cost of a will

freedom

Hi
What would a simple will costs likely to be in the London area
Thanks

Savvy_Sue

Sorry, but this is a 'how long is a piece of string' question.

Try phoning a few solicitors in smart and not so smart areas. Check you are using a solicitor who does wills and probate rather than convenancing or criminal work for their 'bread and butter'. If someone's 3 times the price, ask why? If someone's dirt cheap, ask why?

Spend some time considering what you want to put in it, and some 'what if' questions, eg I want to leave it all to Fred, but what if Fred dies before me, do I want his children to get the lot?' A good professional would go through these with you, but if you've already thought about the answers that will save time.

Think about who you want to appoint as executors, and resist the solicitor's suggestion that really it needs a professional. No need to pay for them to store it either, far better to send it to the Probate Office.

Optimist

freedom wrote: »

Hi
What would a simple will costs likely to be in the London area
Thanks

If you can wait until November when Will Aid starts you can make a donation in return for a correctly solicitor drawn up will. There are suggested donation rates £75 for a singe will or £110 for a pair of mirror wills

http://www.willaid.org.uk/

littlemissbossy

Although I don't live in London, my hubby and I have just had mirror wills done they were £180 for both.

HTH

zaksmum

Are you a union member by any chance? We got our wills done completely free a couple of months ago by a solicitor in Chester, though we could've used solicitors all over the UK.

My husband is a retired member of Unite, which used to be Transport and General Workers Union.

Worth checking out.

lilac_lady

I had a will done by a solicitor for £80 + VAT = £92. I think that's an average cost.

G_M

A number of charities provide free wills - they pay the solicitor's fee but in return expect you to leave them something in your will. If you are donating to charity in your will anyway, either to minimise inheritance tax or just to support a charity, it's a good way to get a free will. EG

Alzheimer's Society (Birmingham, over 55)

Cancer Research UK (Over 55)

Institute of Cancer Research (Over 50)

Roy Castle Foundation (Liverpool, Over 55)

Stroke Association

RNLI (Fife, over 55)

gnvqsos

lilac_lady wrote: »

I had a will done by a solicitor for £80 + VAT = £92. I think that's an average cost.

Either you or your solicitor cant calculate;the vat should be either £14 or £16;risking your assets with an innumerate solicitor may prove expensive despite a saving of £2/4 now

alanq

£80 would have given rise to £12 VAT when the rate was 15% giving a total amount of £92. Think carefully before questioning other people's numeracy.

GillM

freedom wrote: »

Hi
What would a simple will costs likely to be in the London area
Thanks

My mother and I had our (simple) wills drawn up by a local solicitor last month. I just googled all local solicitors then emailed half a dozen to ask for a quote and also to ask if they had any arrangements with charities (as some will do this at times other than November). One response referred to a charity based only 3 miles from my home and subsequently the solicitor came to the house (my mum is 92 and not very mobile) to do both wills. My brother happened to be staying with us for a few days when the wills were ready for signing, and having seen copies of our draft wills and being happy to use similar wording he ended up doing his as well! Everything is paid for by the charity and we just had to leave them a legacy. Worth trying the same thing, although I imagine terms may vary.

I'd agree with those who say DO NOT put the solicitor down as executor, a friend's in-laws did that and charged a fortune even though my friend ended up doing most of the pratical work (going through paperwork etc). My solicitor didn't suggest it. I understand it's not that difficult to execute a will provided you get a check list from someone who's done it - sure to be one on the internet somewhere - and you could ask a friend and leave them a small legacy as a thank you - better they have the money than a solicitor! Good luck