Will Aid: Get a free will in November

andyroberts1967

digit wrote: »

after our experience. I suggest you make sure how much you are willing to donate. We had no idea and we didn't know which charities were involved in this scheme. The solictor was not prepared to move on without resolving this. We felt steamrollered into a donation. We are not pleased with the result.

How much did you donate in the end if you don't mind me asking digit? You'd expect the solicitor to ask for a donation during the consultation, wouldn't you? I didn't realise you could actually nominate a charity though - do you have to pick one from a list they have, or can you nominate your own?

I have made our appointment for November 4th next week, so feel as though I've achieved a very good start to sorting out our affairs today. I also think £110 is a very reasonable amount to pay, but obviously if you can only afford a smaller amount then it's not a problem, as long as you're not embarrassed by it - I wouldn't be if it was me. I think it's lovely to know that the money will go to charity, and very good of the solicitors involved to give of their working time.

limpingchicken

toshkininny wrote: »

sorry another question. If you are writing a will with your other half (who you are not married to) do you need to draw up two wills, or can you have a single joint will?

Thanks.

Probably a good idea to get two wills. As you're not married, if one of you dies, your partner is not entitled to anything, except for as guardian of your children (if any). A good solicitor will be able to draft a couple of mirror wills or similar type up for you. Approx wills are 175 for single or 300 for pair. Hope this helps.

willaid_press_officer

Will Aid donations are shared by the charities involved in the scheme. (ActionAid, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, Help the Aged, NSPCC, Save the Children, Sightsavers International, SCIAF and Trocaire). You do not have to- in fact, you cannot - nominate a charity.

You can leave a legacy to any charity so if you want to do this obviously you need to have made up your mind before your appointment.

A.Goodliffe

Don't forget these very helpful solicitors usually receive introductory commission or whatever they call it, together with commission from any money they've persuaded you to leave to their favoured charities.

willaid_press_officer

Unlike with some other charity will-writing schemes, Will Aid solicitors are not paid at all - no commission; no percentage.

whitewing

Is there any kind of expected timeframe for a response from the specified solicitor to the willaid contact form?

I've heard nothing yet. I'm not complaining, just wondering...

willaid_press_officer

There is no set time for them to respond. But if you haven't heard back in a few days try giving them a call.

LittleMissChatterbox_3

Just to encourage those of you still trying to decide whether to go for this or not ... my husband and I made wills through the Will Aid scheme in November 2004. The whole process was very straightforward - we just arranged a meeting, agreed on a simple structure for the will, and gave the solicitor the names and addresses of the beneficiaries at the meeting. He then drafted the will, sent it to us for proofing, we sent it back and then got copies of the finalised documents a couple of weeks later in the post.

Definitely worth £75 (and probably a lot more).

You will need to have the names and addresses of the beneficiaries at the appointment and the contact details of any charities you wish to include, just to speed things up.

Canaani

I've always thought you don't have to employ a solicitor to make a Will. Is that incorrect?
I thought that if you follow the format and wording of a Will and put in your own wishes, signed by 2 witnessess, then it is legal. Do I have to go to a solicitor?

nico13ba

I have heared rumours (?!) that there are some websites that you can download some simple forms for making a will. I have searched this website and the internet to find some information but to no avail.

Any ideas anyone?