Still deciding what to do will wise

Hercules_Grytpype-Thynne

Further to my enquiry re DIY wills/cost on another thread and the unanimous opinion that they are not worth the problems that can arise – I enquired at my original solicitor from the 1980s who held the old wills as to current cost as £200 didn’t seem too bad as suggested by one poster's reply…………………………HOWEVER, my enquiry to them:-
“Cost will be interesting as the two wills were £57.50 in 1989 – with inflation that would be about £130/140 today.”
Was met with this:-
“However, I am sorry but the intervening years have not been kind to our costs. Our current charges for straightforward mirror Wills are £295 plus VAT (=£354 for the pair).”
I like the “intervening years have not been kind to our costs”, as though they have their own inflation to deal with that only affects them, and I have since had another quote from a local solicitor of £350 + VAT !!
I wish I could find a £200 will provider (the Coop will do it for £195 by post – any good?) and so understand why people go to will writers or do it themselves.

Keep_pedalling

You could wait till will aid this November

http://www.willaid.org.uk/will-makers

Just try not to die in the meantime!

jackyann

I don't think that I replied to your original post. I don't want to muddy the waters, but my opinion is slightly different.

I have no criticism of those who point out the problems of DIY wills. However, having been involved in the execution of 2 wills, I am not as against DIY as some.

This is of course, only personal experience. I have done DIY wills at simple stages of my life, and solicitor ones when more complexity was needed.

If you really feel it is straightforward, you have discussed it carefully, I see no reason not to DIY. Review your will every time your situation, or that of your immediate family or beneficiaries changes. I also do an annual review.

It is also worth remembering that your solicitor may charge less for a simple will that you have already got straight in your mind, with details already written out.

This is intended to help, not hinder, so feel free to ignore a very personal opinion!

Mojisola

In good MSE fashion, shop around and get a few more quotes.

If you can get a personal recommendation, even better.

Yorkshireman99

The suggested charge is outrageous! Shop around.

paddy's_mum

Hercules_Grytpype-Thynne wrote: »

with inflation

With respect, inflation is not the only thing that affects current costs.

How about massively increased business rates, much higher salaries, more expensive office lease or rental prices ... none of which are generally counted in the official "inflation rate".

FreeBear

The closer one is to London, the higher the price.

In these parts (rural, 150 miles from London), a basic will for a single person is between £120 to £200 +VAT. The bigger & more established firms charging the top end.

If you are a union member, they might have a low cost service to offer - It would probably be similar to the Co-Op one.

Hercules_Grytpype-Thynne

Keep_pedalling wrote: »

You could wait till will aid this November

http://www.willaid.org.uk/will-makers

Just try not to die in the meantime!

Thank you, very interesting..............let me just check........ummm still a regular beat, so can probably procrastinate a bit longer.

Hercules_Grytpype-Thynne

jackyann wrote: »

I don't think that I replied to your original post. I don't want to muddy the waters, but my opinion is slightly different.

I have no criticism of those who point out the problems of DIY wills. However, having been involved in the execution of 2 wills, I am not as against DIY as some.

This is of course, only personal experience. I have done DIY wills at simple stages of my life, and solicitor ones when more complexity was needed.

If you really feel it is straightforward, you have discussed it carefully, I see no reason not to DIY. Review your will every time your situation, or that of your immediate family or beneficiaries changes. I also do an annual review.

It is also worth remembering that your solicitor may charge less for a simple will that you have already got straight in your mind, with details already written out.

This is intended to help, not hinder, so feel free to ignore a very personal opinion!

Thank you for your very welcome if late input re DIY wills, and now you have set me thinking again as in my situation and in my eyes my will requirements couldn't be simpler with just me and my wife and two of our own children - entire estate goes to surviving spouse and then 50-50 to the children............the only thing I am not sure about is what happens if one of our children (God forbid) dies before say surviving spouse - I suppose it could all be rewritten.

Hercules_Grytpype-Thynne

Mojisola wrote: »

In good MSE fashion, shop around and get a few more quotes.

If you can get a personal recommendation, even better.

Most of the solicitors around here are long established large offices and appear to be much of a muchness - in fact the more I enquire the larger the quotes seem to get!!

Hercules_Grytpype-Thynne

Yorkshireman99 wrote: »

The suggested charge is outrageous! Shop around.

That's what I thought.