Nearly two-thirds of Scottish parents with children under 18 have made no will, a new survey has revealed.
The study, carried out by Will Aid, found 65% of mothers and fathers in Scotland have not prepared this vital piece of paperwork.
A bigger 67.7% of parents from Northern Ireland are lacking this important document, while those in south-west England are not far behind on 64%. In central London, only 29% of parents are without a will.
The research findings come as solicitors across the UK start taking bookings in preparation for Will Aid month.
Each November, solicitors waive their fees for will-writing services in return for clients donating to worthy causes.
Many people also use the service to include a gift in their will to charity.
Will Aid campaign director Peter de Vena Franks said: “Writing a will is an opportunity for a parent or parents to leave instructions about who they would like their child to be cared by in the event of their death.
“If you die without appointing a guardian, and there is no other parent with parental responsibility, an application would need to be made to the court to decide with whom your child will live, in the event of a dispute about this.
“Preparing a correctly worded will with a solicitor is the best way to ensure your wishes are carried out.
“Will Aid Month provides the perfect opportunity to do this.”
The suggested voluntary donation for a basic Will Aid will is £95 for a single document and £150 for a pair.
Will Aid patron Dame Judi Dench added: “A will is a gift you can leave for those you love.
“If you choose to make your will with a Will Aid solicitor, you could also be giving a loving gift to the thousands of children, families and communities helped by the Will Aid charities.
“When it comes to making a Will, my advice is simple: carpe diem (a Latin phrase for urging someone to make the most of the present with little thought for the future).”
Will Aid has been running since 1988 and has run every November since 2008. It is the most successful charity will-writing scheme in the UK, open to all adults.
Law firms taking part pledge their time to write basic wills, with clients making a voluntary donation to Will Aid instead. Donations support the vital work of the nine partner charities.
Last year, Will Aid raised more than £1.2million for ActionAid, Age UK, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, Save the Children, Sightsavers, SCIAF (Scotland) and Trocaire (Northern Ireland).