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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to buy a £10 Last Will pack from the internet and just do it?

34 replies

annadina · 17/03/2015 13:44

I haven't got a will, neither has DH. I think about it, usually before flying (yes, I know, stupidly safe but there you go) then do nothing. A quick google has found the £10 will packs to fill in a simple will with the option of storage as well. So seeing as there is no time/money to do the solicitor thing before the next flights, do we do the internet one? Or is it just a big waste of time? I know that I should have it done properly, but I haven't and if the last few years are anything to go by, I still won't, so is it worth the £10?

OP posts:
morgyworgy · 17/03/2015 13:46

Yabu paying £10.
They are £2.50 in the post office near me

Chunderella · 17/03/2015 13:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FromMeToYou · 17/03/2015 13:55

If it's a straightforward will ie leaving everything to husband/kids, you can do it yourself, just google it.

Flossyfloof · 17/03/2015 14:03

If you want help, they often have offers on Groupon/Wowcher. They also have free or very cheap will writing at certain times off the year at solicitors, but they usually expect you to make a donation to Cancer Tesearch or something like that.
I did mine for £15.
By a,l means do it yourself, it might be helpful to have professional help in case there is something you haven't considered. They will try to sell you Power of Attorney and get you to make a Trust though.

Theoretician · 17/03/2015 14:05

I've lost count of the number if DIY wills I've started. None have ever been completed because I never get round to finding people to witness them.

Bilberrycrumble · 17/03/2015 14:34

if you live in the UK and there's no children involved from previous marriage etc just do it.

spad · 17/03/2015 14:46

Get organised and do it properly. And while you are there do your power of attorney.

We got ours done after Martin Moneysaver scared the crap out of me presented an informative radio show about widows and widowers.

SuedeEffectPochette · 17/03/2015 14:53

I would get a solicitor to do it - you would be surprised how easy it is to cock up.
For example, a will saying "all to husband and then to kids" was subject to lengthy litigation as what the writer had done (unintentionally) was set up a trust for life for husband and then an interest for kids after husbands death. The mistake is - you can't dictate what happens to the money after you give it to husband.... Anyway, it's easy to mess it up, basically.

CMOTDibbler · 17/03/2015 15:04

Get Mumblechum (ad in the small business section on here) to do it

Casimir · 17/03/2015 15:06

just sign it all over to 'Casimir' and you'll be fine.

LittleBearPad · 17/03/2015 15:07

Mumblechum did ours and we were very pleased.

BreakingDad77 · 17/03/2015 15:10

Agree with Spad, if you have the money and time then make a lasting power of attorney. Wills only help if you lose your life, not your mind.

Chunkymonkey79 · 17/03/2015 15:12

Tesco Extra do them too. Easy and straightforward, go for it!

KumquatMay · 17/03/2015 16:35

Oooh gosh, I just assumed everything went to DH if I died - is there not some sort of 'default' option if you don't have a will?!

grovel · 17/03/2015 16:38

Google "Rules of Intestacy".

shakemysilliesout · 17/03/2015 18:06

Depends what you want. If you die tomorrow, your Dh remarries on Thursday and he decides to spend all his money of a cruise with his 2nd wife will you be annoyed you didn't go to a solicitor to protect money for your children? It happens plenty. Mn hates people who want inheritance though.

LineRunner · 17/03/2015 18:13

I have a ten quid will because it all goes to the DCs (including the sad clause about what happens if one pre-deceases the other).

Anything more complicated than that, I would go to mumblechum.

Original poster
annadina · 17/03/2015 20:04

Well I did it - the £10 one. Am seeing it as temporary - it certainly didn't seem very substantial, but having guardians for the children named, and someone sensible as executor are the main bits as I see it. DH wasn't too impressed with the funeral arrangements bit, but has decided to do one also. Then need to crack on worth proper solicitors etc when (if!) we return from our travels.

OP posts:
spad · 17/03/2015 20:19

Book the solicitors appointment before you go.

And make sure you do the Power of Attorney too. My FB read about a guy who had a terrible accident . He was single and the council were able to take control if his assets. He then recovered and is now fighting the council to get his money back.

prh47bridge · 17/03/2015 20:19

There is nothing special about a DIY will pack. Your will doesn't have to be written on special paper. However, DIY wills are often a false saving. Probate lawyers make a significant proportion of their income sorting out the mess left by someone who has produced a DIY will. People make all kinds of mistakes. Getting a will done professionally shouldn't cost much and gives you peace of mind. Many people have recommended Mumblechum.

voiceofnoreason · 17/03/2015 20:39

If you have toothache and want it seen - you could go to the dentist or get yer next door neighbour to punch you hard in the face several times. In both instances the toothache goes away.

In one instance a highly trained and insured professional does the right thing by your wishes and in the other the toothache comes back sooner or later, usually after the swelling goes down.

£10 wills are a waste of money. Will writers are almost always a waste of more money as they charge even more and are usually moderately well informed.

Generally our holidays in the maldives are paid for by cleaning up after the £10 wills. The fact we fly first class is as a result of the will writers.

Strange we almost never see a contentious probate arising from a will from a fully qualified STEP practitioner only from the cheap wills.

Hulababy · 17/03/2015 20:45

DH can make far more money from an estate dealing with a DIY will than he can from writing a proper will in the first place. They can be a big false economy, even with some relatively simple wishes.

Voiceofnoreason · 17/03/2015 20:49

Hula - we are with you there - DH does like a contentious probate - they are always gripping.

So you save a few quid - but you leave a huge heartache for people to clear up. Still you keep doing it - those first class flights wont buy themselves!!!

crackerjack00 · 17/03/2015 20:53

Oooh gosh, I just assumed everything went to DH if I died - is there not some sort of 'default' option if you don't have a will?!

What if (God forbid) you both died at the same time?

I don't have a will either hence me reading this thread but this scenario is why I know I need one!!

spad · 17/03/2015 21:39

Hula and Voice of

Hahahahahaha!!!

Good on your DH'S! Keep enjoying those flights.

I think we should re post this and make everyone realise. The dentist is exactly right.