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Original poster

Make your own Will kit - worth it?

11 replies

MummyAbroad · 01/09/2011 23:51

I have just been looking at kits for making your own will (I dont have one) both the paper variety like this and software kind like this

Has anyone else used these? Are these a great money saving idea or is there some reason why going to a solicitor is so much better?

OP posts:
STIDW · 02/09/2011 00:30

DIY wills can be a false economy. I'm one of the executors of my aunt's estate and the DIY will has taken some sorting out because it wasn't witnessed properly. That was complicated by one of the witnesses being no longer capable of running their affairs and the other was quite elderly and frail and could have passed away at anytime.

mumofsoontobelawstudent · 02/09/2011 08:08

NO NO NO NO! Don't do it!
I've read on numerous occasions cases where people have done DIY will which have not been valid. There is a poster on here whose DH is a probate lawyer and apparently he makes more money from sorting out cocked up DIY will cases than he does for drafting wills.

Another regular on here has her own will writing business that I would recommend, Marlow Wills. Think it is in small businesses. It really is money well spent to ensure no problems in the future.

mumblechum1 · 02/09/2011 10:11

Thanks for the plug, Mumofsoon!

OP, If your nickname is indicative of your living overseas at the moment, it's particularly important to make a will in England and Wales if you are domiciled here.

Domicile essentially means the country which you consider your long term home, eg where you see yourself living permanently in the future.

If your will isn't properly drafted, it may fail, which can cause a lot of extra hassle and expense for your loved ones.

Not sure if the link posted by MumofSoon will work, but the ad is over on small Business Ads in the Classified Section (5* Will Writing Service recommended by Mumsnetters www.marlowwills.co.uk)

Original poster
MummyAbroad · 02/09/2011 16:25

Thanks for the responses, I suspected that a DIY will isnt such a great idea, I guess I just needed to hear it from people who know.

I do live abroad mumblechum1 so that probably makes everything more complicated anyway.

Thanks for the links everyone, I will get right on it.

OP posts:
mumofsoontobelawstudent · 02/09/2011 18:04

I'm shite at links Sad Need to learn to do a lot more IT type thingys before my IT Manager/DS buggers off to Uni.

mumblechum1 · 02/09/2011 19:10
Grin

They do come in handy sometimes, don't they?

Hope you have plenty of kleenex for the day of departure...

mumofsoontobelawstudent · 03/09/2011 22:13

Yes, lots of tissues, there will be many tears (of joy!) Just think how much my food bills will reduce. I won't get up in the morning and find all the sodding lights in the house on and the living room looking like a squat Grin You have a teenager don't you, you must have some experience of that!

This reminds me, I really must get off my arse and instruct you to draft new wills for DH and myself. Keep putting it off and have just realised that since our last wills were done I've had two more DC, sold a house, bought a house..... lalalala, us lawyers are the worst!

Dysgu · 03/09/2011 23:02

I am definitely going to be in touch to get our wills sorted. I had tried to find your advert in the classifieds section before but the link wouldn't work - so I gave up!

We have often talked about getting wills sorted but never got round to it - even though we now have 2DC and KNOW we need wills! What with his commute and him working when I am not and vice versa we just never managed to get an appointment we could both make.

I have just had a look at your website and being able to sort it all by telephone and email looks great. I don't know why we didn't think of that before - I am sure we did that when we bought out house! Will get DP to get in touch in the next fortnight as he is on leave from work!

Just a question (sorry to hijack) will you need to speak to both of us or will he be able to sort everything?

mumblechum1 · 04/09/2011 16:53

mumofsson, Your food bills won't reduce. You'll be sending him rations every week, I bet. Mine's 17 (yesterday!) and just about to embark on Alevels.

You know where I am when you're ready to do your will. I know what it's like, most people just put it off because there's always something more interesting/pressing to do.

Dysgu, sorry you couldn't see the ad; I let it lapse for a month while I was on holiday.

You were asking whether I'd need to speak to both of you - ideally yes, but it normally only takes half an hour to take instructions.

STIDW · 05/09/2011 02:26

Food bills reducing? Even at 24 and 29 mine keep coming back like boomerangs.

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