Birmingham recorded the biggest increase in searches for “how to write a will” and related terms, rising 121.3% year-on-year, the highest of any location in the study.
Search engine analysis by Foxholes Care Home of “How to Write a Will” and 493 related keywords shows Birmingham saw the sharpest increase in will‑writing searches, jumping 121.3% year‑on‑year, suggesting local families are increasingly keen to get their affairs in order.
Sunderland experienced a 30% rise in searches over the same period.
Average searches for “how to write a will” and 493 related keywords
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Locations | Average Searches between April 2024 and March 2025 | Average Searches between April 2025 and March 2026 | Percentage Difference (%) |
Birmingham | 1740 | 3850 | 121.3 |
Sunderland | 700 | 910 | 30 |
Poole | 1040 | 1350 | 29.8 |
Derby | 1140 | 1370 | 20.2 |
Burnley | 920 | 1080 | 17.4 |
Telford | 1010 | 1140 | 12.9 |
Hereford | 910 | 1020 | 12.1 |
Plymouth | 1720 | 1920 | 11.6 |
St Albans | 980 | 1090 | 11.2 |
This pattern reflects a wider national trend. Only 37% of UK adults currently have a valid will, according to the 2025 National Wills report, yet around a third say they intend to write a will within the next year, meaning as many as 17 million people could put a will in place if intentions translate into action.
Will-writing activity also fell in parts of the country.
Southampton had a 25.2% decline, followed by Milton Keynes with a 25.4% fall.
Carlisle was at the bottom of the table with a 68.1% decline, the largest decrease in the country.
Average Searches for “How to Write a Will” and 493 combined keywords | |||
Locations | Average Searches between April 2024 and March 2025 | Average Searches between April 2025 and March 2026 | Percentage Difference (%) |
Southampton | 1070 | 800 | -25.2 |
Milton Keynes | 1220 | 910 | -25.4 |
Carlisle | 1600 | 510 | -68.1 |
Neil Gandecha of Foxholes Care Home, who supports residents and families with end-of-life planning and care decisions, said:
“The findings suggest a growing awareness of the importance of preparing for the future. People should put a will in place as early as possible and ensure their wishes are clearly understood by those responsible.”
“It is important to use a reputable will-writing company with experience in estate planning, so that everything is handled properly and nothing is left unclear.”
How to write a will
1.Make a List of Everything you own
“Writing a will begins with taking a full overview of your assets. This includes property and land, bank and savings accounts, investments, shares and pensions, vehicles, personal belongings such as jewellery and sentimental items, and any digital assets, including online accounts and subscriptions.
“It is also important to note any outstanding debts, such as mortgages, loans or credit cards, so that your estate can be properly assessed.”
2. Decide who you want to benefit
“The next step is deciding who you would like to benefit from your estate. This may include family members, friends, or charities and organisations. Clear decisions at this stage can help reduce the risk of confusion or dispute later.””
3. Choose your executors
“You will also need to choose executors, who are responsible for carrying out the instructions in your will. These are typically trusted family members, close friends, or in some cases a solicitor or professional executor.
Many people choose to appoint one or two executors to ensure the process can continue if one is unable to act.”
4. Decide on guardians (if you have children)
“For those with children under 18, it is also important to appoint guardians. These are the individuals who would be responsible for caring for your children if something were to happen to you, and they should be chosen carefully and with full consideration of their ability to take on that responsibility.”
5. Write your will
“There are several ways to write a will. Some people choose to use a DIY will kit or template, while others prefer to go through a solicitor, particularly where estates are more complex.
Regulated will-writing services are also widely used. For a will to be legally valid in the UK, it must be written down, signed by the person making it, and witnessed by two independent witnesses who also sign the document.”
6. Store it safely
“Once completed, a will should be stored safely but in a way that allows it to be accessed when needed. Common options include storage with a solicitor, keeping it in a fireproof safe at home, or using a dedicated will storage service. Executors must know where the document is kept.”
7. Review it regularly
“A will should be reviewed regularly rather than treated as a one-time task. Major life events such as marriage or divorce, the birth of children or grandchildren, buying property, or significant financial changes can all be reasons to update it.”
8. Ensure “all affairs are in order”
“Beyond the will itself, it is also important to ensure wider affairs are in order. This includes keeping a secure record of important documents such as insurance policies, deeds and pensions, storing passwords safely, nominating beneficiaries on pensions and life insurance, considering a lasting power of attorney, and discussing wishes with family members to help avoid uncertainty later.”
Neil Gandecha of Foxholes Care Home who supports residents and families with end-of-life planning and care decisions, said the importance of planning ahead often becomes most apparent through the families he works with.
“Ultimately, this is about peace of mind,” he said. “When someone takes the time to put their affairs in order, it can bring comfort not only to them, but to the people they care about most. It removes doubt at a time when emotions are already high.
He added, “What we often see is that the greatest gift people can leave behind is clarity, knowing that everything has been thought through, and their loved ones won’t be left with uncertainty during an already difficult time.”
