Writing a will, advice please?

Aura

Hi I would like to write a will, the only thing is that I have Asperger's and it would have to be explained simply to me.  I have chosen one solicitors (Trafowen's) as my great gran and grandad did theirs there, I have asked and they say it will be £420.  Can anyone advise me as my family aren't taking me seriously and think I'm playing about which annoys me to no end.

I may be autistic, but I'm not stupid.  

elsien

See if any of these have places available. The one I’m booked with is doing it by zoom so proximity isn’t necessarily an issue. 

https://www.willaid.org.uk/

Or these if you’re over 55.

https://freewillsmonth.org.uk/ 

Also this guide.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/free-cheap-wills/

What level of assets do you have? 

Aura

What level of assets do you have? 

How do you mean please?

elsien

What have you got to leave - how much is it worth?

Someone with no dependants (children) and not much in the way of savings who just wants to explain where any money/belongings left after paying for the funeral should go could probably DIY it using one of the templates in the third link.

Anyone who has got a house and family, savings/shares/insurance policies and various beneficiaries to split it between would be a bit silly to write their own and would be better using a solicitor.  Otherwise that’s when what people write and what they mean can vary and disputes arise. 

That’s why I was asking. 

elsien

Also to add, did you know about the intestacy rules?

These mean that if you die without making a will, there is a law that decides who your money and belongings go to.

If you are a single person with no children and your parents are still alive then your money and belongings will go to them.
If they died before you, then it would be split between brothers and sisters instead, if you have any.
If you don’t have brothers or sisters, then the order is grandparents, and if they are dead, any aunts or uncles. 
If you are happy with that then you don’t need to make a will. 

Marcon

Aura said:

Hi I would like to write a will, the only thing is that I have Asperger's and it would have to be explained simply to me.  I have chosen one solicitors (Trafowen's) as my great gran and grandad did theirs there, I have asked and they say it will be £420.  Can anyone advise me as my family aren't taking me seriously and think I'm playing about which annoys me to no end.

I may be autistic, but I'm not stupid.  

You aren't stupid - you are sensible enough to realise you need a will and that you need to use solicitors to draft it. The ones you have chosen should be able to explain it in simple terms - but do tell them you have Asperger's to ensure they understand your needs.

cymruchris

That does sound a little expensive if it's a fairly straightforward will - but depends on how much work you want doing. If it's 'I leave everything to my friend John' - and that's it - it shouldn't be too much, but if it's a complicated affair containing lots of property, shares, savings, cars, photography equipment and you want things to be split between 39 different people, then it might be more expensive to prepare. I recently paid my local solicitor £150 to draw up my will leaving whatever I have left when I'm gone to be split between 5 people - and if any of the 5 people pre-decease me - that share will go to a named charity.

It also depends where in the country you are. If you happen to be in Kensington or Chelsea - it may be that £400 plus is the going rate for a will. There's nothing to stop you asking 2-3 other local solicitors the fee for drawing up a will, outlining the fact that you have Asperger's and need to be able to digest what's being said and make the appropriate decision.

MovingForwards

https://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/donate/questions-about-writing-a-will

https://www.freewills.co.uk/free-wills-month/national-autistic-society

If in doubt always have a look to see what information is offered by a society for your health condition. They understand and their pages are written in language for you to understand. 

Aura

Hi thanks for your replies'.  I have a son who is 17 years old but he lives with someone else because he was adopted because social services couldn't see beyond my autism.  I love my son very much and i have some money put a side for him which I don't want my greedy cousins to get hold off, plus I have other wishes etc. 

I'm worried that because he was forcefully adopted, that any money I want him to have may be denied him. 

Thanks for the autism links by the way . 

Keep_pedalling

Aura said:

Hi thanks for your replies'.  I have a son who is 17 years old but he lives with someone else because he was adopted because social services couldn't see beyond my autism.  I love my son very much and i have some money put a side for him which I don't want my greedy cousins to get hold off, plus I have other wishes etc. 

I'm worried that because he was forcefully adopted, that any money I want him to have may be denied him. 

Thanks for the autism links by the way . 

As your son has been adopted it is important that you make a will as he will not inherit from you under the intestacy rules. 

Have you thought about suitable executors? Your son would be a possibility once he is 18 but you can’t appoint him until he reaches that age. 

TBagpuss

As Keep Peddling says, your son won't inherit automatically but  you can still leave money to him - it's simpler if you know his current name but all that is needed is that it's clear who you mean.

If you don't want your cousins to be involved pick some one (or two people) to act as executors, whom you trust, they can be family or friends, or your solicitor. It's generally sensible to ask people who are younger than you and to check with them that they are happy to act, and it is common (but not compulsory) to leave something to them to recognise the work that they will do to administer the estate. If you appoint a solicitor then they will charge your estate for the work, but it can be a good idea if your affairs are complex or if you think that family members are not trustworthy or are likely to content the will.