Fully/mostly online free will writing service?

88Parrot88

I'm trying to sort out my will. It should be pretty straightforward - house in my name only, no dependants, modest savings, etc., which is why I don't want to spend a lot of money on my will. I'd be happy to use a charity service and leave some of my savings to them. However, the ones I've looked at so far all insist on a "personal touch", with mandatory phone calls and even personal visits, which I really don't want to do. Are there any that do them fully or at least mostly online? Or would a DIY will work better in this case? 

Keep_pedalling

You are not going to get a recommendation to DIY a will on this board, please do it properly with a local solicitor, who will go through what you are trying to achieve and point out any what if situations you have failed to think about.

A will is one of the most important documents you make, and saving a few quid by DIYing it could cost your beneficies a small ( or even a large) fortune if you get it wrong.

88Parrot88

Keep_pedalling said:

You are not going to get a recommendation to DIY a will on this board, please do it properly with a local solicitor, who will go through what you are trying to achieve and point out any what if situations you have failed to think about.

A will is one of the most important documents you make, and saving a few quid by DIYing it could cost your beneficies a small ( or even a large) fortune if you get it wrong.

Thanks, do you know of any that do it (mostly) online? 

Savvy_Sue

I have a solicitor friend who said his firm had started, during lockdown, doing things remotely which they would not have considered possible previously.

However, you aren't going to be able to do this through an exchange of emails.

Before doing ANYTHING for a new client, a solicitor needs to carry out ID checks. They need to see you, and your ID. They might Zoom this, but they're unlikely to do it by email.

To you, it's all simple and straightforward. You may have already thought about all the What If questions. But they don't know that, and establishing that you have understood what's being asked isn't easily done via email.

I'm not sure what your objection is to the personal approach. When we did ours, we were sent a questionnaire,  we went to a face to face appointment where we went through the answers, we received a draft, we made corrections and then made an appointment to go in and sign. That last appointment really is the simplest way for everyone to be sure the will is validly signed and witnessed. 

88Parrot88

Savvy_Sue said:

I have a solicitor friend who said his firm had started, during lockdown, doing things remotely which they would not have considered possible previously.

However, you aren't going to be able to do this through an exchange of emails.

Before doing ANYTHING for a new client, a solicitor needs to carry out ID checks. They need to see you, and your ID. They might Zoom this, but they're unlikely to do it by email.

To you, it's all simple and straightforward. You may have already thought about all the What If questions. But they don't know that, and establishing that you have understood what's being asked isn't easily done via email.

I'm not sure what your objection is to the personal approach. When we did ours, we were sent a questionnaire,  we went to a face to face appointment where we went through the answers, we received a draft, we made corrections and then made an appointment to go in and sign. That last appointment really is the simplest way for everyone to be sure the will is validly signed and witnessed. 

Thanks. I’d rather spend my hard-earned annual leave doing something fun, rather than be stuck in a waiting room for a process that could easily be done online during my lunch hour… just finding this process a little antiquated, especially as there are plenty of ways to validate IDs online these days…

Savvy_Sue

Find a solicitor local to work and make a lunchtime appointment!

Spendless

88Parrot88 said:

Savvy_Sue said:

I have a solicitor friend who said his firm had started, during lockdown, doing things remotely which they would not have considered possible previously.

However, you aren't going to be able to do this through an exchange of emails.

Before doing ANYTHING for a new client, a solicitor needs to carry out ID checks. They need to see you, and your ID. They might Zoom this, but they're unlikely to do it by email.

To you, it's all simple and straightforward. You may have already thought about all the What If questions. But they don't know that, and establishing that you have understood what's being asked isn't easily done via email.

I'm not sure what your objection is to the personal approach. When we did ours, we were sent a questionnaire,  we went to a face to face appointment where we went through the answers, we received a draft, we made corrections and then made an appointment to go in and sign. That last appointment really is the simplest way for everyone to be sure the will is validly signed and witnessed. 

Thanks. I’d rather spend my hard-earned annual leave doing something fun, rather than be stuck in a waiting room for a process that could easily be done online during my lunch hour… just finding this process a little antiquated, especially as there are plenty of ways to validate IDs online these days…

Then don't leave a will at all and leave the rules of intestacy to kick in and have someone use their time sorting your estate out instead. 

newatc

I can't see a problem in doing a will online or DIY in the OP's situation. 

There is a site called freewills.co.uk which seems to fit the bill but having never used them and I'm taking their info at face value ( for transparency, I used a solicitor because it wasn't 100% straightforward). They get a good rating on Trustpilot.

Sarahspangles

88Parrot88 said:

I'm trying to sort out my will. It should be pretty straightforward - house in my name only, no dependants, modest savings, etc., which is why I don't want to spend a lot of money on my will. I'd be happy to use a charity service and leave some of my savings to them. However, the ones I've looked at so far all insist on a "personal touch", with mandatory phone calls and even personal visits, which I really don't want to do. Are there any that do them fully or at least mostly online? Or would a DIY will work better in this case? 

When I last needed to update my Will I used a local solicitor, it was quick and straightforward.  Rather than google to see who wanted to sell me Will services (and probably upsell a lot of other services too) I used Yell listings and then visited websites to check the more local ones did Wills, and then got a couple of quotes over the phone.

Mirror wills took about three quarters of an hour’s discussion in person, drafts were posted out and we called in to sign them.  Bonus that there’s a nice real ale pub on the same street, which we appreciated after contemplating our own mortality.

We’ve used the same company for conveyancing since, and it’s been handy being able to drop things in as they’re nearby.

SevenOfNine

WH Smith do DiY ones but not on-line, you buy a pack with instructions & manually fill it in. Premium £34.99 & basic £29.99 https://www.whsmith.co.uk/products/lawpack-premium-last-will-and-testament-kit/9781910143841.html

On-line option only seem (at face value) to offer conversation if you get stuck, so don't get stuck. Eg  https://guardianangel.network/online-will?new_design=true&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Wills+High+Intent&utm_term=online will&agid=1355699614116295&cid=436353633&msclkid=502d220640ba153fe38b465aa49bc3d8

Personally, I wouldn't touch either suggestion with a bargepole, (your signature will still have to have 2 witnesses), but you should be able to knock WH Smith option out in your lunch break, & the second option even quicker in your tea break! 

Your chosen executors can sort out any possible resulting mess when you're gone, or perhaps just renounce (particularly if they're not beneficiaries). Can't recommend either suggestion (other than to say "don't"), we've always used a solicitor.

thegreenone

When we did our Wills, many many years ago, it was done by telephone/email but I believe things have changed and they will need to see sight of you and ID. 

When we updated recently, the same solicitor came to our house.  We went through everything, he sent drafts, we approved, he sent finals, we had our friends Witness and sent back to Solicitor,  he registered and sent the final Wills.  Job done.  Not difficult.

Next job:  LPAs!