Need to write a will.

Boomdocker

Need advice on this as I do not know how to even start. Never done one before but need to think about it now so any advice on who to see or where to go would be appreciated.

Many thanks.

cheerfulcat

See a specialist - find one here. Whatever you do, don't try to DIY.

HTH

Cheerfulcat

LittleVoice

IMHO DIY is fine if you have very simple requirements and can follow instructions, including on getting it witnessed. Prepared one for my mother after reading Which? guide and everything went through as anticipated when she died.

garryhq

I used a DIY company to create quite a compliacted mirror will for myself and spouse. The company I used were terrific and they had specialist staff available via email to help create some of the wording for our wills. Like I said, it was *really* complicated. I then recommended the company to my grown up kids and we all now have free updates for life!!
The best thing about the web site I used was the ability to write your will (and be happy with the result) before you had to pay for it!!
There are probably lots of similar companies about and their prices should be very reasonable - the one I used cost £29 single and £45 mirror.

Or, if you're not in a hurry, you could wait until the next WILL AID comes around in 2008. This is a charity event organised by solicitors who charge minimal fees for writing standard wills and the money is then given to charities.
http://www.willaid.co.uk/find.cfm

Or, are you in a union at work? Trade unions often offer their members a free will writing service, usually provided FOC by solicitors who will then charge you for any future updates etc..

mountainofdebt

I think the problem with DIY wills is that although you might think your wishes are clear, it only takes one person to question the interpretion and the situation ends up with the estate forking out a fortune in legal fees in getting it sorted.

Personally I would either get a personal recommendation of a solicitor or ring a few to see how much it would cost.....the other thing I would say is - unless your circumstances would result in friction or are complicated is don't get the solicitors to be executors - ask a family member or good friend to do it !

LittleVoice

mountainofdebt wrote: »

. . . the other thing I would say is - unless your circumstances would result in friction or are complicated is don't get the solicitors to be executors - ask a family member or good friend to do it !

I'd second that. If in the end (!) the executor(s) feel they can't deal with it, they can always go to a solicitor and get them to deal with probate matters but it's then their decision and, if they have any interest in the residual amount, may well think its worth doing it without the solicitor.

savvy

Actually just been looking at this myself, and found these 2 charities that do the same as National Will Week, just a bit earlier if you can't wait til November

Douglas Macmillan Hospice

St Annes Hospice

myrnahaz

I'm not sure how things work in your home town, but in Swansea there is something called 'free wills fortnight', where a bunch of solicitors get together and offer a free will writing service for 2 weeks - usually in the autumn. It is advertised in the local paper (South Wales Evening Post) and has been going for at least 2 or 3 years to my knowledge.

truckle

I got mine for £49 from http://www.surewill.co.uk - once it was signed I sent back a copy to be stored and registered on the national will register so it's never lost - all taken care of by them. The website's worth a look for the inheritance tax calculator - it tells you how much you could pay in tax. Luckily (or un-luckily depending on how you look at it) I won't have to pay any.

tanith

Thanks for all this information everyone I have just decided that now is the time to write my will as I have just taken early retirement , I just looked at the UNISON website , and members can use their free will writing service.. just wonder what people think of this ? Will it be inferior as its free or would they be likely to have very experienced people used to writing complicated wills? Don't get me wrong I don't have zillions to leave but am in a second marriage with children from my first marriage to safeguard... so its not quite straight forward...

any thoughts .........

elliebean_2

tanith wrote: »

Thanks for all this information everyone I have just decided that now is the time to write my will as I have just taken early retirement , I just looked at the UNISON website , and members can use their free will writing service.. just wonder what people think of this ? Will it be inferior as its free or would they be likely to have very experienced people used to writing complicated wills? Don't get me wrong I don't have zillions to leave but am in a second marriage with children from my first marriage to safeguard... so its not quite straight forward...

any thoughts .........

Can't comment on the Unison service, but I'm always sceptical of anything that's offered for free these days.

If you have a complex family situation, ie children from a previous marriage to protect, I would not recommend a DIY Will. You need somebody to take detailed instructions about your personal circumstances and what you want to happen with your assets when you die. I would recommend you try to find a local member of the Institute of Professional Willwriters: http://www.ipw.org.uk