Making a will - any advice?

tubster

Hi all
I have two very young children and neither I or my wife have a will - any advice on the cheapest/best way of making one? I've got a DIY computer programme but I am slightly nervous of using it in case it is worthless. Do lawyers do cheap deals for people on a low income? How much does it cost roughly? Any thoughts appreciated
Tubster

mountainofdebt

I think it would be a good idea for the wiils to include things like who you would like to look after your children - should the worst happen and you both die leaving the children underage - and at what age you would like your children to be able to take charge of any inheritance. It might also be an idea for you to decide whether they could apply for any financial 'advances' (sorry I couldn't think of a better word!) if they decide to go on to university.

Also are there any specific gifts to any other relatives that you would want to make - such as specific ornaments (I know this is more of a girly thing but you never know!)

You may also want to include details of your preferred funeral arrangements - in both the case of my MIL and FIL it was abit of a guessing game as far as that was concerned.

Personally I think it would be better to have it drawn up professsionally - I've known of a case within my family where the inheritance was split up in a way which we know the deceased wouldn't have wanted it simply becuase the wording of a home made will.
To

hardpressed

Please don't go down the 'home made' will route, it's so important to get the wording right and nobody finds out it isn't untill it's too late. There is Will Aid month when some solicitor do a will in exchange for a donation to a charity, don't know when it is off hand, google should find it. Why not ring round the local solicitors and ask how much it costs, it really will be money well spent for the peace of mind of knowing that you children's interest are safeguarded.
I have no connection with an solicitors just know someone who had a home made will which turned out to be not valid as some of the wording was not correct. The benificaries lost thousands just because he had not spent £70 - £100 having it done properly.

maryotuam

Having kids, the most important thing to sort out is, who would become their guardians if anything should happen to their parents. This site https://www.thinkwill.co.uk has information about wills.

hardpressed

Will Aid month is November,probably too long to wait.

tubster

Thank you all for your advice; I will get this sorted out as soon as possible - the guardian issue is pretty important. The website was very useful, much appreciated
Tubster

elliebean_2

As has already been said, it is not a good idea to write a DIY Will. Also, be wary of will writers offering Wills for £20.

Solicitors spend a lot of time (and earn a lot of money) sorting out the result of invalid or badly drafted Wills. An alternative to a solicitor is to use a member of the Institute of Professional Willwriters Members are specialist will writers and are generally far more reasonably priced than solicitors.

HTH