Huge difference in charges for wills..??

[belfastlass]

Hello,

I was thinking of getting a will and also possibly a living will, so i
I emailed all the solicitors in my town (about 30 odd) and I'm quite surprised at the huge discrepancy for what basically about to printing and signing a piece of paper.

The lowest quote was £79 for a simple will, the highest £750!! The former was from what appears to be a freelance will-writer, whereas the latter was with with a big well-known legal firm.

Anyone know what the standard rate should be? I want to make sure it's being done properly but I don't want to get ripped off in the process.

best,
Beth

I'd go to a solicitor but no need for a big firm/big firm prices for most wills. I'd personally not use a will writer. It's important that you get it right

Definitely use a solicitor in an established firm (doesn't have to be a big firm but choose one which has been around a while). Go for a STEP member if you can. Remember it's a very important legal document and often you get what you pay for.

Drafting a Will is a bit more than ‘just printing off a piece of paper’ from the drafters point of view 🤨

You’re not just paying for someone to print and sign a piece of paper, if you feel that way about it, get a pack from WH Smith’s and write it yourself.

When you use a solicitors (although £750 seems excessive), you’re paying for their training and knowledge. You’ll be using somebody who knows the law thoroughly and will advise you accordingly, able to answer all of your questions and give you the best possible advice.

As PP have said, search on the STEP (Society for Trust & Estate Practitioners) website to find a local firm to instruct, but expect to pay at least £200 for a simple straightforward Will, or, if you are so keen to keep costs minimal, either wait and make a Will under the Will Aid scheme later in the year, or leave a percentage of your estate to a charity that offers free Wills such as Guide Dogs for The Blind.

printing and signing a piece of paper

Why don’t you just DIY then?

I don’t think a solicitors is necessary but a professionally drafted will
IS worth spending some ££ on IMO, they will ensure your will is legally written and ask questions you might not have thought of.

I’d go for local recommendation and that may cost around £250 for a single will.

We had our wills arranged through https://www.marlowwills.co.uk I'm afraid I don't remember the actual cost but it was in the lower middle of the range you give

I heard about them on MN and am happy to pass on the tip. Very easy to deal with and great customer service

@mumblechum0

Thanks FinallyHere!

Not touting for business (I have a lot on at the moment), but by way of a yardstick, I charge £220 for a single, standard will, and £330 for a pair of mirrors.

I'm a member of the Institute of Professional Will Writers, rated No1 in the UK on FreeIndex, and have been practising for 12 years as a limited co after 25 years in high street solicitors practices.

You do need to be careful about some will writing companies, there are some cowboys out there who frankly give poor service and charge an arm and a leg.

@mumblechum0 - I'm looking to draw up a will. I can't get your website to load. Can you share an email?

@user1477249785 sorry I'll take a look.email is [email protected]

Mine was £450 but it was from a firm of solicitors that dealt with my divorce and I didn’t know him. He took weeks and I got it and was a bit worried as several key things werent written as I had expected. I recently met and became good friends with a woman and her husband was a solicitor and I asked him to have a look as I didn’t want my parents or ex challenging what I and my guardians appointments etc . He did for free and was pretty horrified. Lots of things I had asked weren’t tight enough so he rewrote it for free for me and wrote to my original solicitor.

Go by a good recommendation try if you can to plan to events that you haven’t thought of - if I die my entire estate goes in trust and with two very very trusted friends to be split equally and used for education travelling or a house deposit etc its very clear. If the eldest is 18 she can opt to be guardian of the youngest or leave guardianship with the appointed guardians etc and if something that happened to her etc …. It’s not nice to think about if one of my children dies with me or if they have children but they die etc

So I hope it will grow and evolve for all situations and when they reach 18 I will redo but take out all the childhood guardian clauses etc

thanks guys, I'll take these comments on board.

Another vote for Marlow Wills!

Also think if you need to set up Powers of Attorney.

@RamblinRosie Thanks!