Making a Will...

BigSaver_2

Have you got one? Is one necessary? Did you get one done by a solicitor?

Where should I start? Read an ad, Will start from £29.99 + VAT but this is for a standard will(quite expensive for a paper, lol).

Heard about DIY wills? will they do?

I am looking to get one made soon. Any help with be great.

Thank you

ads_2

My wife and I had wills made a couple of years back. The main reason we had wills made was to ensure our children were going to be looked after, if the worst happened. We found a solicitor via the willaid website. If you get your will done in November at a willaid participating solicitor they will do it for a reduced cost.

The solicitor we went with claimed he made more money from fixing DIY wills than from actually writing wills, although he would say that wouldn't he.

Anyway, it cost us about £100 for our wills.

SandC

I haven't got one but I've been meaning to sort one out. I don't have any dependants but if you die intestate it can take a very long time for the process of your next of kin getting your stuff. Plus work for whoever is left dealing with it. At least when you have one you will have notified the executor and they will be prepared.

I believe I get a free will writing service with my bank account, so check yours in case you have similar privileges. I also know that I can get a reduced rate with the Co-op due to being a member.

Now you have reminded me I really must sort it out - even though it will be very basic!

Emma37

BigSaver wrote: »

Have you got one? Is one necessary? Did you get one done by a solicitor?

Where should I start? Read an ad, Will start from £29.99 + VAT but this is for a standard will(quite expensive for a paper, lol).

Heard about DIY wills? will they do?

I am looking to get one made soon. Any help with be great.

Thank you

Don't get a Do-it-Yourself will. Solicitors make a lot of their money by sorting out the mess that can be left by doing this. A will has to be worded very specifically, and misunderstandings can occur if you do it yourself. It could end up that the people who you wish to benefit get nothing. It's worth the cost and peace of mind to have one drawn up by a solicitor.

jog

Funny this, I have been trying to get quotes today for my husband and myself to get a will written. Ours would be fairly staright forward. Only one solicitor has got back to me so far and has just quoted me £235 upwards, depending on how long it takes him to do!

One thing I have read about are professional will writters rather than solicitors, does anyone know if they are O.K?

Thanks Jog

Errata

Emma37 wrote: »

Don't get a Do-it-Yourself will. Solicitors make a lot of their money by sorting out the mess that can be left by doing this. A will has to be worded very specifically, and misunderstandings can occur if you do it yourself. It could end up that the people who you wish to benefit get nothing. It's worth the cost and peace of mind to have one drawn up by a solicitor.

Couldn't agree more ! The threads there has been on this site over the years about wills that were badly phrased has been constant. If you want something to happen when you kick the bucket, make sure you employ a solicitor to write your will.

localhero

There is a viable alternative to paying fortunes to a solicitor for your Will.

The law allows anyone to be a willwriter - many are unqualified, unregulated and uninsured.

For your protection, check out the Institute of Professional Willwriters at www.ipw.org.uk to find a member in your area who will be properly qualified and insured.

Most will visit you at home for a fixed fee without any hidden extras and all members operate to a strict code of conduct.

Bitsy_Beans

I was lucky as I work for solicitors I had mine written for free. I think they get more expensive if the will gets more complicated etc. If it's straightforward it shouldn't be too bad (trust me - working as a legal cashier the smallest bills raised by solicitors tended to be for wills!).
I would still pay a solicitor even if I'd had it for free - I'd rather know I was getting the job done by a professional and that there could be no issues arising from the document in the event of my demise.

localhero

Bitsy_Beans wrote:

I would still pay a solicitor even if I'd had it for free - I'd rather know I was getting the job done by a professional and that there could be no issues arising from the document in the event of my demise.

Paying a fortune to a solicitor is no guarantee of that I'm afraid.

Errata

So how much would a completely straightforward will cost if it was drawn up by a Willwriter ?

localhero

Hi Errata,

It will vary from firm to firm. The unqualified willwriters will probably offer their services at the £49 mark to get in your front door and then try and build it up from there. These will invariably be salesmen attempting all sorts of wheezes like getting the client to appoint the firm as executors etc.

An IPW member must inform the client in advance what all their fees are and must act in an ethical professional manner.

Some members will charge more or less than my own firm for a standard Will which is £75, so it would be wise to shop around.