Writing a will without paying a solicitor

[JonRGV250]

I need to write a will, and apparently can do this free?
It'll be as simple as possible with properties and everything else going to my parents and when they depart everything will go to my nephews (providing I snuff it first).
Has anyone done this and can advise?

 

[darkgen]

which has a good guide.

 

[darael]

I'd get this done legally, so the will is watertight and cannot be contested.

 

[DB_SamX]

Go through a charity that partners up with solicitors in the Free Will Network. About to do kine that way soon. The charity says there ia no pressure to leave them anything but I'll probably do anyway.

E.g. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/support-us/gifts-in-wills/free-will-writing

 

[bm_999]

pretty sure you can get a online guide and as long as all is signed and witenessed you would be all good

 

[Meridian]

Let me get this straight: you says "properties" in the plural, implying that a lot of money is involved? And you aren't willing to pay at most about £500 to get a lawyer to do it properly? Please unerstand: ALL wills can be contested, but one drawn up by a lawyer is less likely to end up failing the challenge. Seriously, get a lawyer.

 

[rodders]

We looked at writing a will ourselves, from a DIY £5 kit from eBay.
But then we paid someone and happy we did. All the wording is correct etc....and was only around £300/400
Cheap piece of mind really.
It's also in secure storage and have a box with it too, so I can store personal info, bank account number, investment details etc...
So in the event of a bad day, all this can be taken out with the Will.
I also get free amendments for life, for easy changes.

 

[dlockers]

Dogs trust. You pay them when you are dead which is basically free, right?

 

[DXP55]

We have ours free provided you leave a small amout to a named charity - Our's is Air Ambulance - Doesn't really matter with us as we are last in line so no one to leave it to.
All I do now is send them a envelope sealed with any changes to our financial affairs so they can sort it out quickly.

 

[dlockers]

We have ours free provided you leave a small amout to a named charity - Our's is Air Ambulance - Doesn't really matter with us as we are last in line so no one to leave it to.
All I do now is send them a envelope sealed with any changes to our financial affairs so they can sort it out quickly.

Can I have your tools?

 

[hudson86]

We looked at writing a will ourselves, from a DIY £5 kit from eBay.
But then we paid someone and happy we did. All the wording is correct etc....and was only around £300/400
Cheap piece of mind really.
It's also in secure storage and have a box with it too, so I can store personal info, bank account number, investment details etc...
So in the event of a bad day, all this can be taken out with the Will.
I also get free amendments for life, for easy changes.

Need to do one myself, if yours is stored elsewhere and you cop out, how does the will come to light afterwards ?

 

[rodders]

Need to do one myself, if yours is stored elsewhere and you cop out, how does the will come to light afterwards ?

Wife if she is still alive, or if we both go, our brothers both have a certificate of the storage of the will.
They just have to remember they have it!

 

[Chris Wilson]

Pay a solicitor, but find a good one, which these days is not so easy. They should (I nearly said can) spot a potential issue before it becomes a problem, albeit after you are pushing up the daisies. Just because the beneficiaries are harmonious now does NOT mean they will necessarily be harmonious after your last breath.

 

[Haze]

Let me get this straight: you says "properties" in the plural, implying that a lot of money is involved? And you aren't willing to pay at most about £500 to get a lawyer to do it properly? Please unerstand: ALL wills can be contested, but one drawn up by a lawyer is less likely to end up failing the challenge. Seriously, get a lawyer.

Makes your mind boggle doesn't it

 

[JonRGV250]

Thanks for all the replies.
I'm going to use the Blue Cross to sort it and will leave them £££'s, and copies will go to those named in it etc.
I doubt anyone (my parents/brother/nephews) will contest anything as they're all fairly well off, but as has been said, that's not to say they won't.

 

[MrRockliffe]

Make your Will for Good

www.bequeathed.org

 

[TangoEchoAlpha]

Use a solicitor or a proper company with experience of will writing, estate management, etc. The one I used charges £85 for a single will, they can do everything needed over the phone or Zoom. If you have multiple properties and a RTX4090, I think £85 should be good value for money

Wills Pattison James Associates Limited | Will writing Camberley | Will writer Wales | Will writing Surrey

www.pjawills.co.uk

There is absolutely no way I would use a self writing service or one of the kits from WHSmith. Get it done properly, save your loved ones the headache on top of the bereavement.

 

[Meridian]

Thanks for all the replies.
I'm going to use the Blue Cross to sort it and will leave them £££'s, and copies will go to those named in it etc.

Be aware (because the Blue Cross's lawyer may not say) that if your will leaves money to charity then the charity(s) concerned will want to see a load of paperwork after your death: financial statements, a copy of the will etc. That's if you don't use a charity lawyer. I would assume that if you do it's similar though.

 

[Haze]

I would not waste your breath, OP knows better than everyone else, don't know why some people ask for help, when they are already more clued up than everyone else

 

[SexyGreyFox]

We looked at writing a will ourselves, from a DIY £5 kit from eBay.
But then we paid someone and happy we did. All the wording is correct etc....and was only around £300/400
Cheap piece of mind really.
It's also in secure storage and have a box with it too, so I can store personal info, bank account number, investment details etc...
So in the event of a bad day, all this can be taken out with the Will.
I also get free amendments for life, for easy changes.

We've done something similar but our house is also in a trust for the kids and if we end up in a home the State can't use money from it.
I'm quite impressed with the company because even though it was a good year ago they keep us informed and have just sent papers to be resigned.
I am currently witnessing a family fighting a Will because their Dad did his own. He left nothing to one child and two Grandkids.