Will Aid - is my lawyer trying to pull a fast one?

Riddzy

Hope I've posted this in the right place...

My partner and I recently visited a lawyer to write our wills as part of the Will Aid promotion in November. We were told that we could make a donation but £75 each was about right (for two wills). That is fine.

Today I received the draft will. Accompanied with the will is a long explanation about charges. Then it says that because we're participating in the WA scheme the above charges don't apply. Then:

"You are at liberty to donate how much you wish however the minimum donation for BOTH wills prepared is no less than £150 plus VAT. Please have a cheque ready in the sum of £150 plus VAT PER will total amount being £360 so that we may forward the same upon completion."

I'm no expert but isn't VAT currently 20%? And am I really required to pay VAT on a charitable donation??

I am planning to pay them (or Will Aid, rather) the original £150. But can anyone explain to me what he is playing at so when I walk into his office I am prepared?!

Ames

20% of £150 is £30, so £360 is right.

Not sure about whether he can add VAT, but the prices sound fair.

property.advert

You wouldn't trust these clowns with your investments would you ?

2 x 75 = 150 end of.

2 x 75 x 2 + 20% = 360

Go to pay £150 and if they kick up a fuss, just give them nowt. Feel free afterwards to sully their name for their attempted thievery.

Blackpool_Saver

Yes, I was conned like this with a lawnmower repair, was told £25, I said does that include everything,VAT labour etc, and they said yes, when I got there to pick it up it was nearer £50

Riddzy

Ames - am I being a bit slow here? One will is £75. 20% of 75 is £15. (75x2)+(15x2) = £180. How did you get to £360??

Thanks for your comments. Property.adverts, yes I am just going to pay the original £150. But just wondering if he has any right to ask for this money?

Emmzi

You know it could just be the new work experience typist making an error. Does sounds like it. "Pulling a fast one" sits badly for me because essentially the solicitior is doing a good thing here.

Also he has requested LESS than this year's suggested minimum donation of £85 per will. (£125 mirror wills but I don't know if that is what you have)

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

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

Riddzy

Emmzi - all my dealings have been with this lawyer directly. It was he who suggested the £75/will.

He sent me an email from his personal email account detailing the fees, as well as a letter, worded slightly differently.

Emmzi

Fair dos. I'd probably give him the £85 a head with a cheery "the website says it went up from last year, here you go - do you have the gift aid for to get my tax back?"

Riddzy

Yeah I'm thinking that I might just pay the extra £15 VAT on the donation (paying £180 in all), but making the cheque out to Will Aid - NOT his firm, as he suggested.

krlyr

Do you have an email or anything in writing confirming the initial £75 per will fee, or was it just verbally agreed?

Riddzy

It was just verbally agreed, krlyr. But the Will Aid website makes it quite clear.

Also, he mentions the extra charge is VAT - which is 20%. So it is not like he can fabricate extra additions to the bill, he has put in writing that it is VAT. So maybe it's just a miscalculation.

Sorry that didn't read very well - have not had much sleep thanks to the baby!