Will Week

Smitty

I booked my appointment but the solicitor was very keen to emphasize that it cost £65 + VAT

I am just concerned they are going to force me to pay £65 + VAT... they can't force me, can they? :-/

Can someone put my mind at ease? Otherwise I will be sweating all the way through my appointment on Monday

Pink.

I'd be surprised if there wasn't a form to fill in and a box to tick for the Gift Aid. But if not, it is now very easy to gift aid to any charity: although most have a proper form which they may ask you to complete. Here's something I found on http://www.givingcampaign.org.uk/ (specifically HERE if you want to hop straight to it)

Sample Declaration (used together with name and address)
I want (insert name of charity) to Gift Aid all donations I’ve made since 6 April 2000 and
all future donations until I notify you otherwise. I confirm that the amount I have paid
in income tax or capital gains tax in the tax year will at least equal the amount the
charity will claim.

Thanks Savvy_ sue

Pink

GCooper

G Cooper says Tesco do a will on-line. Ican't find it on the web site.How much do they charge?

They do not do this one line, but sell DIY packs on line. These cover not only wills, but also other areas. I advise extreme caution with DIY wills. Whilst they might be fine in many cases, it is always wise to get them professionally drawn up and preferably by a Solicitor. I am not a probate lawyer and therefore don't get involved in will-drafting. However, I am a litigation solicitor who has to sort out the messes when wills are not done properly or a dispute arises. You can cut down your chances of your family getting into an expensive dispute if you the will done properly.

Jo4

Ill take it off ya hands

mmm... if you did not want them to have it till they were 18, this would involve setting up a trust fund. This would probably be outside the will-aid, simple will package and you would pay extra for this.

would you want the house sold, then the proceeds putting in trust funds for your nephews and nieces?

I don't know what way it works! If the house wasn't sold sure who would keep it until they are 18? When they are 18 which one would get it?

seekaywun

I am a member of the Transport and General workers Union, they offer a free will making service.  I also believe to be the case of some of the other unions.

You are right.. I am in USDAW and they do the FREE will making service too - you are effectively paying for it through your subs each month. I have been in other unions too and they offered the same service. So if you are a union member you should check this option out ;D

scotsbob

Solicitors rarely do anything for nothing. The solicitor will ask about financial needs of your dependants and then is most likely to try to sell you insurance policies on which he/she gets commision. Expect a very hard sell. This has been the experience of friends and colleagues who have taken up this offer.

GCooper

Solicitors rarely do anything for nothing. The solicitor will ask about financial needs of your dependants and then is most likely to try to sell you insurance policies on which he/she gets commision. Expect a very hard sell. This has been the experience of friends and colleagues who have taken up this offer.

By and large, Solicitors not allowed to sell insurance products. The exceptions are After the Event Legal Expenses policies to assist clients with guarding against the risk of losing a Court case and Defective Title policies to assist clients when undertaking conveyancing. If a Solicitor is to sell insurance products, then the Solicitor has to be subject to huge amounts of regulation, in much the same way as IFAs. For this reason, and in view of the complexities and expense of complying with the financial regulation rules, most high street Solicitors actually steer clear of giving financial advice. Therefore, you are actually pretty unlikely to face any kind of sell for insurance policies and are more likely to experience this if the will is drawn by a bank, accountant, financial adviser, or unregulated will drafter.

Whilst it is undoubtedly true that Solicitors may well require payment, as long as the fee is fair for the work undertaken, and the work is undertaken properly and skillfully, there is nothing wrong with that. For example, one would never dream of consulting one's dentist and then complaining that he shouldn't charge you just because he is a dentist - why should a solicitor be any different? Do not be put off having your will properly drawn through fear of large bills and salesmanship. If you experience bad service, complain, but whilst most wills are not difficult and standard form, off-the-shelf, will may be perfectly fine, it is probably wise to have this specialist task undertaken by someone who knows what they are doing, has insurance to cover you against the risk of getting it wrong, and who also provides you with an effective means of complaining in the event of problems.

worthago

Hi, I telephoned to make an appointment for a will through this scheme and was asked if I was aware of the charges. When I said I knew of the 'suggested' amounts but would like to make a donation of my own chosen amount they refused to book the appoinment. I also said that in any event, I would prefer to make the donation via the will aid web site and was told that if that was the case then they would want to see proof that the £65 had been paid before seeing me! Not helpful at all. Needless to say no appointment has been made. I would be very interested in how Smitty got on today as they seem to have had similar information?

mariejader

I have been reading this post with some interest and am myself going to try and get an appointment with a local solicitor to have wills made up for my husband and I.

Speaking from my recent experience over the last month as I have just lost my father I hope I am able to answer a few questions:-


Let me explain I am an only child and my mother is still living my parents house is owned by them and has no mortgage outstanding.

If you have a will let someone know where it is kept!! as it's no use making one and leaving it with a solicitor if no one knows about it.

1. We arranged the funeral with out any need of the will, one thing to remember is that if you have requests for your funeral then the solicitor is really not the best person to deal with this unless you have told someone to advise them immediately of your death as they may not know until after the event that you have in fact died. and as mentioned before it's to late then.

2. There is so much to deal with after your death changing bank accounts etc my parents had joint accounts and the banks were happy with just seeing a copy of the death certificate. (I would suggest that you get at least 5 extra copy's of this when the death is registered as the world and their wife want a copy they do return them to you at a later date)

3. The pension's had been the hardest things as they also wanted proof of marriage certificates before they would pass future payments to my mum.

4. Luckly the house was purchased in joint names as the house is now owned and has been for some time all that was needed there was to put a copy of the death certificate will the deeds.

I hope these few points may help someone, but I am deffinately off to sort my will out and make sure that my son will be looked after if something terrible happens, as like me he is an only child and I would hate to think that my in-laws would take his inheritance away from him. I know this is a terrible thing to say but beleive me it happens and although I know it probably would not happen in our case you never know.


If anyone has had their will done now throug this offer can they let us know if you are made to pay the £65

sicandar

Does anyone know of any do it yourself (free!) will making website or online/downloadable help

I know they aren't as good but still better than nothing!

/reckons I would feel guilty just walking out on the solicitor without donating to their charity even though I have just given my regular donations to my favourite charities