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Writing a Will.. Advice please :)

13 replies

WrappedInABlankie · 18/03/2015 22:58

I have 1 DS (3) and 1 DS on the way (26+3). DS1 is not biologically DP's however he's raised him as his own since he was around 1 (his bio dad isn't allowed contact)

I should really write a will, however being 22 I don't think about these things but I want to ensure that;

A - Both DS's stay together
B - They stay with DP
C - My Dsis & her DH have and maintain the regular contactact they do now (so most likely 1-2 nights a month sleeping at her house, daily updates and facetiming every other day)
D - My DM, DBro & DS's 'dad' are not to have any contact with them.

Can I write my own will to state this? Or do you have to pay for a will to be written up, I've seen them in ASDA/Post Office ect.

I would Also like my DP to have PR over my DS1 how can I ensure this happens? We're not married but he's been a massive part in my DS's life

Thanks

OP posts:
TarquinMoriartyGruntfuttockII · 19/03/2015 07:27

I would message Mumblechum and ask her if she would be kind enough to look at your thread.

Lunastarfish · 19/03/2015 07:45

Please see a solicitor. Don't buy a will kit from asda. I'm a solicitor but I don't practice wills and probate. Never in a million years would I wrote my own will - I saw a solicitor to draft it for me.

FireflyLight · 19/03/2015 08:08

With the PR issue it might be a bit difficult. I think you have to ask your ex to agree to give your new partner PR of your son together before you can go ahead and do it. If he doesn't agree I think you then have to petition the court.

HellKitty · 19/03/2015 08:15

Because your will sounds involved and somewhat complicated I'd definitely go and see a solicitor about it. We actually have an appointment to draw one up tonight with our solicitor. I also have DCs but not with DP, I assume that because my eldest will be 18 this year then mine will be a bit more straight forward than yours.

babybarrister · 19/03/2015 09:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WrappedInABlankie · 19/03/2015 09:55

Okay looks like we'll be heading to a solicitor lol!

My ex definitely won't allow my DP to have PR despite being the only father figure he's known. Can he be appointed PR if we go to court even though we're not married? We're not planning on getting married for some time but i hate the idea that they could take DS away from his brother and the only dad he has known

OP posts:
babybarrister · 19/03/2015 13:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BabyGanoush · 19/03/2015 13:44

this sort of stuff is not covered in a will from Asda.

We did ours at solicitor. including where the kids should go if we die.

It was 200 in total. Gives peace of mind it is done properly.

WrappedInABlankie · 19/03/2015 13:46

Do I just ask for DP to be guardian when I go for the will?

As long as they're placed with DP or my Dsis and her DH that's okay by me. He's not had any contact for over a year now and DS doesn't know his dad so I'm hoping if I die they don't split them up.

DS's dad can't ask for Ds2 can he if he's not his?

OP posts:
WrappedInABlankie · 19/03/2015 13:47

BabyGanoush

Was that for you and your DP's will?

OP posts:
Mumblechum1 · 19/03/2015 16:33

Hi OP

Flowers to everyone who's recommended me - very kind!

OP, I'll C&P your post and answer as follows:

I have 1 DS (3) and 1 DS on the way (26+3). DS1 is not biologically DP's however he's raised him as his own since he was around 1 (his bio dad isn't allowed contact) OK, I presume that your ex doesn't have PR as he isn't on the birth certificate? Even if he does have PR it would be sensible to appoint your DP as a guardian in your will. The appointment would not negate your ex's PR if he has it but in practice, if there was a dispute about where your DS1 would live, the court would have to make a decision based on DS1s welfare which would include his emotional, physical, educational and social needs. If you were to die when DS1 is 10, for example and he had no contact with his father for all of that time it's pretty much inconceivable that the court would order that he went to live with his dad.

I should really write a will, however being 22 I don't think about these things but I want to ensure that;
A - Both DS's stay together
B - They stay with DP
C - My Dsis & her DH have and maintain the regular contactact they do now (so most likely 1-2 nights a month sleeping at her house, daily updates and facetiming every other day)
D - My DM, DBro & DS's 'dad' are not to have any contact with them
.

Understood. By appointing your DP as a guardian of DS1, this would be a clear message in any future court proceedings that your view is that your DS1 would be better off staying with his stepdad and half sibling. I suggest that you mention contact with extended family in the will (I normally say "I wish the guardian to encourage and facilitate as much direct and indirect contact with xyz as can reasonably be arranged". Don't be so prescriptive about updates and facetiming though. The reasons for your not wanting DS1 to live with his dad should be written in a separate letter and updated regularly. The guardian can then, if necessary, produce that letter. You shouldn't put anything controversial in the will itself, it will one day be a public document

Can I write my own will to state this? Or do you have to pay for a will to be written up, I've seen them in ASDA/Post Office ect.

Well as I will writer I would obviously tell you to get it done properly! When I speak to clients I get a full indepth understanding of all of their circumstances and tailor make their wills to suit them individually. No off the shelf will is going to do that.

I would Also like my DP to have PR over my DS1 how can I ensure this happens? We're not married but he's been a massive part in my DS's life
You should marry him. You can then (if your ex doesn't have PR) make a PR agreement very quickly and easily. If your ex does have PR he'd have to consent.

Hope that helps!

HellKitty · 20/03/2015 07:24

Mumblechum, I'm in awe!

Mine said yesterday that me and DP should be tenants in common (?) rather than joint. Therefore my half of the house goes to the DCs - to ensure they have a roof over their heads should DP decide to move on quick. That put DP in a right huff and he spent most of the evening telling me that if I get hit by a bus (apparently the only way to die) then he'd be too distraught to move on. I tried reassuring him that he'll die first Grin

We were also told that marriage makes the will void and we'd have to come in and 'ressurect (?)' this will so it stands then.

It was hugely complicated and I'm glad we didn't do an asda one!

Mumblechum1 · 21/03/2015 11:05

hellokitty
Yes tenancy in common (plus a life interest trust) would rinfence your respective shares for the children whilst allowing the survivor to live in the property undisturbed until their death or remarriage. There's an article on my website(sorry on phone so can't link)
I would have put a "contemplation of marriage" clause in to prevent auto revocation

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