Experts Concerned About Welsh Families Showing Little Interest in Wills, New Study Shows

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In light of National Talk Money Week, on 6^th to 11^th November, search engine data shows which areas in Wales exhibit the highest level of interest in writing a Will. Cardiff ranks 1st place, whilst second largest city Swansea ranks 9th.

Researchers at South Wales law firm, David W Harris & Co. Solicitors, ranked 12 Welsh counties based on the local search volume for Google queries related to “writing a will” over the past year. Comparing this against the population in each county, the data highlighted the areas most interested in writing a will.

According to the research, these areas rank as follows:

1. Cardiff
2. Newport
3. Merthyr Tydfil
4. Blaenau Gwent
5. Wrexham
6. Bridgend
7. Caerphilly
8. Neath
9. Swansea
10. Monmouth
11. Carmarthen
12. Conwy

Overall, areas in South East and South Wales proved to show more interest in will writing than areas in the West, such as Neath, Swansea and Carmarthen.

Swansea ranks 9^th with just 113,000 searches over the past year relating to will writing. Given it’s the second most populous city in Wales, it is surprising residents here show such little interest in preparing for their futures in comparison to Cardiff where there have been 754,000 searches.

Newport, which has fewer residents than Swansea, has almost 110,000 more searches relating to will writing. 

Talk Money Week aims to encourage people of all ages to talk about their finances more openly with friends, family and experts so as to feel more confident in managing their money for the future, and building healthy relationships with money from the get-go.

That being said, research suggests that 59% of adults in the UK still do not have a will in place. With the national day’s emphasis on building financial resilience,  Christopher Pridham, Partner at David W Harris & Co, wants to encourage any and everyone with assets and children to speak of to not put off writing a will, and warns of the damage that can be left behind without one.

He says, “For your loved ones who remain after you’re gone, grief is often accompanied by practical matters that can be challenging to navigate. Creating a will in early life goes beyond a mere legal formality—it’s a proactive acceptance of life’s uncertainties.

“A will can include various aspects, such as arrangements for your children, plans for inheritance, and your funeral preferences. It serves as a shield of financial security, protecting your loved ones from legal complications. More importantly, it provides you with the peace of mind that your wishes will be honoured.

“Families in Wales really need to consider the benefits of having a will; it’s never too early to put one in place, especially if you have children. Whether it’s unexpected events, health considerations, or ensuring the well-being of your dependents, an early Will reflects your foresight and bestows the gift of clarity upon those you hold dear.”

If you’re looking for help with writing a will in Wales, be sure to get in touch with the team at David W Harris & Co, by heading to their contact page.