DIY Will

stellar

I used one of DIY will sites listed on MSE to update my will and wondered if anybody else had used it, wait for it... Your Will be Done! Terrible name isn't it, anyway that's the one I went for because they had an option to have it checked by a professional for £25.

I tried to contact them a few days ago, via their website, and have not had a reply, I asked if they belonged to the Institute of Professional Will Writers or if they were CCAS approved. I also wanted to know if they would let me know when the will had been checked so that I could go ahead and get it signed. As I have heard nothing I am wondering if my £25 for checking was a complete waste of money.

Anybody had a similar experience?

SailorSam

If it was a DIY will, why did you need to pay ?
A better idea would have been getting a free will done by a proper Solicitor when they give their services to charities.
All they ask is a contribution to the charity. I think £50 would be acceptable and at least you know it's right.

stellar

SailorSam wrote: »

If it was a DIY will, why did you need to pay ?
A better idea would have been getting a free will done by a proper Solicitor when they give their services to charities.
All they ask is a contribution to the charity. I think £50 would be acceptable and at least you know it's right.

Yes I read about that after I had done the online one, rushed into it!

Mojisola

stellar wrote: »

I tried to contact them a few days ago, via their website, and have not had a reply

Their 'offers' page is still showing Easter offers - not a good sign.

stellar

Mojisola wrote: »

Their 'offers' page is still showing Easter offers - not a good sign.

I thought with the link being on this website and having a MSE discount it would be okay. I have downloaded the will, so that's okay, it's just whether or not it will be checked?

Thank you for your input.

stellar

I was worrying unnecessarily, I received a reply from Your Will be Done today with a report attached.

But now I know that some solicitors actually offer a free service in March and October I shall probably take advantage of that to be on the safe side!

Keep_pedalling

stellar wrote: »

I was worrying unnecessarily, I received a reply from Your Will be Done today with a report attached.

But now I know that some solicitors actually offer a free service in March and October I shall probably take advantage of that to be on the safe side!

The solicitor does it for free, but you are expected to donate to Will Aid (£95 for a single and £150 for basic mirror wills is the suggested donation). Don't let that put you off, spending a few quid on a properly drawn up will is well worth it as it is one of the most important documents you will complete in your lifetime, and getting it wrong can have very serious consequences for those you leave behind.

http://www.willaid.org.uk

While you are in get my affairs in order mode have a look at getting lasting powers of attorney in place, if you have not already done so.

LeadFarmer

My elderly mother has written up one of those DIY wills from somewhere like WH Smiths. Her estate is probably around £400,000. Despite me trying to persuade her to pay a solicitor to draft a proper will, she refuses. I can't understand why she refuses to pay a couple of hundred quid for the sake of her estate.

Mojisola

LeadFarmer wrote: »

My elderly mother has written up one of those DIY wills from somewhere like WH Smiths. Her estate is probably around £400,000. Despite me trying to persuade her to pay a solicitor to draft a proper will, she refuses. I can't understand why she refuses to pay a couple of hundred quid for the sake of her estate.

Will the estate have to pay inheritance tax?

Could you convince that it would be much cheaper to pay a solicitor for a will?

Would she let you pay for it?

LeadFarmer

Mojisola wrote: »

Will the estate have to pay inheritance tax?

Could you convince that it would be much cheaper to pay a solicitor for a will?

Would she let you pay for it?

Ive offered to pay for it, but she refused. My father died a few years ago and their estate passed to her. She has put some money in trust for grandchildren but I'm frustrated that she thinks a DIY will is perfectly OK. Why take the chance?

Mojisola

LeadFarmer wrote: »

Ive offered to pay for it, but she refused. My father died a few years ago and their estate passed to her. She has put some money in trust for grandchildren but I'm frustrated that she thinks a DIY will is perfectly OK. Why take the chance?

I agree.

Has she shown you the will? Could you check that basic stuff like the witness signatures are right?

Have you shown her the intestate rules - if her will is declared invalid, her estate will have to be distributed according to those.

If her wishes are different to the rules, that may change her mind.