Using copy of your will to make another

Yorkshireman99

loulou41 wrote: »

It is up to you to decide. I agree with Tom99. My daughter had her will drafted by a solicitor and were not impressed. I do not see the point of getting a step solicitor for a very basic will. My understanding is that you can write your own will on a piece of paper as long as you observe the rules of witnessing, signing etc. and it will be still valid. I am only referring to very basic wills.

A STEP solicitor is not needed for a simple will but as Ha been said repeatedly DIY will are false economy. The gave been numerous examples of the risks involved Choose a solicitor by personal recommendation.

DigForVictory

I can see the temptation of re-using the previous one, but Wills can be got wrong, with the best intentions & the original solicitor should be able to update it for a fraction of the usual cost. (Indeed any competent solicitor should be but may feel they have to revisit certain questions.)

The planned revision can be discussed at the same time, so your intentions are known & possibly outlined in this version. Better to have this last insurance document as robust as possible, than plan to revisit it but then perhaps be prevented by circumstances.

Mojisola

Boleyn19 wrote: »

Further to my OP. The original will was written by a solicitor. I know I did not leave it with her.
The provisions are the same. The executor/beneficiary would still be my husband, the original witnesses are neighbours. I know who can and cannot witness and how/when they do this. I am looking at a stop gap before we redraft when younger son becomes 18.

Don't you have a back-up executor/s?

Yorkshireman99

DigForVictory wrote: »

I can see the temptation of re-using the previous one, but Wills can be got wrong, with the best intentions & the original solicitor should be able to update it for a fraction of the usual cost. (Indeed any competent solicitor should be but may feel they have to revisit certain questions.)

The planned revision can be discussed at the same time, so your intentions are known & possibly outlined in this version. Better to have this last insurance document as robust as possible, than plan to revisit it but then perhaps be prevented by circumstances.

Absolutely spot on! Very sound advice indeed.

Boleyn19

Mojisola wrote: »

Don't you have a back-up executor/s?

Yes, my sons (one is over 18 and the other when he is 18) and if my husband should die first then his elder son and my brother are added.

newatc

My mother's will was made using an Age UK template. It was very simple leaving her assets to her children equally but when I found it , after her death, I thought this may cause a problem as one of the children's names was written in different ink (looked as the poor girl may have forgotten initially) and there seemed something wrong with the witness (can't remember the detail) but there was no problem in it being accepted.
I suppose common sense prevailed as intestacy would have led to the same beneficiaries.

Anyway I think the OP will now best according to their personal circumstances. While I respect the views of those who think a solicitor should be used, I think copying a solicitor drawn up will is a viable option.