Writing own will?

Legacy_user

Sorry if this is the wrong place for this but I couldn't find a sub-forum for wills.

My wife and I need to write wills. Very very simple. She gets everything, I get everything, kids go to Aunt and Uncle.

Very very basic stuff. I really begrudge paying a lawyer for what must be a template will. Can we write these ourselves? And if so where do we store them / send them to make it "official".

bugslett

On the Marriage and family/relationships board, there is a sub board for deaths, probate etc. Planning for comes under there.


It is a bit tucked away though and easily overlooked!

zagfles

You can buy template wills with instructions for simple wills in a lot of bookshops eg WH Smiths, you can probably download them as well.

Spreadsheetman

I think co-op legal services do an on-line, but lawyer reviewed, will writing service. There was a MSE special offer for this last year - it was £99.


That looked very good value to me to get it looked over by someone that knew what they were doing.

westv

Where there's a will there's a way.

Mojisola

beany_bot wrote: »

Sorry if this is the wrong place for this but I couldn't find a sub-forum for wills.

My wife and I need to write wills. Very very simple. She gets everything, I get everything, kids go to Aunt and Uncle.

Very very basic stuff. I really begrudge paying a lawyer for what must be a template will. Can we write these ourselves? And if so where do we store them / send them to make it "official".

A solicitor will talk through a lot of what-ifs that you might not think of, eg if you and your wife die at the same time, who will be the executors; if you both die while the children are minors, do you want their guardians to be able to use some of your estate while they are growing up or will the cost fall entirely on them.

A will can be invalidated if the witnessing isn't done properly.

Info about storing wills with the Probate Office here -
https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/storing-your-will-where-others-can-find-it

GDB2222

You can of course write your own will then get two people to witness your signature. It can just say

This is the will of xx of address, dated xxx. All previous wills are revoked. I leave everything I own to my wife Mavis provided she survives me by 28 days. If she does not.... this is where it gets complicated as you need a trust for the kids.

Download the correct attestation and witness section.

However, why not take advantage of free wills month and have your wills professionally written in return for a small donation to charity?

zagfles

Just make sure any solicitor offering free/cheap will writing doesn't make themselves the executor. Never make a solicitor the executor, as that could cost far more than paying for a will. They have the monopoly, they could be slow/unreliable/expensive and you can't get rid of them. Make the primary beneficiary(s) the executors, or a trusted relative/friend. They can then shop around for legal advice if they need it, and get rid of any socilitor dragging their heels etc...

Keep_pedalling

False economy get them done properly. There are almost certainly some what if scenarios you have not considered that a solisitor will bring to your attention, and it is important you cover guardianship of any minors properly.

You should also consider lasting powers of attorney while you are at it, but those you can DIY without too much difficulty.

Robin9

beany_bot wrote: »

..................... Very very simple. She gets everything, I get everything, kids go to Aunt and Uncle. ....................

As Mojisola says it's not that simple.

How old are the children - infants then perhaps Aunt and Uncle ; teenagers then you may need different arrangements.

Revise them regularly.

Give copies to your executors and your children - make sure they get revised copies.

AnotherJoe

This is like doing your own heart surgery.

A bad idea, though perhaps as consolation you wont be able to regret it even if the kids do.