Where there's a will, there's a way to control decisions THE DANGERS of not writing a will are to be highlighted after new research reveals 40 per cent of Scots have not made any provision for what happens after they die. More than 28 million people in the UK are currently without a will - with one in ten believing their money, property and ­possessions will go automatically to the right people. Today is the beginning of Write a Will Week - which will see people being encouraged to take stock and make ­preparations. According to research carried out to mark the campaign, Scots are slightly more likely to have made provisions - with 60 per cent saying they have written a will - compared to 58 per cent in the UK as a whole. Almost a third of over 55s do not have a will in place while 64 per cent of those aged 35 to 54 have not yet written a will. However, 74 per cent of UK adults said they would like to pass on money (with an average value of £45,000) to their loved ones when they die, while 56 per cent of people said that they wish to leave assets such as jewellery and paintings to loved ones. The survey revealed 65 per cent plan to leave property worth an average of £199,000. Children and grandchildren continue to be the main ­beneficiaries of wills, with 36 per cent of UK adults wanting to leave enough money to fund some aspect of their child or grandchild's future. With tuition fees rising, 13 per cent said they would like to fund their child or grandchild through university and 22 per cent would like to boost their child or grandchild's savings. Charities and pets also stand to benefit, with 8 per cent of UK adults wishing to donate a ­significant amount to charity and 7 per cent of people wanting to leave enough money for their pets to live comfortably after they have gone. Alan Barr, head of the private client department for Brodies Solicitors said he would not ­advise people to use a DIY will. It is better than nothing - but sometimes it means they ­require more sorting out after the death. He said the cost of getting a will drawn by a solicitor could be as low as £100 - or could rise to a large three-figure sum if complicated properties were ­involved. He said it was becoming increasingly important for people to leave information about their online passwords - saying there was an increasingly phenomenon known as "digital death" - where people had online only bank accounts which could not be accessed by their relatives after they had died. Karen Barrett, chief executive of unbiased.co.uk, which carried out the research said: "Too many people are simply unaware of the control that having a will gives you and its importance in ensuring your loved ones receive what you intended them to. People spend their lives providing for their loved ones, yet lack of action in planning their affairs for after they have gone could lead to a hefty inheritance tax bill, not to mention ­additional stress for the family and potential delay in distributing assets. The easiest way to ensure your estate goes to the people you want to when you die is to consult a solicitor or financial adviser, who can help you interpret the current inheritance rules and apply them to your situation. You can carry out a free and independent search at unbiased.co.uk to find a local ­financial adviser and solicitor.