Making a will

[vtecstu]

Wondering if anyone could point me in the direction of the easiest / quickest / cheapest way to make a will...? Not planning on death in the near future, but as a homeowner etc I know it's probably something I should have in place.

Mods - Sorry if this is the wrong forum, but I couldn't see anything relating to non-motoring legal stuff, and searching for 'will' came back with pretty much every single thread ever written!

Cheers!

Stu.

[condor]

You can pick up a d-i-y one at WH Smiths for a tenner - I did about 2 years ago....still haven't written it yet....must get round to doing it.
General bits inside are how you want your funeral to be - buried or cremated etc.
Also to detail your personal finances ie life insurances, share holdings, premium bonds, building society accounts etc.
It looked so much like hard work....that's why I didn't get around to filling it all in.

[Tiggsy]

as above...DIY one is fine if it's just you and a house.

[condor]

haworthlloyd1 said:

i'd say get it professionally done so many diy ones aren't valid.

Why do you think they're invalid? as long as it's fairly simple...single person house owner, nothing controversial.....where's the problem?

[vtecstu]

Cheers for responses so far. Didn't realise you could get DIY ones - assumed there would be a solicitor involved and would cost me £100+.

Intrigued to hear more on DIY ones 'not being valid' though before I go and sort one. As commented above, I think I'm pretty straightforward as far as this goes - my house and mortgage are just in my name, although I do live with my girlfriend - just wanting to make sure she's not shafted if things go badly wrong at some point...!

[condor]

I'd suggest just doing a d-i-y one even if it's just a practice one...as there's so much to consider re planning your own funeral, listing your financial details.
This is so much more of a chore than what percentage goes to family members/ charities.
I really must get round to sorting mine

[vtecstu]

haworthlloyd1 said:

can do diy ones but there are a few things needed to make a will valid and they need to be clear, often people with DIY wills don't do things as clearly as they should and are often open to debate hence being invalid.

if its simple you could try but for about £75 i think there are professional will companies that can do them.

Cool - that does make sense. Think am gonna go down the DIY route still - just make sure I'm even more anal than I have to be as a bean-counter at work!

Cheers again for the advice, all.

[g_attrill]

You can get one free using a Free Wills Network solicitor:

http://www.nationalfreewills.net/

It doesn't specify that you need to donate to a charity to benefit, but I'm sure you could find one to support in some way.
Their site doesn't list which charities contribute to the service, but http://www.google.co.uk/search?q="free+wills+... has a list.

[Tiggsy]

a DIY will can be cocked up...but you'd have to be a bit off a tool to do so.......and even then, it would need to be challenged to even be an issue.

if you have lots of assets that you want left to certain people, particularly if the people are not obvious choices, or if there are kids, then get a "proper" one. But if its you and house you want to go to your folks (or whatever) then DIY is ok IMO. (one of the most useful things to do is get some executors named so at least you know your folks (or whoever you pick) will be looking after things.

Tiggs (IHT specialist and drafted hundreds of expensive Wills.....and still think DIY is ok for simple affairs)

PS - Doesnt take much to set up as a "will writer"....dont assume they will all do as good a job as you with your £10 version!

[vtecstu]

Good info - cheers for the post, Tiggsy.