Creating a will - solicitor or Will Writing Service 23 May 2022 at 10:12PM in Deaths, funerals & probate 8 replies 262 views

Shfpower

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.

Marcon

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)?

Ms_Chocaholic

A solicitor all the way.

DancingBadger

Solicitor, without a doubt.

MalMonroe

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.)

Savvy_Sue

Another vote for a solicitor

poppystar

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

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. 

SeniorSam

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'.