'Free Wills Months' is just marketing for a paid service.

Jon_01

As pushed on here, I've tried every company that says they take part in this in my area, and all of them say they've reached 'capacity', but are happy to offer a paid service (£500+).  This is 3 days since the scheme started this month.

None are transparent on how much capacity they offered the scheme.  As far as I can see, they use it as marketing.  It's totally pointless...

FlorayG

Lots of charities offer free wills throughout the year and they are easy to find.
You would expect any solicitor to have a limit on how many free wills they provide; they have to pay bills as well, you know

OliverLacon

I was "nabbed" on the way out of Matalan recently by a charity "representative"  with a free wills offer. When I looked into it the offer was for a very simple will only. Anything slightly more complicated would have to be paid for (presumably at the solicitors standard rates). I'm wondering if solicitors are doing the free charity sponsored wills in order to sell you something more expensive when you go to your appointment.  

Albermarle

OliverLacon said:

I was "nabbed" on the way out of Matalan recently by a charity "representative"  with a free wills offer. When I looked into it the offer was for a very simple will only. Anything slightly more complicated would have to be paid for (presumably at the solicitors standard rates). I'm wondering if solicitors are doing the free charity sponsored wills in order to sell you something more expensive when you go to your appointment.  

One problem you see cropping up in other forums on MSE, is where someone has written a will and has expressed a desire that a family member does not get the money until they are 21 or 25 for example.
However unless the will is written properly, setting up a trust for example, this general stated desire to delay giving money until they reach a certain age, holds no legal standing and the person will get their money when 18.

lindylootoo

I've been in touch with a few solicitors who are offering to prepare a simple will for anything from £20 to £65. I'm single (divorced), a home owner, two adult children who will inherit everything I have and one will be my executor...............what can possibly go wrong?
I've already drafted the will but am inclined to give my draft to one of the solicitors - who should be able to provide witnesses to signatures and any other formalities required. Should I feel confident in asking one of these solicitors - or should I go to the one who has quoted me £800 plus? 

Albermarle

lindylootoo said:

I've been in touch with a few solicitors who are offering to prepare a simple will for anything from £20 to £65. I'm single (divorced), a home owner, two adult children who will inherit everything I have and one will be my executor...............what can possibly go wrong?
I've already drafted the will but am inclined to give my draft to one of the solicitors - who should be able to provide witnesses to signatures and any other formalities required. Should I feel confident in asking one of these solicitors - or should I go to the one who has quoted me £800 plus? 

Yours does seem a simple situation ( presuming there was a full and final financial legal settlement when you got divorced) .
However £20 seems ridiculously cheap for a solicitor. Normally they would charge that for a phone call. Even £65 is not a lot. Probably your draft will need rewriting to some extent in more legal terms.
On the other hand £800 seems excessive/unnecessary for just checking, or even redrafting a simple will. 

You might be better asking the question here.
Deaths, funerals & probate — MoneySavingExpert Forum