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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Wills

14 replies

LifeExperimentation · 19/12/2019 11:53

So confused about wills - specifically, if we need a solicitor or not... Am I unreasonable to use one, when there's cheaper services available??

When it comes to wills, what type of service have you used? I've had quotes from various solicitors and will writers, and there's quite a price variation, from £200-£675. Then there's the likes of Farewill (and DIY), who are cheap.

I have one child. Also have a ltd co, where I'm the sole director. Pensions and life insurances to consider. We have decided on our guardians.

Helllllllp!

OP posts:

BonnyConnie · 19/12/2019 11:57

In theory it should be simple to write a will yourself however if you have no legal training or any complex matters (like trusts) you may end up creating an instrument that is invalid or does not have the effect you want. In regards to insurance you’ll have to contact you insurance company to nominate a beneficiary as this isn’t really something that would fall to your estate. I believe some pension companies allow you to do similar although I’m not sure what the tax implication would be there. If your child is under 18 I would recommend getting a professional will drawn up.

NoMorePoliticsPlease · 19/12/2019 12:02

I have used a solicitor. I found it was very useful in discussing scenarios that may not be so straight forward. Eg we have 4 adult married children. Everything is simply split 4 ways. Question, what if one of them dies? Simple, it goes to the wife/husband. Q. what if they divorced or remarried, how would you feel about your grandchildren sharing with half siblings of a new relationship etc. There are also Power of Attorney very important, Guardians are a different matter. If you suddenly had a devastating accident, who makes health and financial decisions? You need to cover all the bases and i dont think a cheap service can do this

paw1977 · 19/12/2019 12:08

I work for estate lawyer . OP what part of the country are you in and I can pass you the details .

Original poster

LifeExperimentation · 19/12/2019 12:09

@paw1977 I'm in the North West.

OP posts:

indecis · 19/12/2019 12:09

I used a solicitor but used a similar scheme to will aid whereby I paid £100 to a charity and the solicitor did the work for free. It may be more if it's complicated though, mine was very straightforward. My solicitor told me they're doing it again in April as I may have some updates I need to make.

www.willaid.org.uk/

paw1977 · 19/12/2019 12:13

Aah I'm in a different part of the country.

If I were you I would try to find a local recommendations .

paw1977 · 19/12/2019 12:14

I would advise getting lawyer though, as they should talk through all aspects of Will, guardians for a children etc . Also you may need power of attorneys in place .

JacobReesClunge · 19/12/2019 12:24

Get someone who's legally qualified and has insurance in place so they're worth suing if they fuck up. That doesn't necessarily mean a solicitor, there are legal execs etc who are also very good. Wills are not very expensive and I'd be surprised if, in the north west, you can't get decent mirror wills based on what you've said for £300.

Don't do it yourself. There are people on here who have and are very happy with it, but if they're still alive to type then it's about as much sense as recommending a new type of biscuit you haven't tasted yet!

PooWillyBumBum · 19/12/2019 12:32

I used a solicitor via Will Aid (or similar scheme) a couple of years ago. We paid £150 to charity for a couples will through a local well respected place and it was helpful. He asked questions I wouldn’t have thought of and they also keep a copy on file for free in case ours get lost.

Original poster

LifeExperimentation · 19/12/2019 12:37

So, the resounding consensus is to use a solicitor! It's a shame that Will Aid isn't available right now.

OP posts:

MinnieMountain · 19/12/2019 12:59

Think of the money it costs to have it done properly as saving your executors potentially lots of hassle when you die.

JacobReesClunge · 19/12/2019 13:33

And peace of mind for you before that.

Original poster

LifeExperimentation · 19/12/2019 13:41

@JacobReesClunge True. I have just upped my life insurance and I can't believe how much more of a peace of mind I have about it. I never even thought it bothered me.

OP posts:

Hont1986 · 19/12/2019 14:10

Macmillan run a Free Will Service now, you can have your will written through them. One of the available methods is to have a local solicitor do it, you can also do it a few other ways. I used the online service and found it very easy.
You don't have to have cancer to use it, anyone can access it. The 'catch' is that they hope you will leave a gift to them in your will, which I think is fair enough.

www.macmillan.org.uk/donate/gifts-in-wills/free-will-service.html

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