Widows ‘Reluctant to Downsize’ to Tackle Financial Problems

• Nearly half of law firms regularly advise widows facing financial hardship
• But just one in four recommend equity release as a potential solution
• More than half of law firms admit a lack of knowledge of equity release

 Almost half (47%) of law firms regularly advised widows who are facing financial hardship to consider downsizing but over two-thirds (68%) say that they are reluctant to consider this solution, research from leading equity release referral service Key Partnerships shows.

Financial mismanagement – such as lack of joint pension provision – by partners is the main reason, many widows face hardship according to 62% of law firms questioned. Around 41% say living expenses and bills following a partner’s death are also too high for widows.

The research also identified probate delays as a major cause of financial hardship for widows – around half (51%) of law firms said clients had faced issues in sorting out the estate of their loved one while 30% say widows had discovered previously undisclosed debts.

Over half (55%) of law firms suggest downsizing as a way to cut bills and help boost cash flow and almost two-thirds (65%) suggest clients look at this as an option to repay an existing mortgage or make a profit.  However, this may not be a viable option for everyone with one in four estate agents revealing that more than 50% of their clients who are looking to downsize have failed to find a new home or given up looking within the last two years.

Just one in four (24%) law firms recommend equity release as an alternative to downsizing as most admit they are unaware it is possible solution. The main barrier to suggesting equity release is that 56% admit to having very little knowledge of plans while 59% say they are not trained to offer advice.  Around one in five (20%) suggest a second charge mortgage.

 Jason Ruse, Head of Key Partnerships, said: “No one wants to be worried about financial matters following the death of their partner but the simple fact is that far too many people are faced with these difficult choices.   As part of the probate process, Law Firms will naturally make suggestions that they believe will put their clients on a firm financial footing but the idea of selling the family home is simply not an option for some people.

“While equity release is not right for everyone, Law Firms should have a working knowledge of this product if they are going to recommend options such as equity release or second charge mortgages.  These products are only available from qualified equity release advisors and they can help people to find the best option for their individual circumstances.”

Key Partnerships is a B2B referral service providing a whole of market equity release solution for introducers and their clients, through parent company Key; leading specialist provider of financial solutions to the over 55’s. Over 7,000 introducers encompassing IFAs, mortgage brokers, accountants, solicitors and estate agents are registered to refer business to Key Partnerships. In return for a referral, intermediaries earned on average £1,341 in 2017 on completion of their client’s loan.

• Nearly half of law firms regularly advise widows facing financial hardship
• But just one in four recommend equity release as a potential solution
• More than half of law firms admit a lack of knowledge of equity release

 Almost half (47%) of law firms regularly advised widows who are facing financial hardship to consider downsizing but over two-thirds (68%) say that they are reluctant to consider this solution, research from leading equity release referral service Key Partnerships shows.

Financial mismanagement – such as lack of joint pension provision – by partners is the main reason, many widows face hardship according to 62% of law firms questioned. Around 41% say living expenses and bills following a partner’s death are also too high for widows.

The research also identified probate delays as a major cause of financial hardship for widows – around half (51%) of law firms said clients had faced issues in sorting out the estate of their loved one while 30% say widows had discovered previously undisclosed debts.

Over half (55%) of law firms suggest downsizing as a way to cut bills and help boost cash flow and almost two-thirds (65%) suggest clients look at this as an option to repay an existing mortgage or make a profit.  However, this may not be a viable option for everyone with one in four estate agents revealing that more than 50% of their clients who are looking to downsize have failed to find a new home or given up looking within the last two years.

Just one in four (24%) law firms recommend equity release as an alternative to downsizing as most admit they are unaware it is possible solution. The main barrier to suggesting equity release is that 56% admit to having very little knowledge of plans while 59% say they are not trained to offer advice.  Around one in five (20%) suggest a second charge mortgage.

 Jason Ruse, Head of Key Partnerships, said: “No one wants to be worried about financial matters following the death of their partner but the simple fact is that far too many people are faced with these difficult choices.   As part of the probate process, Law Firms will naturally make suggestions that they believe will put their clients on a firm financial footing but the idea of selling the family home is simply not an option for some people.

“While equity release is not right for everyone, Law Firms should have a working knowledge of this product if they are going to recommend options such as equity release or second charge mortgages.  These products are only available from qualified equity release advisors and they can help people to find the best option for their individual circumstances.”

Key Partnerships is a B2B referral service providing a whole of market equity release solution for introducers and their clients, through parent company Key; leading specialist provider of financial solutions to the over 55’s. Over 7,000 introducers encompassing IFAs, mortgage brokers, accountants, solicitors and estate agents are registered to refer business to Key Partnerships. In return for a referral, intermediaries earned on average £1,341 in 2017 on completion of their client’s loan.