Have existing will(15 years old).Need to amend the share % between 4 siblings....can I....

Mojisola

silvercar said:

I. Think you are fine to re type. It would be worth letting the new solicitors know that the will they hold has been replaced. 

You should really get the original signed will from them and destroy it after making the new one.

maman

I understood your intentions from the first post. I'm guessing that now your family members are 15 years older their circumstances have changed so that perhaps you want to increase the percentages to the younger members and vice versa. 

Bill85

What I was looking for was to get opinions on copying the original will along with the jargon contained and just tweaking the amount of shares four loved siblings would have.It went off in different directions with one or two people making suggestions that the will was not now fit for purpose. I then had to explain that in this particular instance it still was, and if I were to kick the bucket tomorrow it would still be valid.
I have been around close friends and relations to know that  a close family will is settled without the drama and never gets to be in the sight of a lawyer again........I guess I am sticking in as a mattter of principle.I expected a small handling fee.Not to have a rewrite.

Emmia

Bill85 said:

What I was looking for was to get opinions on copying the original will along with the jargon contained and just tweaking the amount of shares four loved siblings would have.It went off in different directions with one or two people making suggestions that the will was not now fit for purpose. I then had to explain that in this particular instance it still was, and if I were to kick the bucket tomorrow it would still be valid.
I have been around close friends and relations to know that  a close family will is settled without the drama and never gets to be in the sight of a lawyer again........I guess I am sticking in as a mattter of principle.I expected a small handling fee.Not to have a rewrite.

The problem is that any change to a will, is a rewrite, re-witness etc.

maman

I don't know what prices @Bill85 was quoted but re-typing a will and signing again with a very few minor changes shouldn't cost as much as starting from a blank piece of paper IMO. It's like asking your hairdresser to just cut your fringe and being charged full whack. 

user1977

Bill85 said:

I guess I am sticking in as a mattter of principle.I expected a small handling fee.Not to have a rewrite.

Crazy idea, but why not try asking different solicitors, not just the one who happens to be in the same building as your old one?

Bill85

Went there first because thats where the Will is kept...Did phone around local solicitors..... all wanted to re write again
which I can understand as they did not pen the original.

Mojisola

Bill85 said:

What I was looking for was to get opinions on copying the original will along with the jargon contained and just tweaking the amount of shares four loved siblings would have.

Of course it's perfectly possible to do this but proof-read very carefully and get someone else to do the same before signing it.

Make sure you know the rules about signing and witnessing and who can witness it.

What people have pointed out is that rules have changed and a will written a good few years ago may have in it clauses that are no longer necessary and may just complications (although the will would still be valid).

Emmia

Bill85 said:

Went there first because thats where the Will is kept...Did phone around local solicitors..... all wanted to re write again
which I can understand as they did not pen the original.

So you thought they'd give you a knockdown price for the edits?

It's a new will (replacing the current one) whether they draft it, or another firm does.

Bill85

Yes I thought some consideration might be given.I was wrong they would not.So I am going to make these very small changes to these minor share difference to my four close sons and grandchildren in the way I have discribed earlier.
I have carried out several searches and enquiries and am confident of what I am about to do.
On another note: The amount of un- solicited follow up texts and e-mail from Will writers , legal institutions charities etc. has been a real eye opener.This is big business.
Thanks to those who saw what I wanted from this forum.  Apologies to those others. Maybe I could have been more clear.