Is this a crazily expensive will quote?

[NelferchyLlyn]

I have had an initial discussion to make a will and thought the quote was really high! However, I have no idea if this is actually ok or not.

Quote is for:
Myself and my sister.
Usual estate to go to both our respective children with spouses allowed to live in property until they die.

We also co-own a property abroad (France). We would like our halves of this property to go to each other if we die.

Solicitor advices 2 wills each, one for UK estate and the other for French estate (which will be sent to french notaire on our death).

Quote has come through at £6500 in total.

Is this amount usual? I really wasnt expecting this high cost....

There is a poster on Mumsnet who writes wills
https://www.marlowwills.co.uk/
I have not used her service, but may be useful if you are looking at quotes/costs.

IANAL but I didn't think French inheritance laws allowed you to leave property that way?

Have you tried just getting a quote for your UK affairs? And appointing separately in France to ensure you're getting accurate French advice?

I wouldn't want a UK solicitor advising me on matters relating to another jurisdiction unless they were part of a global firm and had a French counterpart advising on that side. The latter would result in excessive fees though.

This

It seems very expensive to me, but perhaps it's the French wills that make it so?

I have spoken to my notaire in France but they advised that an UK will , will be binding in France (as long as its officially translated)

This
I’m almost 100% sure French law doesn’t work this way. My parents have a house in France and they are going to sell it soon as French law means you pass down to all of your children equally. Not exactly sure what the law is but I know that there are a lot of empty houses in France because the children can’t agree what to do. My parents are going to sell so we don’t have to worry about this when they die. I really think you need to get more French legal advice.
edit grammar

This is the case if property owners die without a will. Hence, we are getting ours sorted.

Just do your French wills in France

We paid £500 at a law firm. your quote is madness!

Needing a will to cover property in France means you need a lawyer who is knowledgable about French laws etc. That is probably why it is expensive.
Also the one man band will be cheaper than one with several offices and they will be cheaper than regional companies and in London - well say no more.

I think that’s fair enough.

it’s going to involve a lot more work because of the French estate, and because you’re siblings.

My dw and myself had correct solicitor wills for FREE by going through a charity who ptovided the service for a small donation on our 2nd death.
Many charities offer this and even advertise it on T.V
⁹

They're not straightforward wills if your spouses are allowed to remain in the property until they die - that requires a trust agreement etc. Or local solicitor would charge £2k + for you, and for your sister, plus £? for the French estate. So your quote seems quite reasonable

I was quoted £45.00 per person and haven't done it yet

Yes, a simple UK will, is more straightforward. Its the french estate that is adding the layer of complexity

Possibly worth exploring on moneysaving site @NelferchyLlyn

It’s the French bit that’s going to cause complexity. France is a bit of a nightmare because of eu succession elections, forced heirship etc. Getting the French bit wrong could create £££ tax bills so it’s worth paying to get it right. I think the fees look about right. What types of firms are you speaking to?

This - someone specialising in French law also needs to be involved in writing the will so your quote covers multiple (two?) solicitors working on your will.

Seems very high.

Chat GPT:-

If it’s a holiday home in France, and the rest of your assets are in the UK, a typical cost would be:

• £500–£1,000 + VAT for a UK solicitor who has experience with cross-border estates.
• If they recommend a separate French will (which is common for holiday homes), expect to pay an additional €300–€800 to a French notaire.

Many people with a French holiday home choose to have:

• a UK will covering their UK assets, and
• a French will dealing only with the French property.

The two wills are drafted so they don’t revoke each other, which can help simplify the administration of the estate in each country. If your estate is otherwise straightforward (for example, you’re leaving everything to your spouse or children), the overall cost for both wills is often in the region of £900–£1,800 in total, depending on the professionals you use. If you’re in the UK, I can also suggest firms that regularly handle UK–France wills and estates, including firms that offer fixed-fee services.