Just 48% of UK adults say they have a valid will, according to research from Zurich, despite 79% worrying about how their loved ones would cope after their death.

For homeowners, the findings are a reminder to consider what would happen to the property, mortgage and household finances if they were no longer here.

Buying a home is a major commitment. Making sure your wishes are properly recorded deserves a place on the same to-do list.

Family tensions can make bereavement harder

The research found that one in five bereaved people experienced strained family relationships following a death. One in ten reported a breakdown so serious that they never spoke to the family member again.

A will cannot prevent every disagreement, but clearly recorded wishes can help reduce uncertainty at an already difficult time.

Conversations matter too. Knowing what someone wanted, and where to find their important documents, can spare loved ones some avoidable guesswork.

What happens to your home without a will?

If you die without a valid will, assets forming your estate are distributed according to the rules of intestacy. Those rules determine who inherits, and the outcome may differ from what you intended. The rules vary across the UK.

In England and Wales, an unmarried partner has no automatic right to inherit under intestacy, regardless of how long you have lived together.

The way you own your home also matters:

• Joint tenants: your interest in the property normally passes automatically to the surviving owner or owners, outside your will.

• Tenants in common: your share forms part of your estate and can pass under your will. Without a valid will covering it, the intestacy rules apply.

This makes checking your ownership arrangements particularly useful if you are unmarried, have children from a previous relationship or want your share of the property to go to someone specific.

A solicitor can explain how your ownership and will work together.

A will and life insurance serve different purposes

A will records how you want your estate distributed. Life insurance can provide financial support following your death, subject to the cover and policy terms.

For a family with a mortgage, that support could help repay the outstanding loan or meet ongoing living costs.

When reviewing protection, consider your mortgage balance, how long the cover lasts, who would receive the payout and how much income your household would lose. Cover arranged years ago may need another look if your borrowing or family circumstances have changed.

Already have a will? Check it still reflects your life

Having written a will once does not mean it will always suit your circumstances.

GOV.UK recommends reviewing your will every five years and after major life changes, including moving home, getting married, separating or having a child.

It is also sensible to make sure your executors know where the original will is stored and can locate details of your mortgage, insurance policies and other important arrangements.

Remember the things with personal value

Alongside its research, Zurich has launched Legacy Kitchen with television chef Matt Tebbutt, bringing together family recipes and stories of loved ones who have died.

It is a reminder that what we leave behind includes possessions with deep personal meaning: photographs, keepsakes and family traditions.

Talking about those wishes can be a gentle way to begin a wider conversation about the future.

Our view

A mortgage review is a useful opportunity to consider your family’s wider position. Who would inherit your home? How would the mortgage be paid? Would those closest to you know where to find the information they need?

At Chetwood Lloyd Mortgages, we can help you review your mortgage and protection arrangements and discuss the next steps for making or updating a will. Our mortgage advice is independent and fee-free.

Get in touch to arrange an initial conversation and make sure your plans reflect the people and priorities that matter to you.

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