TotallyFreeWills discussion

Nice_Username

Errata wrote: »

The Pobate Office will store the original will for a one off fee of £15. It's the safest place for storage as commercial companies, and solcitors, can go out of business which the Probate Office can't. The Probate Office may be happy to store a copy for £15 but a copy of a will has no legal standing.
Good idea to give copies to the executors.

Thanks. Can I insist they send me the original then? I'm wondering - if this service is free, what's in it for them? How do they make any money then?

Errata

The original will, the one you are in the process of making, is YOUR PROPERTY, no organisation or persons can insist on it being stored with them. If this hasn't been explained to you by the company then you might want to take it as a solid hint that your will is best kept and stored safely by you.

I have no idea how they make their money

Nice_Username

UPDATE: Well, it's been about 6 weeks since I logged my will instruction online but I still have heard nothing from any solictor, and when I tried to email TotallyFreeWills I got a delivery failure notice.

I'm wondering if this service has now closed?

Nice_Username

Nice_Username wrote: »

UPDATE: Well, it's been about 6 weeks since I logged my will instruction online but I still have heard nothing from any solictor, and when I tried to email TotallyFreeWills I got a delivery failure notice.

I'm wondering if this service has now closed?

*bump*

Anyone else had the same problem?

Former_MSE_Wendy

Hi Nice Username

TotallyFreeWills has asked me to pass on the message that it will contact you to sort out any outstanding issues with your will.

If you PM me your contact details I will forward these on for you.

Wendy

ljandk

Just to let everyone know they apparently are not taking any new customers right now. Upgrading of their website taking place through to August. Great!:mad:

Hawkeye4aneye

Nice_Username wrote: »

I've just used this servce to make a will as I have 2 children and it's been playing on my mind for a while now (I'm only 40 but the kids lost their mum to cancer aged 30 and I live with a new partner now). It was so easy, despite my fairly complicated circumstances, so don't be put off if you think your situation is not straightforward, this site may still be able to handle it. Took me about 20 minutes, the site is very easy to navigate and every page is saved so if you get interrupted and have to logout you can pick up where you left off next time you log in. I will let you know how it progresses, how quickly the solicitor sends a copy of the will for me to sign etc. I'm just going to forward a copy to the probate office, and a copy to each of my 2 executors (a brother and sister). That should be enough peace of mind.

And please make sure you all give a cash donation to a nominated charity! :A

What a fantastic site, thank you MSE.

You mention you have a new partner, may I ask how long you have been together? If over two years there are possible implications for your estate. Also how the property is held can have implications. Was this mentioned anywhere before you signed?

Baggysdad

I have no idea how they make their money

The firm is owned by two guys who own a financial services firm.

TotallyFreeWills is/was(?) a jolly wheeze to harvest:
1) Leads for the financial services firm and
2) Commission from the sale of additional legal products and services, including the appointment of a law firm as an executor.

At one point the problems they were having were because the people who were going for free wills wanted something for nothing - and nothing more. So they were not buying the additional products that the solicitors who provide the service needed them to buy to make the free will worth them offering. So the scheme was losing service providers hand over fist - which is probably why a solicitor in Pembrokeshire ended up writing a Will for someone in Hampshire.

What I don't know is what happens if the scheme goes belly up. Is the contract with TotallyFreeWills or is it with the firm who supplies the Will? Which is important because if there is anything wrong with the Will (and with any of these automated systems, that is a distinct probability) then your recourse is with whoever your contract is with. Which will leave you - or more likely your family, high and dry IF the contract is with TotallyFreeWills and IF TotallyFreeWills fails.

I was staggered when MSE recommended this service. Seems to me that it was recommended on the basis that it was free, not that it was any good or that it is (was?) good value for the people who support MSE. Remember, there is no such thing as a free lunch.

JimmyH

I did the online form five weeks ago, but five weeks on I haven't heard a thing. Sent an email to the "info@totallyfreewills.com" email address asking if this is normal but it was returned as undeliverable (and yes I did double check I'd typed it right!). Does anyone know if this service has closed? The website is still up and running.

:mad:

Errata

TBH if they haven't replied after 5 weeks, it's probably a fair indication of their competence.