Free Wills (for union members)

1882

Don't think this has been posted before so here goes!

I've been thinking of getting a will drawn up for some years now but never bothered due to hassle and expense (around £70 I believe).

Then my union the CWU (Communications Workers Union) told me of their free will writing service.

Drop an email to [EMAIL="freewills@cwu.org"]freewills@cwu.org[/EMAIL] requesting a pack quote your membership number and address details and they pop it in the post.

The pack asks all the vital questions and you post it to one of their lawyers to prepare the will free of charge! They do ask to be made executors but it isn't compulsory.

They'll also do one for your partner free of charge.

They do state that if it's a complicated will they will charge but at a reduced rate!

If you're a member of a different union it may be worthwile checking out if they have a similar scheme.

Lugh_Chronain

UNISON members have a free wills service but are only eligible for cut price conveyancing.

Do bear in mind too that every other November is Willaid month when solicitors do wills for free in exchange for a charity donation although you don’t have to donate anything. 2008 is the year this falls on. This will be mentioned in Martin’s MoneyTips Email.

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

skybelle

My husband and I got our wills drawn up for free a couple of years ago through the T & G, although I am the only one who is a member.

alison

1882 wrote: »

The pack asks all the vital questions and you post it to one of their lawyers to prepare the will free of charge! They do ask to be made executors but it isn't compulsory.

Please be aware that if you make them executors, they will probably charge exhorbitant prices, that's how they and banks make their money from wills! A relative of mine used a solicitor as an executor and by the time he'd taken his cut there was little left for the family! Most probate is very straightforward, just a few forms to fill in and there is plenty of free help either on the internet or phone if you need it.

Llyllyll

The PCS also offer this service. See http://www.pcs.org.uk/Templates/internal.asp?NodeID=891659?NodeID=885146

sicandar

I agree with the above. Please read your will very carefully before signing. (as you should with anything you sign....)

My solicitors made themselves the trustees of the trust fund that would have been setup under the terms of my will for my kids. Then whenever any withdrawls or other transactions needed to be made they would have made a tidy sum from their cut (charging what they liked. The fees were not negotiated and if the worst happened the family would have been tied to them no matter what they charged under the terms of the will)

Now the solicotrs are about as nice a company as solicitors get and were not being malicious, i think and may just have charged a basic commission if it came to it, it's just how they and most solicitors work i believe. However the risk of abuse was there and some will inevitably abuse that position -

I only spotted it because someone had mentioned something similar on MSE. So thanks to them and MSE!

heather38

usdaw offer the same service as we had ours done when we got married.

cleverjake

Does anyone have any experience of using any of the online will writing services? I'm not a union member and we really should get a will sorted, but it is very straightforward so I don't want to spend a lot. Any recommendations greatly received!!

seoras_2

Amicus (soon to become Unite) also provide a free will writing service to members and their spouse. They also offer a low-cost conveyancing service, but it's optional.

peachespeaches

skybelle wrote: »

My husband and I got our wills drawn up for free a couple of years ago through the T & G, although I am the only one who is a member.

Thanks for that hint, my husband is in the T&G and we havent got wills, so I will make enquiries.

middleman_2

[Amicus (soon to become Unite) also provide a free will writing service to members and their spouse. They also offer a low-cost conveyancing service, but it's optional.]

Thanks, I'm with them and have been meaning to do this for a long time. Will certainly check it out.