DIY Wills?

Malthusian

pafpcg wrote: »

Sadly, you can't even trust a qualified solicitor!

Not without better reason to trust them than that, no. But you can trust them more then some random wearing a hat with "Will Riter" written on it and, in the worst case, can seek redress if it goes wrong.

There are good solicitors and bad solicitors just as there are good and bad car mechanics, plumbers and surgeons. It's encouraging that even a layperson like your mother-in-law could recognise a bad job when she saw it, and fixed it before it became a real problem. I'm sure the OP is just as capable of spotting a bad solicitor.

royP_2

I have just been quoted £350+VAT for our two wills, does that sound about right?
Thanks.

Keep_pedalling

royP wrote: »

I have just been quoted £350+VAT for our two wills, does that sound about right?
Thanks.

Depends on the complexity, but I believe that is similar to what ours cost.

Keep_pedalling

pafpcg wrote: »

Sadly, you can't even trust a qualified solicitor!

About twenty years ago, my late mother-in-law approached a local solicitor to draft her will, giving him a written list of how she wanted her estate to be divided-up between her two daughters. He made a right mess of it, getting names wrong, bequests wrong, sprinkling it with legalese and even inserting himself as one of the executors. The ambiguities in his draft would have made the will impossible to execute. Fortunately, she wasn't happy with a document she couldn't fully understand so she showed it to her daughter (my partner) and we typed up the text of her will with all her desired requirements and she signed it with her best friends as witnesses. After she died a few years ago, the will was accepted without comment by the Probate Office and we had no difficulty in dividing-up the estate between the two daughters.

My late father also wrote his own will (using a will pack from Which?). As the executor, my only problem was reading his handwriting!

So, doing-it-yourself is entirely possible for a straightforward estate, but if you feel more comfortable with a professionally-drafted will then do so. But whichever way you decide, it's essential you thoroughly check the draft and challenge everything you feel you don't fully understand. There's a strong argument for having someone else (one of the executors perhaps) also check the will looking for problems.

Sounds an odd way for a professionally drawn up will to be made. I would expect a face to face meeting for the solicitor to get to know what your requirements are and for him / her to make suggestions coving what if situations you had not thought of. This would be followed be the solicitor to draft a will for you to check for any errors or admissions. You would then get the final draft to read through before signing.

Sounds like your mother was equally culpable on that one.

I did a DIY will for my mum, who has no property and just a small amount of cash, but anyone with property, or significant other assets, should not DIY its false ecconomy. If a solicitor makes a mess of a will, they can be held accountable and can be sues to recover losses, there is no such get out with a DIY will.

SamsReturn

I haven't read all this, only just googled it.
It seems to be giving reviews of the top 10 will making software.
http://www.toptenreviews.com/software/home/best-will-software/

Malthusian

SamsReturn wrote: »

I haven't read all this, only just googled it.
It seems to be giving reviews of the top 10 will making software.
http://www.toptenreviews.com/software/home/best-will-software/

They are all based in the US. Anyone in the UK who downloads some US software to try and do their Will on the cheap is asking for trouble. The output will be based on US law and not the UK.

The screenshot of the first one suggests it allows you to choose between three options for your heirs: "equal shares" "unequal shares" or "one pot to be divided as needed". I've no idea what that last option would actually output in terms of the wording of the Will but I bet it will be great fun for your executor to sort out.

If you need a piece of software to tell you how to word the Will then you shouldn't be DIYing it.

Browntoa

Go for a solicitor , if you have assets , dependents etc it's the best way

My in laws had "will writers" do mirror wills a few years ago , nothing complicated , small estate , that will be £1400 please.

And when I checked they had vanished and "Phoenix " companies set up every few years . Looked well dodgy and may have been a nightmare to sort out any problems.

Solicitor ran her eye over them , did 2 codicil to update an item and charged £80 . A new will for both would have been £250

Browntoa

and a new thread about the joys of using will writers and a mistake discovered AFTER death


https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5689570

royP_2

Thanks for all the warnings, I will be instructing a solicitor today.

summetj

Neasy wrote: »

If you can wait until October it's free wills month. Also, the MSE guide is herehttp://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/free-cheap-wills

We used this service for a joint will for myself and the wife. Solicitor suggested a "donation" of £80 (paid £40 for a single will for my mother) which we gladly paid as the will seemed to be prepared in a very professional manner and we also added in a few quirks re. who got what as there was some bloodline that we would never want to get our hard earned.