Pictured above: Sofia Tayton

Sir Gerry Robinson is doing for will writing what Lord Alan Sugar has done for apprenticeships, according to Sofia Tayton, a solicitor and associate in the private client department of Stratford-upon-Avon law firm Lodders.

Both had transformed what could be stodgy subjects and made them attractive to the public.

And she praised Sir Gerry, the former non-executive chairman of Allied Domecq and ex-chairman and chief executive of television group Granada, for highlighting the serious business of will writing in his BB2 series "You Can't Take it With You".

Typically Sir Gerry, with the help of a solicitor, meets people who haven't got wills in place and helps them work out what they should do.

Mrs Tayton said: "It emphasises the real life dilemmas behind the statistic that around 70 per cent of people in the UK do not have a will. And it investigates some of the very difficult decisions that may need to be made in that context.

"Failing to make a will can leave all sort of angst behind for family members to sort out, which can be a nightmare.

"There can be much additional grief and pain caused to relations when someone dies without making a will."

Mrs Tayton said very few 18-29-year-olds bothered because they felt they were too young or didn't have enough assets.

Other reasons given for not preparing wills were people being too busy, the cost involved or they were simply uncomfortable talking about death.

But, she noted, straight-forward wills rarely cost more than a few hundred pounds to put together.

"It is a question of forethought and peace of mind.

"Unfortunately, if no will is prepared then there are no guarantees that money and property will go where you want them to - especially if you are not married or in a civil partnership and you want your partner to benefit.

"Equally, family members you do not like or even know may end up getting a share of your estate if you do not make a valid will."

She said too many people assumed that the family would distribute their assets and money in the manner they would have wanted.

But she warned: "This rarely works and can lead to claims, delays and expense for those left behind."

Among other topics, Sir Gerry's series has taken in the appointment of executors, leaving people out of wills, favouritism and looked at the problems facing a farming family.

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