Creating an online will

mrsrolfie

Hi everyone
Just after a little advice or wondering if anyone has any tips. Been reading Martin's weekly email and myself and my husband really need to write a will. I noticed a link to doing an online DIY one with Which, so I think we are going to go with that. You have to pay upfront, which is fine, but I am not sure of what we will need to provide and I am worried that if I cannot fill in all the questions etc that the will will be invalid and our money wasted. Could anyone give me an idea of what information I will need? It would be a very simple will, we just have a house here in the UK which is jointly owned by us and we have a little girl who would be looked after by her grandparents should the worst happen, god forbid. Thanks in advance.

Browntoa

its not a basic will then

you need to make provision for the estate whilst your grandparents are looking after your child , what happens if they pass away before you , is the money to be held in trust etc and at what age the child should take ownership of the assets.

I'd use a professional

mrsrolfie

Ah right, I thought it was quite straightforward! Glad I asked. Thank you.

G6JNS

mrsrolfie wrote: »

Hi everyone
Just after a little advice or wondering if anyone has any tips. Been reading Martin's weekly email and myself and my husband really need to write a will. I noticed a link to doing an online DIY one with Which, so I think we are going to go with that. You have to pay upfront, which is fine, but I am not sure of what we will need to provide and I am worried that if I cannot fill in all the questions etc that the will will be invalid and our money wasted. Could anyone give me an idea of what information I will need? It would be a very simple will, we just have a house here in the UK which is jointly owned by us and we have a little girl who would be looked after by her grandparents should the worst happen, god forbid. Thanks in advance.

Go and get the job done with a local solicitor. They will be able to answer your queries. As for the child you need to be aware that it will be up to the Court to decide what is in her best interests if disaster does strike. It is not something that the will can address though obviously provision for her can be made that would be held in trust until she is 18.

Browntoa

yes, theres also the question of the childs guardians being allowed some limited access to the estate or get some sort of "wage" from the estate for the childs living expenses etc

you may want them to go to a private school , you may want assets released to finance uni if they are still under 18

think you need to sit down and make a list of things to think about and cover

securityguy

How would the grandparents fund looking after their granddaughter? Would you be happy with a lot of money sat in a bank account waiting for her to turn 18, while in the meantime she lives on benefits? You need professional advice.

mrsrolfie

Thank you all, lots of things that I hadn't thought of. Very useful!

Mojisola

mrsrolfie wrote: »

Thank you all, lots of things that I hadn't thought of. Very useful!

There are lots of 'what ifs' that you have to consider when making a will. A good solicitor will give you plenty of things to consider before writing the will.

What would happen if all four adults died together? Who would you name in your will as reserve to care for your daughter?

G6JNS

Mojisola wrote: »

There are lots of 'what ifs' that you have to consider when making a will. A good solicitor will give you plenty of things to consider before writing the will.

What would happen if all four adults died together? Who would you name in your will as reserve to care for your daughter?

Naming a guardian in a will has, AFAIK, no legal force.

Mojisola

G6JNS wrote: »

Naming a guardian in a will has, AFAIK, no legal force.

I know but, unless there are very good reasons why the person named by parents shouldn't take care of the children, Social Services would go along with their wishes.

G6JNS

Mojisola wrote: »

I know but, unless there are very good reasons why the person named by parents shouldn't take care of the children, Social Services would go along with their wishes.

Putting it in the will is not the correct way to do it. What they should do is discuss it with the grandparents and arrange for their wishes to be made clear in a letter to be opened immediately in the unfortunate event of their demise.