Will Aid: Get a free will in November

System

Errata wrote: »

No they don't and no it isn't. A solcitor will offer to store the will for the willmaker, but sensible people will use the Probate Office safe storage facility for a one off fee of £15.

So I can tell the solicitor that I want the original back not just a copy? Thanks for the advice..

Errata

Good heavesn, of course you can - it's your property ! Just make sure it's stored somewhere safe like the Probate Office, rather than in a house that can burn down or where it's at risk of the first person that finds it discovering they are not a beneficiary, believe they should be, and they destroy it making you intestate.

System

Thanks Errata, I wanted to be sure before I went to see them. I will ensure that it's stored somewhere safe - thanks for the great advise..

wobsley

I used Will Aid last year and the process was quite simple. I encountered a problem when I realised that the local solicitor was essentially useless. It took 1 meeting, 1 telephone call (covering everything that was previously covered in the meeting) and then FIVE draft wills that had to be returned with corrections. Our meeting was in Nov 2008 - my final will was delivered June 2009 !!!

I emailed Will Aid but they never replied. Essentially, this is not Will Aids fault but surely it is in their interest to use competent solicitors.

So in light of my experience I would say use Will Aid (it is a good cause) but try and check out the Solicitor who is actually going to write your will and avoid the hassle that I had.

System

Thanks for your advise wobsley. That did take a long time - I hope they didn't try to charge you any extra for their time etc.

Snot

Hi,

I used Will Aid a 4 or 5 years ago and would definately recommend it. The Solicitor made no attempt to be named an Executor nor did he try selling any type of Trust nor Internitance Tax planning, despite being this being his specialty. The Will was very easy to understand and referenced the STEP rules. I think my donation was £75.

Regarding the comments on Solicitors only doing this to profit later on, how cynical can you get, you only have to say NO. Although becuase of the +ve experience I would use them again for any other matters. I recently collected my Dad's will from a different Solicitor, at no time did they try to sell their Probate services, the only difficulty was getting the Executors together to actually collect it.

It's a false ecomony not making a will, and if you're a higher tax payer - put the donation down on your self assesment.

System

wobsley wrote: »

I used Will Aid last year and the process was quite simple. I encountered a problem when I realised that the local solicitor was essentially useless. It took 1 meeting, 1 telephone call (covering everything that was previously covered in the meeting) and then FIVE draft wills that had to be returned with corrections. Our meeting was in Nov 2008 - my final will was delivered June 2009 !!!

I emailed Will Aid but they never replied. Essentially, this is not Will Aids fault but surely it is in their interest to use competent solicitors.

So in light of my experience I would say use Will Aid (it is a good cause) but try and check out the Solicitor who is actually going to write your will and avoid the hassle that I had.

I've just realised reading the following thread that as I already have a will from 2005 I can just amend this exising one and not have to have a completely new one, so will do this

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/protect/free-cheap-wills

Thanks again for all your advise and help

I also searched for the solicitors on STEP and none of the ones in my area on this website :-
http://www.step.org/searchuser.pl

System

Is anyone aware that if you have a limited company and are the sole director would this need to be specified seperately in your will or is it already assumed under "all money, assetts, etc"? Is it worth spelling this out at all...

localhero

It is irrelevant who the directors are, it is the shares (being the asset) which will pass according to your Will.

You do not need to specify this asset in your Will as it will pass as part of your residuary estate. Of course you may have someone in mind to receive the shares and you may even wish to appoint separate executors to deal with the business.

If you want this company to continue after your death you will need to think about appointing additional directors or obtaining `key man` insurance.

System

Thanks localhero, I would imagine it would be closed down and any money taken out of it - appreciate the advise..