Free Will: November's WillAid Month

willaid_press_officer

katskorner wrote:

I have a basic will but I need to make a change to it - do you think that I could do that for free or am I best simply making a brand new will that then superceeds the first?

You can update your will with a codicil. With Will aid the suggested donation for this is £40

vikkic

I did this two years ago. I donated £30. I phoned a solicitor and explained that I wanted to make an appointment through the WillAid scheme. I didn't ask how much it would cost me. I told them I would make my donation via the WillAid website and bring the receipt. I did not discuss at this point how much I should pay - it's none of their business as I was making a donation. When I went for the appointment I handed over the receipt. No comment was made about the amount and I got a will. Done and dusted! Maybe I just got a good solicitor, but if they had queried the amount at that point I would have pointed out that it was a donation. I'm sure explaining this point to the solicitor is taken on board a lot easier than explaining it to a receptionist!

Vikki

willaid_press_officer

vlismasm wrote:

Hi, just contacted my local solicitor listed but he will only draw up will's for people over the age of 50! Disappointed to say the least as my hubby and I aren't quite there yet. The solicitors have also chosen a charity themselves from the list so it is not always your choice from the listing.

There is no age restriction for Will Aid. it should be open to any adult. I guess this individual solicitors has decided to limit their offer. Suggest you try another solicitor.

willaid_press_officer

pokem02 wrote:

Does the solicitor make the donation? Or do we??

ie can we gift aid it and include it on our tax returns (so reducing the tax liability for higher rate tax payers)?

Yes you can

willaid_press_officer

Tight_as_a_gnats_chuff wrote:

Does your receipt from Willaid show how much you have donated?????

Yes it does show the amount

willaid_press_officer

Mecoconuts wrote:

I agree ! My mother just called her nearest Solicitor to ask about 2 wills.

They said the minimum donation is £100 each. They basically said the asking price by any Solicitor will be the donation and is non-negiotiable.

Looks like Willaid just lost out on another £50 x 2 donations then.

Also what proof do you get that these Solictors are actually donating this money ?

Sounds like a scam too me !

This is not a scam. You make your payment to Will Aid and not the solicitor and you will get a receipt. Or you acn make your donation at https://www.willaid.org.uk and take your receipt to the solicitor.

willaid_press_officer

pokem02 wrote:

Does the solicitor make the donation? Or do we??

ie can we gift aid it and include it on our tax returns (so reducing the tax liability for higher rate tax payers)?

You make the donation and can gift aid it

scorour

willaid_press_officer wrote:

This is not a scam. You make your payment to Will Aid and not the solicitor and you will get a receipt. Or you acn make your donation at https://www.willaid.org.uk and take your receipt to the solicitor.

But the point is, you suggest the donation is at the discretion of the Will maker, but the solicitors are not in agreement with your website, they INSIST on a set amount for donation, could you explain that please?

willaid_press_officer

Please remember that the whole purpose of Will Aid is to raise as much money as possible for charity and to persuade people to get around to writing a proper will.
But if you are having difficulties over the level of donation, we suggest you follow Vikki's advice:
"I phoned a solicitor and explained that I wanted to make an appointment through the WillAid scheme. I didn't ask how much it would cost me. I told them I would make my donation via the WillAid website and bring the receipt. When I went for the appointment I handed over the receipt. No comment was made about the amount and I got a will." Vikki

scorour

willaid_press_officer wrote:

Please remember that the whole purpose of Will Aid is to raise as much money as possible for charity and to persuade people to get around to writing a proper will.
But if you are having difficulties over the level of donation, we suggest you follow Vikki's advice:
"I phoned a solicitor and explained that I wanted to make an appointment through the WillAid scheme. I didn't ask how much it would cost me. I told them I would make my donation via the WillAid website and bring the receipt. When I went for the appointment I handed over the receipt. No comment was made about the amount and I got a will." Vikki

Don't fancy taking the risk personally, they seemed very insistant on how much they wanted.