Writing a Will - urgent advice please!!

bertiebassett_3

We are going away for a couple of months and need to write a will in case the unmentionable happens. This really only needs to be a temporary will to tide us over until we get back.

I have had a quick look but am not sure about where to find a last will and testament free form/template and the legality of these. Anyone who can advise/point me in the right direction?

(When we get back, we will need to sort out our will fully in respect of inheritance tax and trusts for our two young daughters who will be with us on this trip. I did contact a home will service but they could not do this in time for our departure and also seemed a little hazy on pricing as it will not be a basic will).

Any advice etc very much appreciated.

Many thanks,
Nina

muir_steve

Hi, try WH Smith for standard templates, they sell different standard legal forms, most of them are suited to English law. Failing that you can write your own, however, there are some rules as to who you can distribute your estate to as spouse and siblings have rights over your estate which cannot be passed over. Suggest your estate would automatically pass to your daughters if anything happened to both of you anyway.

A lot of lawyers will draw up a will for a nominal charge, say £20 or so. Don't know how quickly you need to do this but try your lawyer first, he may be able to do this quickly if everything is going to your daughters.

shykins

as the above poster said yr lawyer should br able to draw u up a quick will in a matter of days (well we do where i work).. you can always change it or add codicils when u come back

you can certainly draw your own up if u are leaving it to be shared between your daughters...as long as u have 2 independent witnesses but make sure u include everything

xx

Bossyboots

muir_steve wrote:

however, there are some rules as to who you can distribute your estate to as spouse and siblings have rights over your estate which cannot be passed over.

Surely you mean spouse and children.

muir_steve

lol, oops yes. sorry bout that folks.

dunno if it's of any interest to you or, indeed, if they still do this but imperial cancer research fund used to have an arrangement with solicitors around the country who would draw up a will for free if you leave something to them.

shykins

cancer research still do that but its only up to a certain sum.. also you dont HAVE to leave them something altho its courtesy to do so if they are paying for your wills

HTH