Is my will “simple”?

[shuffleofftobuffalo]

I can access a free will writing service but I’m not sure if my will is considered simple or not - the service is only for a basic will and anything else would be charged accordingly, so I’m trying to work out if it’s the right service for me (it seem they won’t tell me until I’m in too deep and would have to pay!)

Basically my only beneficiary is my 14 yr old. I’m a single parent (unmarried) so I have a (very) trusted friend lined up to look after things for her financially until she is 18. Assets are a property owned outright, cash savings, death in service benefits, pension lump sums due if I die before retirement. She is named as my beneficiary on the pensions/death in service.

I need to make sure her father isn’t involved in her money should I die before she is 18 as I know she won’t see a penny of it if he is.

Are you over assets of £500k including your pension pot? Pensions are coming into your estate from next April

Whether or not there is in inheritance tax to pay doesn’t impact the complexity of the will.

But I would imagine that a free will writing service will argue any sort of deviance from the most straightforward will is not simple and charge accordingly. As you want to set up a trust for a minor in your will, I’d expect they’ll say that isn’t simple and there is a charge.

(simple being it all goes to spouse or adult child outright).

Your will is a simple will however a will writing service will charge you extra for a trust for DD for if you pass away before she turns 18 and you want to leave someone in charge of the money. You’ll end up paying a few hundred for it

Thank you - just what I needed to know. I think I’ll get a recommendation from a friend/family rather than using the free service.

I agree: the creation of a trust for an U-18 year old (because U 18s cannot own property) makes it more complicated.

Also you need to include your wishes should tragedy take your Dd first, or you both together. Where would you like your estate to go in that event?

I assume you are not (still) married to her father, he has no dependence on you, etc?

All of that including leaving everything in trust and alternative arrangements should the original beneficiaries be unable to inherit were included in a free will a family member had drawn up recently. It also included a specific clause preventing ex-spouse from accessing any of the children’s inheritance. But I guess different providers will price differently, I would look around and use somewhere more transparent with what is and isn’t included.

Be aware that if DD died after you died her father would inherit everything so I’d recommend DD making a will too.

And you also need to consider what would happen if both you and DD died at the same time eg car crash. Where would the money go then?

I don't think that's possible until she's 18, is it? The wording of the trust would presumably ensure that if the OP's daughter (god forbid) doesn't make it to 18 there would be another beneficiary/beneficiaries named in her place.

Even more reason to see a solicitor then

My understanding is trust are complicated may not be advised ( solicitors told us not to do one can't remember details)
Need a person who will have guardianship and it was recommended a different person who has control of assets. So the person minding the child doesn't also decide how their money is spent. Also for example they would be permitted to sell house on behalf of child as they may be living with guardian now.
I've very little legal language but this is what I have from memory speaking about will 10+ years ago in Ireland.