Southampton-based solicitor Parisa Jones, Partner in the Tax, Trusts, Wills & Probate team at Lester Aldridge, is warning of the risks associated with writing a will using artificial intelligence (AI), as new research reveals that 72% of UK adults aged between 30 and 34 would consider using AI to update their will.
The research, conducted by Censuswide on behalf of The Association of Lifetime Lawyers, found that only half (52%) of wills in the UK have been drafted by a solicitor. This raises concerns that many people may be putting their estate and loved ones at risk due to errors, ambiguous wording, or failure to meet legal requirements.
As the use of AI continues to rise, experts are stressing that when it comes to wills, it’s vital to have professional legal oversight.
The Association of Lifetime Lawyers is the community of the most qualified legal professionals in the UK when it comes to supporting people to get wills and lasting power of attorney in place.
Parisa Jones warns that using AI to update or create your will could have devastating consequences for your loved ones.
Parisa says: “The appeal of AI-generated wills is understandable, particularly among younger generations, who may see it as an easy solution. This is deceptive. A will is one of the most important legal documents you will ever create. Relying on AI to draft or update it without proper legal guidance could result in errors that make a will invalid or lead to unintended consequences, such as disputes between family members or tax implications being overlooked.
“The Association of Lifetime Lawyers has tested various AI platforms, including ChatGPT, DeepSeek and Microsoft Copilot, to create a will. While they can produce documents that look like a will and meet the most basic requirements, there are confusing structures, poor grasp of legal requirements, lack of understanding of the knock-on effect of key decisions, lack of personalisation and inaccurate wording.
“AI simply cannot understand the complexities of human relationships, nor can it offer personalised advice based on a person’s unique circumstances. As a result, people may unknowingly put their loved ones at risk by relying on technology to handle such an important document.
“It’s vital that people seek advice from an experienced legal professional, who can guide them based on their unique situation to ensure their wishes are carried out and help minimise inheritance tax where possible.”
For expert advice on creating a will that accurately reflects your wishes, go to: https://lifetimelawyers.org.uk/Public/Public/How-can-we-help/Wills.aspx
Find a local Lifetime Lawyer near you here: https://lifetimelawyers.org.uk/Public/Radius-Search/Find-a-Lawyer
