Will Aid: Get a free will in November

Strapped

As ever, it seems that it pays to shop around. Hubby and I decided that we wanted to update our wills a while back and WillAid month seemed a good time to do so. Unfortunately, the first (nearest) solicitor on the list that we contacted was not very keen when we mentioned that our wills may not be completely straightforward (second marriage) and said he "may need to charge extra fees on top of the (suggested donation of) £110". We decided to look elsewhere and have made an appointment with a STEP qualified solicitor who said he was completely happy with drawing up our two wills including advising us on trusts etc for a £110 donation. We have to travel a bit further but feel happier knowing the terms up front and that we are seeing someone well qualified.

Strapped

PS Does anyone else think that the title of this thread should be changed? It's not a "free" will, or at least it shouldn't be. As I said above, we're happy to make the suggested donation of £110, but even if we couldn't afford the full amount, we would still donate something - the solicitor wouldn't, and shouldn't imo, expect to donate their time for "nowt"! Perhaps it should be "reduced price will"?

grownupgirly

I got my will made out this week at a Solicitors in my area (South East Dorset/Hampshire). I had an excellent experience. The Solicitor was very very polite, respectful and business-like. I saw him last Friday.

When I asked if I could make the donation on the Willaid website after seeing him (not before!), he said 'of course'. I then took the receipt to his office the following Monday. There was absolutely NO issue whatsoever with the fact that I only donated 40 pounds for a single will. The next day I received the draft copy, which I corrected and took back today (Friday), which they then immediately redrafted and I signed it all this afternoon. They are storing the will for free, too and gave me a free copy in an official sealed Will envelope. I couldnt be happier with their service. They are not the executors of my will, either.

So I say, 'go for it!'

Strapped

Had our appointment on Friday. Asked about the donation at the end of the meeting, and the solicitor said "you pay when the job is done and you're happy". Result Waiting for draft wills to arrive.

Chia

Thanks for posting this, but, a note to MSE writers/copy editors: the word is "umbrage", not "umbridge".

I'm not trying to be negative...just pointing it out since people might read the original post and think that "umbridge" is correct.

kaligand

Probably no-one will read this as we are now in Jan but:
I advise willaiders to check what the fees are if you go over the 'willaid' donated time. My solicitors fees are apparently £350/hr!! That is for a junior solicitor. They didn't make that clear at the outset and now I expect a dispute.

sloughflint

Baggysdad wrote: »

Nobody does anything for free these days - least of all a solicitor.

So where's the catch?

Well, as stated a few times in this thread - its in the administration of the estate. Solicitors have wide ranging powers to charge for the administration of the estate. Some charge on a time spent basis - so the slower and more incompetent they are - the bigger the bill. Others charge a % of the estate - so the fee thy get is based on how wealthy you are - not on the amount of work they need to do to sort your affairs.

And they don't need to be appointed as executors. As long as the solicitor is holding onto the original will (unsurprisingly, they will keep it for 'free') they are in a position of power. When your grief stricken relatives go to the solicitor to reclaim the Will, they'll get a 5 minute chat about how difficult things will be. Unsurprisingly, the solicitor will have a solution - they will take all of the troubles off your distraught relatives hands. And they'll reclaim the cost of doing so, along with the cost of the Will, done for free, and the cost of storing it, done for free and a shed load of profit from your estate.

Go for this scheme by all means - but please don't think you are on to a winner. You are not. I am surprised this scheme got promotion by MSE.

Words of wisdom here.:T:T:T

Interesting new thread here:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=18481051

Any comment Willaidpressofficer or MSE Archna?

Strapped

sloughflint wrote: »

Words of wisdom here.:T:T:T

Interesting new thread here:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=18481051

Any comment Willaidpressofficer or MSE Archna?

The solicitors I used were perfectly happy to hand over the original Will as well as a copy foc, so I could lodge it with the High Court for safe keeping. No problems for me and great scheme all round :T

sloughflint

Strapped wrote: »

The solicitors I used were perfectly happy to hand over the original Will as well as a copy foc, so I could lodge it with the High Court for safe keeping. No problems for me and great scheme all round :T

Did you read the link I gave?

Not all will behave inappropriately but people need to be aware.

Glad you are happy though and most relieved that you chose a STEP solicitor.

Strapped

I did. That solicitor was trying to pull a fast one. But as ever, it's a case of "buyer beware". You can hardly blame the scheme for that.