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Creating a will - solicitor or Will Writing Service

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We are in the process of buying a house and were advised to write a will. In all honesty this is not something which we had really thought about until recently. We are still young, and really hadnt thought about this just yet. 

Our mortgage advisor recommended us someone who we met this evening. He is a member of a will writing organisation, and he talked us through how it worked, and what we would like to do. He seemed quite nice, answered all our questions and made notes for a draft which he will send us to sign. He seemed a little old fashioned in some of his approaches, including providing handwritten payment details on a small square of paper. This particular thing knocked me a bit, as it seems very old fashioned, and not particularly professional.  We have checked his details, and he is affiliated to a recognised will making organisation. 

Are Will Writing services a good idea, or is it better to pay slightly more and go through a solicitor? There are a real mix of articles about this which don't really help us decide whether we should proceed with this man, or pay more and go through a lawyer. Advice and first hand experience would be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks in advance.




Comments

  • Marcon
    Marcon Posts: 14,278 Forumite
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    edited 23 May 2022 at 10:30PM
    Shfpower said:
    He seemed a little old fashioned in some of his approaches, including providing handwritten payment details on a small square of paper. This particular thing knocked me a bit, as it seems very old fashioned, and not particularly professional.  




    As you say, not exactly professional.... What exactly are his qualifications and experience that would make him a better bet than a solicitor? What advice has he given in respect of the property your partner owns overseas - does your partner need to make a second will in respect of that (depends where it is located)?
    Googling on your question might have been both quicker and easier, if you're only after simple facts rather than opinions!  
  • Ms_Chocaholic
    Ms_Chocaholic Posts: 12,711 Forumite
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    A solicitor all the way.
    Thrifty Till 50 Then Spend Till the End
    You can please some of the people some of the time, all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time but you can never please all of the people all of the time
  • Solicitor, without a doubt.
  • MalMonroe
    MalMonroe Posts: 5,783 Forumite
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    Hi, here's another vote for a solicitor. 

    The Will Writing person will be paying a commission to the mortgage advisor, of course - if you decide to accept his services.

    It's a good idea to have a will, whatever age you are. (Although when I was young I never gave it a second thought either.)
    Please note - taken from the Forum Rules and amended for my own personal use (with thanks) : It is up to you to investigate, check, double-check and check yet again before you make any decisions or take any action based on any information you glean from any of my posts. Although I do carry out careful research before posting and never intend to mislead or supply out-of-date or incorrect information, please do not rely 100% on what you are reading. Verify everything in order to protect yourself as you are responsible for any action you consequently take.
  • Savvy_Sue
    Savvy_Sue Posts: 47,283 Forumite
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    Another vote for a solicitor
    Signature removed for peace of mind
  • poppystar
    poppystar Posts: 1,629 Forumite
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    edited 24 May 2022 at 7:18AM
    Check also if there is a fee for storing the Will. Solicitors will store for free.

    Have you actually had quotes from a solicitor to compare? Solicitors are not always more costly.
  • TBagpuss
    TBagpuss Posts: 11,236 Forumite
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    Use a solicitor. They are far more tightly regulated which protects you or your beneficiaries if anything were to go wrong, and in the event that they solicitors firm ceases to exisit then the SRA will still retian records.
    As others have said, if they were recommended by the mortgage advisor then it's likely that there is a comission involved.
    You also need to be a bit wary as often they will quote lower costs but then charge you for add ons, or charge to store the will. Most solicitors will store the will for free if you want them to.
    Pick an independent, local solicitor and do it that way. 
    All posts are my personal opinion, not formal advice Always get proper, professional advice (particularly about anything legal!)
  • SeniorSam
    SeniorSam Posts: 1,673 Forumite
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    I suggest that you do NOT allow the Will writer to store your Will. AS a self employed person, if he became ill or died and you did not know about it, your Will could be lost. Far better to keep the original and copy yourself and save the original either in the bank or with a family member who is younger.

    There are many Will writers and some do know what they are doing, but others are rather poor and do not necessarily know how best to advise someone who wishes to safeguard their wealth for the family as they are not trained in Trusts and the finer points of Wills that a STEP solicitor is.  If you complete with a Will writer, you will not have the assurance of a qualified firms backup if something goes wrong. Do think about it. Mortgage advisers should not be recommending Will writers, but perhaps, as others have mentioned, he is on some sort of commission, which may make the Will writer look rather 'iffy'.
    I'm a retired IFA who specialised for many years in Inheritance Tax, Wills and Trusts. I cannot offer advice now, but my comments here and on Legal Beagles as Sam101 are just meant to be helpful. Do ask questions from the Members who are here to help.
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