Need to write a will

cuffie

Hi

My husband and I need to write a will......been meaning to for ages, but just so busy we have not got around to it yet. What are the "do it yourself" wills like? Are they legal? Its is not complicated. Both married, have 3 children, not been married before, no other dependents........

Or do we need to see a solicitor? (which would obviously cost more)

Thanks

payless

Depends on how complex you wishes are:

http://www.moneymadeclear.org.uk/pdfs/retirement_14_wills.pdf

gives some guidance.

Personally I have no problem with "DIY" for the more basic needs

p00hsticks

cuffie wrote: »

Its is not complicated. Both married, have 3 children, not been married before, no other dependents........

If the children are under eighteen, then it's not THAT straightforward, as you need to consider and sort out what you want to happen if the two of you both died at the same time (e.g in a car accident) - who would you want to look after the children ?


You are probably looking at 'mirror wills' (where each is more or less identical, with one leaving everything to the other if still alive and split between the children if not) - but I'd say get proper advice - it's not that expensive. I seem to recall that there is an annual will writing campaign run by solicitors (in November ?) where you can get a will written up cheaply or in return for a donation to charity

Ms_Piggy_2

We've just made a will via Will Aid 2010.

It cost £110 for a joint will which I think is a good price - and is even better, the money goes to charity.

clw1

I have not used a DIY will but if your children are under 18 you will need to leave the money in trust and include trustees and guardians in the will so it might be more complex.

OH and I have 1 child and to have wills written it was £175 + VAT so not too expensive.

Mojisola

You might think it's not complicated but is that because of the "unknown unknowns"?

There are a lot of pitfalls and major problems can be caused by not knowing what you need to know.

To protect each other and your children, find the time to see a professional.

Frosti

Have a look at:
https://www.willaid.org.uk/

A local solicitor I found on this site last year sorted out my Will, for about half their usual fee which they gave to charity. This scheme runs in November but tends to get booked up fast (my solicitor had agreed to do a certain number of Wills and was booked up by bonfire night) - so don't wait too long!

payless

interesting comments posted to this article
http://www.ifaonline.co.uk/ifaonline/news/1727111/ifas-warned-writers-following-panorama-probe

Posts implies many soilicitors don't do any training in wills. Although I am sure most know what they are doing.

I have also met a number of non-solicitor "will writers" of varying levels of professionalism

oysterman

cuffie wrote: »

Hi

My husband and I need to write a will......been meaning to for ages, but just so busy we have not got around to it yet. What are the "do it yourself" wills like? Are they legal? Its is not complicated. Both married, have 3 children, not been married before, no other dependents........

Or do we need to see a solicitor? (which would obviously cost more)

Thanks

Are you or husband in a union, me & oh did it through our union's & it was free earlier this year. Def get it done asap especially with dependent children.

cuffie

Thanks so much. Have booked an appointment through WillAid. What a great idea! Thanks again. I feel thats one big thing that had been on my "to do" list for absolutely ages. Cheers. xx

LauraN_3

Like a few others have said, do WillAid. It starts in November this year and all the money goes to charity. We're booked up to get a joint will done in November as we now have a baby and need to make sure if the worst should happen he's looked after