The Hidden Cost of Doing Nothing

Colin Barrett
Nov 24, 2025
2 min read

Every year, many families face avoidable stress because someone put off making a Will or organising their Lasting Powers of Attorney. No one intends to leave a mess behind, but life gets busy. People assume there will be more time. Then something unexpected happens.

Doing nothing has a cost. Not only a financial cost, but a practical and emotional cost that falls on the people who care about you most.

When someone dies without a Will

If you die without a Will, the law decides who inherits. It does not take into account blended families, previous relationships, step children or the people who matter to you personally. Your partner may not receive what they expect.

Children can be treated differently depending on the order of relationships. The family home can be affected. The assets you worked hard for may not end up where you wanted.

Sorting out the estate can take far longer. Families often have to gather paperwork without knowing where anything is, apply to the court for authority to act and deal with legal rules at a time when they are already grieving.

When there are no Lasting Powers of Attorney

If you lose capacity without LPAs, your family cannot simply step in. They must apply to the Court of Protection. This involves fees, delays and ongoing reporting requirements. They may not be approved at all. Even simple everyday actions like paying a bill or selling a car can become difficult.

People often assume their partner or children can act for them automatically. They cannot.

The emotional cost of silence

At the heart of this is something deeper. When there is no planning in place, families are left trying to make decisions in the dark. They worry about getting it wrong. They wonder what you would have wanted. Disagreements can surface. Tension can build at exactly the time they need unity.

The good news is that action is simple

You do not need technical knowledge to protect your family. You just need to start. A clear Will and properly created LPAs make everything easier. Your wishes become known. Your family is protected. The burden is lifted long before anything happens.

If you have been putting this off, now is the moment

As the year draws to a close, many people reflect on what really matters. Taking simple steps now will give you and your family peace of mind that lasts well beyond the winter months.