Will Drafters Ltd. - What do they do?

clairehi

Really sorry to hear about your dad, I too lost mine to the big c (last Xmas day)
I am sure your mum is very glad of all your help and support right now. it is very sad that unscrupulous people (including the co-op !!!!!!!) seem to take advantage of the elderly and others trying to plan ahead to spare their relatives cost and hassles when they are gone.
Hopefully, once the dust settles you will be able to help your mum ensure her affairs are sorted for the future and avoid any more of these ripoff merchants.

monkey_spank

Just had a quick look at the site.

This firm does not belong to any professional organisation and nor does it display its fees.

The law allows anyone to call themselves a willwriter. No qualifications, training or insurance is required.

The customer has no way of knowing whether the consultant knows what they are talking about and not a salesman looking to sell all sorts of extras. Nor is there any independent means of redress if anything goes wrong.

Until this area of law is properly regulated check out the Institute of Professional Willwriters. Members must pass exams and complete training and abide by a consumer code of conduct - www.ipw.org.uk :T

dfarry

Did some one delete the Willdrafters post? I was going to reply to them.

monkey_spank

It was probably removed because it was considered spam.

dfarry

OK... I was going to reply... some of the comments made were fine but I can't remember exactly what they were. Suffice to say my mother hasn't needed any of their services since my father died.

Bettiboo

Hi, your thread reminded me that I had returned my paid-for wills for my husband and myself to Will Drafters because there was a typing error on it, and never got them back. I've rung them and they tell me because I opted to keep them at home they would have to re-do the wills effectively and charge me £95 again regardless of whether it is a copy or new ones. Stupidly, I don't appear to have taken a copy before returning them. They say they have nothing on record that it came back to them. Do I have any comeback????

Baggysdad

When did you have the documents drafted? What does your contract say?

I would write to then pointing out that they were paid to draft Wills for you. They have yet to meet their side of the contract - you want the Wills that you have paid for, or a full refund. If you get nowhere - take them to the small claims court.

Will Drafters has found itself at the wrong end of some litigation in a test case regarding their tactics when appointed to deal with the administration of an estate.

See here (towards the bottom of the article):

http://blog.certainty.co.uk/beware-the-curse-of-the-unwanted-executor

Dropshort

These people do not seem to take "No" for an answer.

Some years ago, a relative of my wife decided to write Wills, using this Company's services. The Wills contained - allegedly as I have not seen the Wills - a bequest to my daughter, then aged about 6.

They asked if I could be named as a contact - and that was the word used - so that I could ensure that my daughter received her bequest when the time came, as she would hopefully be an adult at that time.

Both of the relatives dies very recently and to my great shock, I learnt that I was named as the Executor!

I checked with a legal company retained by my trade union, who confirmed my research that I have the right to refuse to act as Executor.

Despite my sending Will Finders Ltd a letter to this effect, they are still emailing me and suggesting that they act on my behalf.

I am now faced with the possibility of having to engage a solicitor to act on my behalf to prevent any further harrassment by Will Drafters Ltd.

Myadvice? proceed with caution and be prepared for a fight.

farmerrob

Hey. Whatever you do dont instructthem to act for you. the fees are extortionate see the comments above. they are being taken to court at the moment by Final Duties, they seem like fair guys why not try them.

Dropshort

Farmerrob, the latest is that after me threatening to make a formal complaint for harassment they backed off. However, they are now leaning on the 71 year old brother in law of the deceased! He has asked if he can have access to the flat to recover some personal items and possessions and that's it - the firm now have their hooks into him!
I've advised that he contacts his CAB for help. I'll dig out Final Duties phone number and suggest he rings them.