On-line will writers - any issues with these?

[Mars]

I naively used to think that any document you signed would suffice as a Will until my father died and my mother sought to amend their joint Will, finding it did not pass some test for legitimacy. That Will was originally written by a lawyer, so in seeking to write my own Will, I am a little sceptical of the on-line Will writing companies.

But, they are cheap, and I really don't think a Will ought to cost heaven and earth... so, can anyone confirm if I need be worried about this, or just get stuck in?

[Chozza]

Depend on the complexity of the will!

If you are trying to save money - and have plans on leaving a gift to a charity ( and are over 55 ) then Free Wills Month starts in October

If things are complex/you have lots of money, then Wills and Trust accountants combined with solicitor could be the best approach

[mattyprice4004]

I used Farewill, and going by their reviews and feedback seem to be up to the job (including from some beneficiaries who appear to have successfully used the will in question).

[Colonel Cupcake]

I was very happy to pay a proper solicitor who specialises in wills to draft mine. If you word your will wrong, you are not around to ask exactly what your intentions are and your beneficiaries may lose some or all of what you intended.

About £200 I think it was and that included Mrs Cupcakes will as it was a virtual mirror of mine. Worth every penny.

[Jazoli]

Be aware that a lot of them will name themselves as an executor of the will, which means when the person dies they can charge their fees.

We have just experienced this with my late Father in Laws will and had to pay them to renounce their executor status, which they begrudgingly did as there was no money in the estate.

[PF62]

Chozza said:

If you are trying to save money - and have plans on leaving a gift to a charity ( and are over 55 ) then Free Wills Month starts in October

Or alternatively Will Aid where you get a properly drawn up will for a (suggested) £100 donation to a range of charities.

https://www.willaid.org.uk/

[Mr.Chips]

Be careful. We had our wills done, by a company online. We had a home visit to discuss all the requirements. In the end, we got mirror wills made up. While they were at it, they suggested family trusts and lasting powers of attorney. The costs ramped up bloody quick, from wills at around £250 to the full package at £5000 We told them to foxtrot Oscar. A work colleague of mine did take them up on it and it took 5 years before he had the product they promised him. In addition, the company split itself in two a few years later and he gets calls/letters from each wing of the company saying they have no record of the will, but when he contacts them, they each say it is being held by the other company. Cowboys doesn’t even come close.

[Mars]

Oh wow - I thought it might not be as simple as I hoped. I'm glad I asked. Thanks for the advice. I think it's probably worth a chat with a proper solicitor then.

I won't have a lot to leave (a house) but I want to make sure it goes to my children and there's no way anyone else could get at it.

[Vanden Crash]

After a solicitor tried to sneak in some dodgy clauses in a trust I was drawing up, I sacked it all off and used which wills instead.

[grumpyscot]

But remember you need to be aware of the differences in inheritance rules in different pars of the UK which online will writers don't recognise. e.g. in Scotland, you cannot disinherit your children.

[Andy 308GTB]

Jazoli said:

Be aware that a lot of them will name themselves as an executor of the will, which means when the person dies they can charge their fees.

100% this. And the fees they apply can be eye watering.
A friend got caught by this in some very sad circumstances. Challenging the solicitors fees would have made a very difficult & tragic time even harder.
I guess the assumption is that people won't be in the mood for a legal battle and will simply look at the the money they have inherited.

[Paft Dunk]

Also a Which Wills user. Went for their reviewed and stored service. As an unmarried couple I’d say our financial setup is mildly complex, but it was easy to work through with their guidance.

[FatboyKim]

Mr.Chips said:

Be careful. We had our wills done, by a company online. We had a home visit to discuss all the requirements. In the end, we got mirror wills made up. While they were at it, they suggested family trusts and lasting powers of attorney. The costs ramped up bloody quick, from wills at around £250 to the full package at £5000 We told them to foxtrot Oscar. A work colleague of mine did take them up on it and it took 5 years before he had the product they promised him. In addition, the company split itself in two a few years later and he gets calls/letters from each wing of the company saying they have no record of the will, but when he contacts them, they each say it is being held by the other company. Cowboys doesn’t even come close.

I work for a sizeable financial services company (accountancy, financial advice, estate planning etc.) and we would usually advise LPAs and a Trust where necessary on top of a will. Indeed, the costs can ramp up (although, nowhere near £5000!) -- will (x2), health & welfare LPA (x2), finance LPA (x2), Trust setup and annual accounts for the Trust if necessary.

[Mars]

Andy 308GTB said:

Jazoli said:

Be aware that a lot of them will name themselves as an executor of the will, which means when the person dies they can charge their fees.

100% this. And the fees they apply can be eye watering.
A friend got caught by this in some very sad circumstances. Challenging the solicitors fees would have made a very difficult & tragic time even harder.
I guess the assumption is that people won't be in the mood for a legal battle and will simply look at the the money they have inherited.

Thanks - what is the alternative in this regard?

[Andy 308GTB]

Mars said:

Andy 308GTB said:

Jazoli said:

Be aware that a lot of them will name themselves as an executor of the will, which means when the person dies they can charge their fees.

100% this. And the fees they apply can be eye watering.
A friend got caught by this in some very sad circumstances. Challenging the solicitors fees would have made a very difficult & tragic time even harder.
I guess the assumption is that people won't be in the mood for a legal battle and will simply look at the the money they have inherited.

Thanks - what is the alternative in this regard?

Specify a family member as the Executor (Ibut don't take my word for it!). My brother and I are both executors for my parents wills.

Their entire business model is based on them being the executor. The £20 loss leader Will - returns many thousands of pounds in years to come. So they may object to not being named as the executor.

This is my very limited experience of this but I was shocked when my mate told me what had happened.

[Vasco]

You can use part-completed wills if it's all simple with no problems (just 2 witnesses). From WH Smith or other statiioners.
Don't use if you have a complicated family, business etc

[MustangGT]

Andy 308GTB said:

Mars said:

Andy 308GTB said:

Jazoli said:

Be aware that a lot of them will name themselves as an executor of the will, which means when the person dies they can charge their fees.

100% this. And the fees they apply can be eye watering.
A friend got caught by this in some very sad circumstances. Challenging the solicitors fees would have made a very difficult & tragic time even harder.
I guess the assumption is that people won't be in the mood for a legal battle and will simply look at the the money they have inherited.

Thanks - what is the alternative in this regard?

Specify a family member as the Executor (Ibut don't take my word for it!). My brother and I are both executors for my parents wills.

Their entire business model is based on them being the executor. The £20 loss leader Will - returns many thousands of pounds in years to come. So they may object to not being named as the executor.

This is my very limited experience of this but I was shocked when my mate told me what had happened.

Simple solution to that would be to name the solicitor as executor to keep them happy, then simply redraft the will with the family members as executors, get it signed with witnesses and the latest dated will applies.

[Petrus1983]

Go to your local family solicitor and pay the £150/200. Just when your loved ones are trying to deal with all that comes from a deceased relative - they then have the potential of a incomplete/incorrect will. It’s just not worth it IMO.

[Vasco]

Petrus1983 said:

Go to your local family solicitor and pay the £150/200. Just when your loved ones are trying to deal with all that comes from a deceased relative - they then have the potential of a incomplete/incorrect will. It’s just not worth it IMO.

It depends. A simple will needs very little input - common sense and witnesses. It also avoids solicitors adding in bits that are simply not required!

[LordHaveMurci]

Who’s being quoted £150-200 for a solicitor to draw up a will?

When I enquired earlier this year I was being quoted £400+ & I’m not loaded & my will is fairly simple!