective work is more common than many realise—and is exactly why proper Will drafting, supported by experienced estate professionals, is essential.

The consequences can be even more challenging—disputes among family members, missed entitlements, or even the risk of assets going to distant relatives instead of those we truly care about.

How Casey & Associates can help

 At Casey & Associates, we are here to take the guesswork and stress out of estate planning. Our Will writing services are tailored to your personal circumstances, ensuring that your wishes are clearly documented and your loved ones are protected.

We also offer support in:

• Probate and estate administration
  
  
• Intestacy investigations
  
  
• Family tree verification

Don’t leave your estate to chance. Let’s put a plan in place now—one that gives you peace of mind and spares your family unnecessary hardship later.

If you'd like help with reviewing your current estate plan, our team at Casey & Associates is here to guide you through every step. To arrange an appointment with a Consultant please telephone 01732 868190 or click here.

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If you wish to give instructions or require general information about our Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, or Trusts then we will carry out a telephone or Zoom appointment.

However, if you wish to give instructions to one of our Consultants and you feel that you can only do this at a Face to Face meeting then we are offering, at our Consultant’s discretion, a limited number of Face to Face appointments in most of the areas we normally cover. To see the areas we normally cover please click here.

To arrange an appointment please telephone 01732 868190 or click here.

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