Making a will

misterthrifty

I have decided that it's time that I made a (simple) will. I have heard horror stories about DIY kits from Smiths etc not being water tight, so not too keen on this method.

Can anybody recommend one of the online sites that do will writing or any other suggestions for getting this done at a reasonable cost?

TIA

Mr T

Bossyboots

Go and see a solicitor and get it done properly. It won't cost much for a simply will. There is a thread here somewhere of someone's mum being horrendously ripped off by one of those will writing companies although they did get the money back.

misterthrifty

Yes I read that too. How much should I be looking at to get a solicitor to do it?

Bossyboots

misterthrifty wrote:

Yes I read that too. How much should I be looking at to get a solicitor to do it?

It will depend on where you live but probably between £65 - £90 should be what you would expect for a standard will. There may be areas where it is cheaper but I don't think more than £90 is justified, even in London.

alyth

Please do go and see a lawyer and get it done properly, I work in this area of law and with all the IHT changes that are coming in at the moment, even if you don't have property at the moment they may apply to you in the future when you forget all about your will! I charge £85 plus VAT for a will, even if it's slightly more complicated, and for peace of mind it's worth the money and the time seeing the lawyer.

Robert_Sterling

Click Here

You may find the above site interesting.
I did.
However I actually used a solicitor.

homersimpson_3

many organisations will draft a will for you for nothing- you fill out the required form which is sent to a solicitor- who do you work for? what organisations are you a member of? may save you £90.

mrs_baggins

I am in the same situation. I am thinking its about time I made a will. As i have been married before there are issues with who will get my house etc and IHT so mine possibly isnt straightforward. I made enquiries at solicitors as I dont think an online one will just do it if its not straightforward and have been quoted at £200. more than i wanted to pay and it seems that all i have contacted are about this amount even though 5 solicitors just never even bothered to contact me back. But i would rather pay this and know that if i died the day after it would be what i wanted and no problems for my children and husband.

misterthrifty

It's all a bit tricky really. I have heard that solicitors make more money from sorting out badly drawn wills than they do from writing them, but....although I have enough assetts to make a will worthwhile, I don't have sufficient cash to pay for it without making difficult decisions (and then having to change it in a years time after the next budget!)

I have heard about charity schemes before, the solicitor prepares the will and you make a donation to a charity, has anybody else got more info on this?

goodscams

Who do you bank with, I'm sure Barclays do a free will writing service to its addition account holders, might be worth paying the £12 a month for a couple of months then cancel it once you have your will. I'm sure other banks will offer you this service.

cheerfulcat

There is a Will Aid campaign due in November; you can have a will drawn up by a solicitor in exchange for a donation to charity ( £75 is suggested ). Other charities offer free will-writing services; Animal Aid, for example. Google " free will writing " for more. Some unions also offer such a service.