Getting a will in place, just incase

mummy_Jay

Hello,

I need some advise, I'm a single mum with a little one. I am worried what will happen to my little one incase of my death (I know its a morbid thought but its important). I want to ensure that if anything happens to be everything will be fine.

I spoke to a solistor about writing a will and got told I was looking in the region of £500. For a piece of paper to say all my belongs go to my child and until the age of 18 such and such is to be his guardian, seems too much.

I'm sure there is a cheaper way but where to start, please if anyone can advise me on this, it would be most appreciated.

misswig

mummy_Jay wrote: »

Hello,

I need some advise, I'm a single mum with a little one. I am worried what will happen to my little one incase of my death (I know its a morbid thought but its important). I want to ensure that if anything happens to be everything will be fine.

I spoke to a solistor about writing a will and got told I was looking in the region of £500. For a piece of paper to say all my belongs go to my child and until the age of 18 such and such is to be his guardian, seems too much.

I'm sure there is a cheaper way but where to start, please if anyone can advise me on this, it would be most appreciated.

Hi

I am in the exact position as yourself, i'm a single mum of a 3 year old. When my ExH passed away earlier on in the year, i went to see my solicitor regarding a will not only to ensure that my estate went to my son (which as a next of kin it would automatically do) but also to appoit executors of my will and legal guardians to my son should anything happen to me. It took 10 mins to prepare as it was a strightforward will and cost £88.

I wouls approach anothe solicitors to ask for their advice and prices

HTH

honeypop

http://www.do-it-yourself-wills.co.uk/index.htm?aukbaUn038make_a_will

£9.95 to do it all online, fine if it is a simple one, so should be ok if all you want to do is say everything goes to your child and who should be a guardian.

paddy's_mum

I think that £500 is an outrageous sum to quote for what would appear to be a straightforward will, unless you have dreadful complications in the background. Are you sure they didn't didn't say something like "£50 or so up to £500 for a complicated will" (no offence intended)

I second the comment of misswig and would have a word around.

Please don't make the mistake of drawing up your own will. My grandfather did just that, on his deathbed virtually and scribbled out on a piece of school exercise book. Most of his estate (which was considerable) went to lawyers and barristers to try to sort out the mess and the scars of the interfamily wrangling can still be seen today, forty or so years on.

You may want to go to your local library and find a guide to wills (the Which ones are good) so that you will have had a chance to understand the terminology and ask yourself the right questions before you go to a solicitor.

Good luck and well done you for being a sensible and far sighted protector of your child.

candygirl

Mine was only £90 last year at a solicitors,£500 is way off mark:p

Jet

If you are on a low income you might be entitled to legal aid (or whatever the new name for it is). But the cost should be no more than around £100 if you have to pay for it yourself.

frivolous_fay

A company rang me the other night and offered to come round and write wills for me + b/f for £79 total. I'll dig up the website address if anyone is interested.

Had no idea what the going rate for a will is (I've seen the kits in the post office but not looked at the cost) so I'm interested to see this thread.
It's definitely something we need to do.

mutley74

weird as i was thinking of same situation yesterday. i am a single dad and wonder who will look after my son if i die. does it automatically go to the mother or i can nominate another relative?

margaretclare

What you could do is to go along to your local CAB. The one I used to go to would do a 'simple will' for you and all they asked was a donation in return.

I believe strongly that everybody should have a will - everybody! Young people do die suddenly and unexpectedly, and you should leave your wishes clearly set out.

HTH

Margaret

Minerva69

There is a Which report about making a will, in the Money (Pensions & Retiring) section of their site, if you sign up for a free trial with Which you would be able to read it. It says for a single will solicitors should charge between £70 and £150 as long as it is simple, if you want to set up a trust then it could cost £500.

The report says you have to be careful with will writers who are not solicitors, such as those who visit you at home, and you have to make sure they are members of a recognised trade body such as the Institute of Professional Willwriters or the Society of Will Writers.

It also says you can do it yourself as long as your will is going to be simple, but if any of these circumstances apply you should NOT do your own will:

• Your circumstances are complicated or the way you wish to pass your assets on is very detailed
• Someone who is unable to care for him/herself is financially dependent on you
• You have been married before or have children from a previous marriage
• Your permanent home is not in the UK and/or you are not a British citizen
• You have property overseas
• There is a business involved
• You want to reduce or avoid inheritance tax

Hope this helps. I got a DIY will kit in the sale from Sainsburys (the same one they sell at WH Smiths) and my other half and I are planning to do our own as our wishes are very simple. My sister did her own divorce in this way and saved loads of money on solicitors fees!

pboae

I bank with the co-op and they are doing a customer offer at the moment of £50 for a single will, and a mirror will for free. £500 seems ridiculous.