British Wills Database Reveals Much About Attitudes Towards Death Planning

In the Midlands, sits a highly guarded facility in which every will probated in England and Wales since the mid 19th century resides. Until recently, access was limited to researchers but digitization now allows anyone, for a small fee, to read the last testaments by some of the most famous names in British history.

While much of the archive’s value accrues to the historian, a legal professional may appreciate how these documents show the problems the creation and maintenance of a person’s last testament entails, be it past or present. These wills reveal that all strata of society have faced the same issues when it comes to wills ranging from failing to update after a major life event like marriage to not properly describing property. Knowing these problems have always existed puts into perspective the difficulties all estate planners face and the ongoing struggle that is required to keep them in check.

See Rosie Ifould, Last orders: what do our wills say about us?, The Guardian, June 12, 2015.

Special thanks to Eloisa Rodriguez-Dod for bringing this article to my attention.