Can my sons in-laws witness my will?

BootcamperHF

diystarter7 said:

BootcamperHF said:

diystarter7 said:

Hi OP

We know of people completing DIY wills and depending how complex it is, we too have done one and kept it simple. It was a free will online from a very respcted source and we are happy with it. FYI, we oen a property and several rentals, and have three kids all married and two mid/high-end cars, cash, PB's pensions and a bit more -

However, as time gos on we may go for a solicitor will but since leaving work and now just over 60 the free will has done us ok.

I have to add our kids have never asked for a penny and all understand what we want them to have and no bickering.

Do what you are comfy with as free wills sites operate for a reason as do solicitors ones

Good luck.

You cannot say that with any certainty as it will only be known if it meets your wishes when the time comes!

Hi

I never said there was "certainty" what I said was "the free will has done ok" and please read it in the full context of the post - ie "we may for a solicitors as time goes on"

Any will can be challenged and overturned by a just as per recent court cases

Thanks

I still say that you cannot state that "the will has done OK" in whatever context you wish it to be read as it has not be called upon.  It will only be seen to be OK if it is ever needed and only then will it be known.  Up until that point it is simply a piece of paper with written instructions which you hope will meet your intended wishes.  I also question as to how you will decide when the time is right to get a solicitor to draw up a new will?  

I would always advise to get a solicitor to draw up any will.

diystarter7

Keep_pedalling said:

diystarter7 said:

Hi OP

We know of people completing DIY wills and depending how complex it is, we too have done one and kept it simple. It was a free will online from a very respcted source and we are happy with it. FYI, we oen a property and several rentals, and have three kids all married and two mid/high-end cars, cash, PB's pensions and a bit more -

However, as time gos on we may go for a solicitor will but since leaving work and now just over 60 the free will has done us ok.

I have to add our kids have never asked for a penny and all understand what we want them to have and no bickering.

Do what you are comfy with as free wills sites operate for a reason as do solicitors ones

However, this is a read and even if you just skim through it, it may help you decide.

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

Good luck.

I really don’t understand why someone with your level of assets would DIY your wills. You will never know if the will “has done you OK” because errors will not be picked up until you are dead.

Skimping a few hundred on a couple of wills will cost a tiny fraction of your wealth but could cost your benefices many thousands if you get it wrong. The risks may be small but the consequences could be massive.

 

Keep_pedalling said:

diystarter7 said:

Hi OP

We know of people completing DIY wills and depending how complex it is, we too have done one and kept it simple. It was a free will online from a very respcted source and we are happy with it. FYI, we oen a property and several rentals, and have three kids all married and two mid/high-end cars, cash, PB's pensions and a bit more -

However, as time gos on we may go for a solicitor will but since leaving work and now just over 60 the free will has done us ok.

I have to add our kids have never asked for a penny and all understand what we want them to have and no bickering.

Do what you are comfy with as free wills sites operate for a reason as do solicitors ones

However, this is a read and even if you just skim through it, it may help you decide.

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

Good luck.

I really don’t understand why someone with your level of assets would DIY your wills. 

 

Hi

As I'm not prepared to take this thread OT, but are at your liberty to PM me any OT questions?

Many thanks

diystarter7

BootcamperHF said:

diystarter7 said:

BootcamperHF said:

diystarter7 said:

Hi OP

We know of people completing DIY wills and depending how complex it is, we too have done one and kept it simple. It was a free will online from a very respcted source and we are happy with it. FYI, we oen a property and several rentals, and have three kids all married and two mid/high-end cars, cash, PB's pensions and a bit more -

However, as time gos on we may go for a solicitor will but since leaving work and now just over 60 the free will has done us ok.

I have to add our kids have never asked for a penny and all understand what we want them to have and no bickering.

Do what you are comfy with as free wills sites operate for a reason as do solicitors ones

Good luck.

You cannot say that with any certainty as it will only be known if it meets your wishes when the time comes!

Hi

I never said there was "certainty" what I said was "the free will has done ok" and please read it in the full context of the post - ie "we may for a solicitors as time goes on"

Any will can be challenged and overturned by a just as per recent court cases

Thanks

I still say that you cannot state that "the will has done OK" in whatever context you wish it to be read as it has not be called upon.  It will only be seen to be OK if it is ever needed and only then will it be known.  Up until that point it is simply a piece of paper with written instructions which you hope will meet your intended wishes.  I also question as to how you will decide when the time is right to get a solicitor to draw up a new will?  

I would always advise to get a solicitor to draw up any will.

Hi

Clearly, that is your prerogative. We are all different as is the OP and many people don't have a will, never mind a free/paid one.

Your points are noted and as per my previous post it is something we will consider.

I appreciate you trying to help

Thanks

YoungBlueEyes

Me and himself got our wills sorted a few weeks ago. Solicitor went through it and asked some questions, jiggled a couple of things and made a couple of suggestions and added some ‘what ifs’. 

He brought his office ladies in to witness us sign it and sign it themselves. (Same procedure as when he was doing my own will a few years ago.) Took about 30 mins ish iirc and cost £200. 

I never even considered any variety of online nonsense or factory jobbers. A proper job isn’t hard or long or dear. So, frankly, why would I? 

rolysatch

Thanks for all the advice everyone, much appreciated. To be honest she's undergoing chemotherapy and lost her hair so doesn't really want to see anyone at the moment so i was thinking of getting my inlaws to witness it to save any hassle. We were going to use the "Which" online will which apparently is checked over by a solicitor or will writer, so semi DIY? I did a DIY will for my dad and I was executor which all went smoothly but obviously everything was left to my mum so very straight forward. This would be straight forward too with everything split 3 ways between her children. i wouldn't envisage any problems, but i can sort truely independent witnesses as everyone seems to feel the same way in that respect.

diystarter7

rolysatch said:

Thanks for all the advice everyone, much appreciated. To be honest she's undergoing chemotherapy and lost her hair so doesn't really want to see anyone at the moment so i was thinking of getting my inlaws to witness it to save any hassle. We were going to use the "Which" online will which apparently is checked over by a solicitor or will writer, so semi DIY? I did a DIY will for my dad and I was executor which all went smoothly but obviously everything was left to my mum so very straight forward. This would be straight forward too with everything split 3 ways between her children. i wouldn't envisage any problems, but i can sort truely independent witnesses as everyone seems to feel the same way in that respect.

Hi OP

Good luck to tyour mum and her treatment.

Many thanks to come back and update/thanks etc.

Best wishes

rolysatch

diystarter7 said:

rolysatch said:

Thanks for all the advice everyone, much appreciated. To be honest she's undergoing chemotherapy and lost her hair so doesn't really want to see anyone at the moment so i was thinking of getting my inlaws to witness it to save any hassle. We were going to use the "Which" online will which apparently is checked over by a solicitor or will writer, so semi DIY? I did a DIY will for my dad and I was executor which all went smoothly but obviously everything was left to my mum so very straight forward. This would be straight forward too with everything split 3 ways between her children. i wouldn't envisage any problems, but i can sort truely independent witnesses as everyone seems to feel the same way in that respect.

Hi OP

Good luck to tyour mum and her treatment.

Many thanks to come back and update/thanks etc.

Best wishes

no problem and thanks for that!

Savvy_Sue

rolysatch said:

Thanks for all the advice everyone, much appreciated. To be honest she's undergoing chemotherapy and lost her hair so doesn't really want to see anyone at the moment so i was thinking of getting my inlaws to witness it to save any hassle. We were going to use the "Which" online will which apparently is checked over by a solicitor or will writer, so semi DIY? I did a DIY will for my dad and I was executor which all went smoothly but obviously everything was left to my mum so very straight forward. This would be straight forward too with everything split 3 ways between her children. i wouldn't envisage any problems, but i can sort truely independent witnesses as everyone seems to feel the same way in that respect.

You know you have to have BOTH witnesses there at the same time, to witness the testator's signature? and they're confirming they saw her sign it, nothing more. 

Just mentioning this as you can have problems if your witnesses come in one after the other - in that situation only one person can see her sign it. 

EssexHebridean

BootcamperHF said:

diystarter7 said:

BootcamperHF said:

diystarter7 said:

Hi OP

We know of people completing DIY wills and depending how complex it is, we too have done one and kept it simple. It was a free will online from a very respcted source and we are happy with it. FYI, we oen a property and several rentals, and have three kids all married and two mid/high-end cars, cash, PB's pensions and a bit more -

However, as time gos on we may go for a solicitor will but since leaving work and now just over 60 the free will has done us ok.

I have to add our kids have never asked for a penny and all understand what we want them to have and no bickering.

Do what you are comfy with as free wills sites operate for a reason as do solicitors ones

Good luck.

You cannot say that with any certainty as it will only be known if it meets your wishes when the time comes!

Hi

I never said there was "certainty" what I said was "the free will has done ok" and please read it in the full context of the post - ie "we may for a solicitors as time goes on"

Any will can be challenged and overturned by a just as per recent court cases

Thanks

I still say that you cannot state that "the will has done OK" in whatever context you wish it to be read as it has not be called upon.  It will only be seen to be OK if it is ever needed and only then will it be known.  Up until that point it is simply a piece of paper with written instructions which you hope will meet your intended wishes.  I also question as to how you will decide when the time is right to get a solicitor to draw up a new will?  

I would always advise to get a solicitor to draw up any will.

The accurate statement right now would be "the free will has done precisely nothing" - and that continues to be the case until the point of death - and THEN it is the loved ones get to find out whether it's "OK" or a traumatic, expensive to resolve nightmare. 

rolysatch said:

Thanks for all the advice everyone, much appreciated. To be honest she's undergoing chemotherapy and lost her hair so doesn't really want to see anyone at the moment so i was thinking of getting my inlaws to witness it to save any hassle. We were going to use the "Which" online will which apparently is checked over by a solicitor or will writer, so semi DIY? I did a DIY will for my dad and I was executor which all went smoothly but obviously everything was left to my mum so very straight forward. This would be straight forward too with everything split 3 ways between her children. i wouldn't envisage any problems, but i can sort truely independent witnesses as everyone seems to feel the same way in that respect.

That's a sad situation - I wish her well. Unfortunately if she wants to make a will she will need to see people. The two witnesses to a will should be adults, it is usually recommended that they are not family, and they are witnessing that they have seen her, and each other, sign the document. 

Bolt1234

With reasonable assets why on earth would anyone go down the DIY route?  I believe there is a Will Writing Month where wills are free or some charities will do them in return for a small donation.

you might think you know what you are doing but you aren’t the expert.