Will Aid: Get a free will in November

System

Thank you for clarifying Errara, I read a paragraph as follows and must have misunderstood it :

The Probate Service - Guidance

The records which are available are almost all Wills proved and Grants of Representation issued in England and Wales since 1858. Grants of Representation and proved Wills are public records; anyone is entitled to obtain copies of them. However, not all estates need a Grant to be taken or a Will to be proved: copies are only available if a Grant has issued.

Baggysdad

For anyone taking part in WillAid this year they are also offering the following

http://www.certainty.co.uk/

It states :-
Search for a lost Will in 3 Steps

Using the 'Certainty Search Process' is simple.
There are two methods of searching for a lost Will, a 'Certainty Search Process' and 'Search by Certificate number'. If you have a certificate number click 'Search by Certificate Number' otherwise complete the form below. Not all fields are mandatory please complete the form as comprehensively as possible.
The Certainty Search Service costs £23 and includes a 12-month listing on the certainty missing will notice board.

The problem with this service is that they only register Wills drawn up by solicitors. The service is a commercial one (nothing wrong with that) set up with the backing of an ex President of the Law Society.

One in three wills are not drawn up by solicitors, so a lot of grieving relatives could spend £23 on the service looking for a Will that hasn't been drafted by one of their chosen few providers.

The service would have been (and could still be) of real value and benefit if it accepted registrations for wills written by Willwriters, trade unions, online wills and DIY wills.

But as it stands, its valueless - IMHO.

Errata

Summer01 wrote: »

Thank you for clarifying Errara, I read a paragraph as follows and must have misunderstood it :

The Probate Service - Guidance

The records which are available are almost all Wills proved and Grants of Representation issued in England and Wales since 1858. Grants of Representation and proved Wills are public records; anyone is entitled to obtain copies of them. However, not all estates need a Grant to be taken or a Will to be proved: copies are only available if a Grant has issued.

That refers to wills that have been granted probate - they all become public documents.

System

Baggysdad & Errata, thanks for your help with all this. I've requested the original wills and asked and asked HMCS for envelopes/forms so I can store there at a fee of £15.

Overall going back to topic on WillAid, I found the solicitor really helpful all the way through the process. They did not request cheque until we were happy and signed the wills and where just really helpful. Sorry to those who didn't have the same level of service when they tried to contact firms in their area but I would use this firm again without a doubt.

jgb9977

I am a STEP solicitor doing Will Aid for the first time this year and stumbled across this forum. I am shocked at people's experiences. I never push our services as executors and we store wills for free. Again when the family collect the will I explain the probate process and if they want to do it themselves I am happy for them to.

Solicitors cannot charge 6% for administering an estate, the maximum is 3% and I don't charge a value element, just my hourly rate.

I do feel it is cheeky for people to give less that the suggested donation as I am giving up my time (when I could be doing chargeable work) and my considerable expertise to help people.

but finally in answer to your question - it is the shareholding you are leaving in your will, You can save Inheritance Tax (IHT) if you leave it to a specific individual. If you do not mention the shares they fall into the residue of your estate and you potentially lose that IHT saving.

Localhero's points are also very valid so I will not repeat them

Hope that helps and sorry I had to vent a little after reading all the posts!

foxystoat69

Nearly that time of year again folks, the scheme is being run in November 2010

http://www.willaid.org.uk/