please talk to me about getting a will written

[dedado]

What's your opinion on diy kits?
Do you know of any upcoming will-writing offers e.g. the ones linked to charitable donations for a free will?
What's the going rate for writing a will?

my circumstances are - single, one child (toddler age), a few assets including a home and savings.

Thanks

I've just written a Will with a DIY kit, but I don't have many assets! There's loads of information here: www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/free-cheap-wills (can't do a clicky link as on my phone)

There's an MNer who has a will writing service - her reviews are excellent and her ad includes her prices.

I think the free will thing is November but for the over 55s?

Thanks for your help.
I'm in Scotland so can't use the MNer unfortunately.

From many things I have read having a DIY will can often be worse than no will at all. I would take great care.

I need more info on this :( My mother is 84 and not too well sadly. She has no will and seems to think we will just be able to help ourselves to her money to 'bury' her etc. We have tried to explain but all she says is 'well, there's xxx in Natwest, xxx in the post office, xxx in the wardrobe (!)' etc. She has very little but we will have no money for her funeral unless we can access hers! What is the best thing to do??

Tracey, I think if she only has a small amount of money in the banks, maybe under 500, they can release it without a will but otherwise someone will have to go through the lengthy legal process.

No it's more than that - probably only around £17,000 or so... Going to have to get her to do something!!

You should get a will done professionally, immediately . Also you can ensure that you get immediate access for funeral expenses. I think it is unfair of elderly people not to make a will. It takes ages to get probate without a will. Whatever you all do, make sure you know what savings are where. It can take a long time to sort out otherwise and it will cost more!! None of you mention houses so I assume these are not included in various valuations you are mentioning. Also I am against DIY wills as people tend to get them wrong. Also everyone with children should definitely have a will. You may not have much but you shoud be absolutely clear who is going to have it and how it is going to be held in trust until children are older. It is imperative that those who are left know exactly what their relative wanted. Not sure how much a will costs as we did ours a long time ago but it is a false economy not to do one.

It is ridiculous that my mother is being so dense about it! She has no house now so it will be insanity when she dies. She seems to think we'll just pop along to the bank and take out the money we need. I will drag her along to a solicitor next week..

EeTracey. Do you have any relatives that could come and have a little chat with your Mum and point out how upsetting it will be for you to have to deal with her being intestate upon her death ? Or maybe a friend of hers. When my mum was being ridiculous about not selling her draughty, unheated, unmodernised miserable house that was eating money I was able to contact one of my uncles whom she listened to. Success!! By the way, solicitors are very friendly and easy to talk to about these matters and I think she might find her fears are not founded. Good luck

Hulababys husband is a solicitor specialising in will writing and probate, he says he makes more money through badly written wills than writing them!

You really want to use a proper solicitors rather than just a will writing service. Solicitors specialising in this area can guide you through the process and help you with tax planning. They will also generally keep a file of information about why you may have specified things to go they way they have.

She won't listen to anyone - just gets cross with everyone. I have blunty told her that unless something is sorted out,. she will not get the 'naice' funeral tea she is expecting and the grandchildren won't just get a 'little bit' and everything she has said basically means nothing! So, we'll see.

OP, sorry you can't use my firm, as we cover only England and Wales. What you should do is contact the Scottish branch of the Institute of Professional Willwriters (we're in the English version) to find someone near your mum.

Willwriters are often semi-retired lawyers like myself who don't want the hassle and overheads of running a high street practice. Members of the IPW have to obviously prove that they're qualified and are subject to regular scrutiny, have to keep up their professional development and have indemnity insurance. The charge is usually about half of the price of high street lawyers.

Thanks , I'll do that .