Will-writing via Unison

garfield33

Hello MSE-ers.
We've recently used the will writing service through Unison (BBH Legal), as our circumstances are fairly straightforward. We've filled in all the info, submitted it and downloaded the PDFs of the draft wills for information. Does anyone know how long it takes from this point? I realise a lot of things are slower at the moment, and it's not urgent - just curious.
Thanks
G33

Savvy_Sue

You do need to check the draft wills VERY carefully - if they are mirror wills, a common mistake is for not all the changes to be made, so you might find he and she the wrong way round, or the wrong name. 

If there are any changes to be made, insist on having another draft. 

After that, I'd say it's likely to depend on how the signing and witnessing is happening. I've only ever done a F2F will, where a meeting was arranged specifically for this purpose. How is it being done in this case?

garfield33

Thanks Savvy_Sue, that's good advice, I will check the drafts while I'm waiting so we're ready to ask for any changes.
I'm not sure about the signing/witnessing, I think some rules have been relaxed but I haven't read into it properly yet, I was waiting to hear back from the company.

garfield33

Hello MSE-ers
I've still not heard anything from the company (BBH Legal), and have sent a message via a form on their website a couple of weeks ago but not had an answer yet.
Has anyone used this scheme before, do you know how long it took?
I imagine they're quite busy at the moment but would just like an idea.
Thanks
G33

Alan_Bowen

The online reviews suggest they can be slow, and the Law Society says there is only one person dealing with wills.....They are part of Thompsons solicitors who have hoovered up a lot of union work so they would have a lot to lose if they didn't give good service. I would assume since they only have one office on the Wirral that once you have approved the wills they will prepare them and send them to you to organise signing?

Hudsonbutler

Not on topic but would like to say, it's nice to hear some positives about a union helping. I'm not a lefty or righty, but have found some very useful information and advice from them. They have helped us in the past on a legal case.
Last time I mentioned them on another forum, I got steam rolled by a well known mse'r.

garfield33

Thanks Alan_Bowen, that's interesting to hear. I imagine that one person is a bit swamped at the moment.

Hi Hudsonbutler - yes I was quite chuffed when I found this too!

MovingForwards

I looked into it and saw they would charge for redoing my basic will. I could pay the same price, or less, and use a firm of my own choosing instead of via the union.