Updating will - using online service?

bitsandpieces

I need to update my will. I think it's pretty simple - I'd like to leave money to two people, and a charity. My union gives me free use of the online service here https://yourlegaldocuments.secureclient.co.uk/sandg/ Obviously, the price is right, but I don't want to leave any problems if I do kick the bucket soon enough for the will to be needed

Would using an online service like this be sensible for me? Or would I be better to pay a solicitor?

Hope this is the right forum for this - mods, please move if not. Also, I've no plans on dying any time soon - just tying up my life admin...

Rubik

All you would be doing with a service like this is completing a template. You would be better getting a solicitor to write one up for you so that reflects exactly what you want, and can ask any questions you may ahve at the same time. |You can also be advised if any of your bequests may cause any potential issues, and get advice on how to best to avoid paying any more IHT than is absolutely necessary. Most Wills solicitors will have a fixed fee will service that won't cost the earth.

bitsandpieces

Thanks for the reply (and sorry to be slow responding - IT problems...) I should have said, I'll be more than £100k below the IHT threshold, so that's not an issue.

When you say that my bequests might cause potential issues, do you mean with things like benefits? One recipient might lose a small amount of benefits if I die in the next year or two, but I don't think this would be enough to be worth setting up a trust.

I'd still be better seeing a solicitor, though?

Rubik

bitsandpieces wrote: »

Thanks for the reply (and sorry to be slow responding - IT problems...) I should have said, I'll be more than £100k below the IHT threshold, so that's not an issue.

When you say that my bequests might cause potential issues, do you mean with things like benefits? One recipient might lose a small amount of benefits if I die in the next year or two, but I don't think this would be enough to be worth setting up a trust.

I'd still be better seeing a solicitor, though?

I would say yes, you would be - some solicitors provide wills for around £40 so you gain the benefit of their legal advice as well as a properly written will.

bitsandpieces

Rubik wrote: »

I would say yes, you would be - some solicitors provide wills for around £40 so you gain the benefit of their legal advice as well as a properly written will.

Thanks - any examples in Scotland (or who'll work remotely) come to mind? Prices I've seen have been way higher! If I could get one done by a solicitor for £50 that'd be a no-brainer...

sheramber

Do a Google search for "free wills".

Solicitors don't charge a fee but you make a donation to charity.

There is also Will Aid

Savvy_Sue

If you are in Scotland, I do hope that the template you were thinking of using took this into account - you do things differently up there!!!

Which is another reason to definitely use a solicitor.

bitsandpieces

Thanks. MSE's page on this mentions Rocket Lawyer and Gloss Legal - worth trying one of these online services, or better finding a local sol?

For some reason, there haven't been Will Aid solicitors with appointments available near me, and I'm too young for one of the charity-funded will writing services to be an option...

bitsandpieces

Quick bump - any feedback on Rocket Lawyer or Gloss Legal?

pearl123

Wills are too important. Don't use an online service.

newatc

For decades I have relied on a template as my situation was very simple and I had no concern.

It is now a little more complicates so used a charity (I support but not leaving anything to charities in my will) arrangement with local solicitor to draw up a new will and in return I donated £125 to the charity which I regarded as win-win situation.

So basically I would suggest going for the free one for the time being (far better than no will) but be prepared to use solicitor (trying to use the type of promotion I referred to) when your situation gets more complicated.