Wills help

[Haylee1981]

Hey all. My nan has full mental capacity but unfortunately can no longer write due to loss of hand co-ordination. She has never done a will but has recently asked me to look into a basic will, I chose lawpack. She has no property and little savings. Everything she has will go to my mum (her daughter) My question is…can I fill in the will for her with names, addresses etc as long as she signs and so do the witnesses??? Many thanks, I’m at a loss.

Yes that's fine, normally these days wills are typed anyway but if you have one of those pack thingies it's OK for you to fill it in and her to sign, providing she has capacity of course and understands what she's signing, and it's properly dated and witnessed not by a beneficiary. If it's a very simple document you could always type the words from the form into a word doc and she could sign that instead but it isn't necessary.

Make sure everything on there is legible without crossings out or corrections and so on, and if you are worried at all about any family members being unhappy at all just staple on a little addendum to say what you've done in terms of scribing her instructions and that she was happy for you to do so, and she can sign or initial that to show her agreement? It's highly unlikely a low value will would ever be contested anyway but I do know how people get about these things...

I'm so sorry for your situation Hope you're okay.

I have no expertise in this whatsoever, but there must be something in place for people to have wills written for them by someone else on their behalf if they are incapable of writing (and I mean incapable as in they have no hands, or have never been able to write in their life - as what would happen if they wanted to have a will?)

Yes, or you could type it for her?

Two independent witnesses remember- cannot me mentioned in the Will or relatives and must be over 18. They must sign, print their names and then addresses.

Whatever you do - don’t staple anything to a will. If you want to add an explanation, which is always a good idea if there is a chance of any questions, add a separate sheet of a paper to be kept with the will inside an envelope. The will is a stand alone document - don’t attach anything to it even with a paper clip.

I work in wills and probate.

When you have the will signed, you can store it with the HM Courts and Tribunals Service. You then know it is safe.www.gov.uk/government/publications/store-a-will-with-the-probate-service/how-to-store-a-will-with-the-probate-service

Yes

DIY wills are not recommended. If she can afford a solicitor I would recommend she contacts a local STEP solicitor.