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Original poster

Wills - who did you use?

40 replies

solice84 · 14/09/2024 07:03

How did you decide which company to draw up your will ?
Feeling a bit overwhelmed
Did you go with one of the big franchises or a local solicitor?
Any to avoid ?

OP posts:
bruffin · 14/09/2024 07:06

DH had a special offer at work for a will writing company, very simple mirror will was all that we wanted.
i would avoid using a solicitor as an executor though unless it is very complicated will.

DreamW3aver · 14/09/2024 07:09

I didnt know there were will writing companies, I used a small local practice that specialises in wills. If you'd asked me I'd have said that most people would look at similar, unless you're very wealthy or have complicated circumstances writing a will is very straight forwatd, you can do it yourself, so I don't imagine any qualified solicitor wouldn't make a good job for it

Original poster
solice84 · 14/09/2024 07:12

I suppose my circumstances aren't straight forward actually .
I'm a single parent to a four year old
Right now I'd leave about £300k

OP posts:
MinnieMountain · 14/09/2024 07:15

Use a local solicitor that does everything. No need for a specialist. I’m a solicitor but wasn’t working when we did ours- I just found a firm close to DH’s office.

Mindymomo · 14/09/2024 07:17

We’ve done our wills with ten minute will.co.uk it was quite simple as we only have house and savings to leave 50/50 to our 2 sons. You fill it in online, then it gets check and any pointers or queries are raised by them and then you get it to print out and for you to get it signed and witnessed. They also offer Power of Attorney forms.

Elsewhere123 · 14/09/2024 07:20

Use trust pilot to check firms out.

Bogeyes · 14/09/2024 07:21

Keep well away from a deed of trust.

Mindymomo · 14/09/2024 07:21

solice84 · 14/09/2024 07:12

I suppose my circumstances aren't straight forward actually .
I'm a single parent to a four year old
Right now I'd leave about £300k

Just seen your last post, when our DC were young, in our Wills we put who, in the event of death would be Guardians to DC, which in our case was our parents and that any moneys from our Estate would be held in Trust until DC were 21.

DreamW3aver · 14/09/2024 07:22

solice84 · 14/09/2024 07:12

I suppose my circumstances aren't straight forward actually .
I'm a single parent to a four year old
Right now I'd leave about £300k

Is it the arrangements for who would bring up your child that are complicated? The will sounds simple, wouldn't you leave everything to your child with appropriate arrangements if he/she was under 18?

Scooby2024 · 14/09/2024 07:24

We used farewill. It was recommended by Martin Lewis. It was easy to follow and Wasn't mega expensive and we mirrored them. Could put who we wanted DS to go to etc. will likely redo in 5-10 years but we wanted something in place as not married yet.

GingerLiberalFeminist · 14/09/2024 07:25

Please use a solicitor! My in laws used a pack from a high street to do theirs 15 years ago and we checked recently and the wills arent valid! I work in law and was grateful we'd had the foresight to check.

DreamW3aver · 14/09/2024 07:26

Elsewhere123 · 14/09/2024 07:20

Use trust pilot to check firms out.

I agree with that for large consumer purchases but it wouldn't even occur to me to rate a firm of solicitors, The service I had was absolutely fine and I'd happily recommend then by word of mouth, I'd be very surprised if they are on trustpilot
The absence of reviews doesn't mean anything

Original poster
solice84 · 14/09/2024 07:26

My child would automatically go to my exh I would imagine.
In the event exh also died I really have no one else I could nominate . I have no siblings.

OP posts:
OdeToBarney · 14/09/2024 07:26

Bogeyes · 14/09/2024 07:21

Keep well away from a deed of trust.

Why? She has a child under 18, there will need to be some kind of trust (probably an 18-25 trust).

Scandiviews1 · 14/09/2024 07:30

solice84 · 14/09/2024 07:26

My child would automatically go to my exh I would imagine.
In the event exh also died I really have no one else I could nominate . I have no siblings.

A child's parent would automatically have parental responsibility. If you had anyone to nominate in your Will as guardian if your ex husband predeceased you(so no one with parental responsibility) it would be better than the courts and social services deciding your child's legal guardian. Even a good friend?

Don't use the will packs. It's too important to get wrong and it's often the signing part that people mess up but don't realise (until it's too late obviously!).

TylerEndicott · 14/09/2024 07:44

There's a mumsnetter who does wills, she's highly recommended, Marlow Wills

filka · 14/09/2024 08:01

TylerEndicott · 14/09/2024 07:44

There's a mumsnetter who does wills, she's highly recommended, Marlow Wills

Edited

I went there and was very happy with the service. Did my LPAs too.

HotAsSatansBalls · 14/09/2024 08:02

Please go to a solicitor who is an expert in wills, tax and trusts, whose firm is listed in the Legal 500. https://www.legal500.com/ - This site contains useful information on the top-ranking firms in the UK, and solicitors who practise in specific areas, along with genuine references from clients (individual, professional and commercial clients) rather than dodgy reviews on Trustpilot.

L500 | Legal 500 – The Clients Guide to the best Law firms, top Lawyers, Attorneys, Advocates, Solicitors and Barristers.

Benchmarking law firm excellence since 1987

https://www.legal500.com

Chasingsquirrels · 14/09/2024 08:16

TylerEndicott · 14/09/2024 07:44

There's a mumsnetter who does wills, she's highly recommended, Marlow Wills

Edited

I used Marlow Wills as well.

ShamedBySiri · 14/09/2024 08:39

solice84 · 14/09/2024 07:26

My child would automatically go to my exh I would imagine.
In the event exh also died I really have no one else I could nominate . I have no siblings.

Not to be gloomy but my area of work means I see many cancer patients. The increase in younger people being diagnosed with cancer is noticeable to me on a daily basis.
Only this week we have been saddened by the death of one of our regular patients, a beautiful young mother with primary school aged children. I can think of a few single mothers who have had to confront arrangements for their children after they have gone.

It is definitely something parents should think about.

BiscuitlyBoyle · 14/09/2024 09:05

solice84 · 14/09/2024 07:26

My child would automatically go to my exh I would imagine.
In the event exh also died I really have no one else I could nominate . I have no siblings.

I’ve had two friends in the past who have nominated me and my DH to have their children in the event of their death. I was extremely honoured.
I’m also in another friend’s will to have her cats.

Original poster
solice84 · 14/09/2024 09:07

Exh has a much bigger family than me
Other than my aging father and 93 yo gm I have no one
I have friends who wouldn't want to be guardians and that's fair enough .

OP posts:
Flossiecotton · 14/09/2024 09:18

I second using the MNetrer Marlow Wills. Every thing was done on the phone and explained really thoroughly.

nosalt · 14/09/2024 14:11

Do not accept advice from living persons, they are in no position to make a judgement about their will. Their experience only extends to the sales experience. Ask executors.

DreamW3aver · 14/09/2024 14:55

nosalt · 14/09/2024 14:11

Do not accept advice from living persons, they are in no position to make a judgement about their will. Their experience only extends to the sales experience. Ask executors.

Im sure sure any one will get very far if they can't ask for advice from the living 😂