Making a will online?

Jeff_E

Hi,

I was considering getting my own will made, and as I'm in a Covid at risk group, I was considering doing the process online, instead of going into a solicitors. Can you do the whole process online, or do you need real life witnesses for the final signing?

Would anyone recommend any good online services to do this?

Also, as a general question with wills, I was wanting to leave a sum to good causes. To leave to a good cause, does the good cause have to be a registered charity? What happens if the good cause changes it's name or disappears after you've left the will? Should you maybe leave a "backup" charity for the funds to go to instead?

Thanks.

SeniorSam

The gift need not be to a 'registered charity' as it can be anyone at all, but should the 'good cause' not exist at the time of your death, then your executors could be given authority to gift elsewhere, or you could have a few back-ups listed in default.

I believe that there are some Will writing companies that can arrange Wills online, but depending on the complexity of your estate, if you have a partner, spouse, children etc, some Wills are best done through solicitors.  There are many ways to construct a simple Will, from hand written, buying a draft from W.H Smiths or various Will Writers, who's expertise may be limited particularly if any Trusts are required, so do be careful.

This forum is designed to give guidance, but that can only be given where full details of a situation are available, which is not this case so far. If we knew more about your situation, then you may receive more guidance from members

Marcon

Jeff_E said:

Hi,

I was considering getting my own will made, and as I'm in a Covid at risk group, I was considering doing the process online, instead of going into a solicitors. Can you do the whole process online, or do you need real life witnesses for the final signing?

Would anyone recommend any good online services to do this?

Also, as a general question with wills, I was wanting to leave a sum to good causes. To leave to a good cause, does the good cause have to be a registered charity? What happens if the good cause changes it's name or disappears after you've left the will? Should you maybe leave a "backup" charity for the funds to go to instead?

Thanks.

You don't need to 'go into' a solicitor's office. You can deal entirely by telephone, e-mail and/or online Teams or Zoom meetings. Much the safest route, in all sense of the word.

TBagpuss

I would recommend that you contact local solicitors. They have been dealing with drawing up wills throughout the pandemic and will be able advise you about what options are available.

Most will be able to take your instructions remotely and they will most likely be able to advise about how you ca execute the will in a way that feels safe to you.

As examples, I know that my solicitors have done wills where they have made home visits and the will has been executed in the garden, with everyone masked, where the person making the will was inside their home with a window partially open and the solicitor and second witness outside, in the car park at the office etc.

There are provisions allowing a will to be signed and witnessed via a video link but obviously the solicitors have to (or should!) be taking steps to ensure that there is no risk of any coercion or undue influence, and that you aren't under any pressure to sign.

In addition, although masks are no longer compulsory, I think that you would find that most solicitors would be happy to arrange a socially distanced, and fully masked, meeting to enable you to sign your will.

In terms of gifts to good causes, you can leave gifts to whomever you want; if the good cause is not a charity then this may have an impact on things such as inheritance tax.

I don't think that an organisation changing its name would be an issue - the issue is usually whether it can be identified - however, your solicitor will be able to advise - they may need to word the will to expressly state that the gift is to any successor organisation,  and it would probably also be possible to give your executors a degree of discretion - for example naming the organisation and giving them the discretion to donate to another organisation or organisations with similar aims.