Read what MNers thought about Beyond’s online will writing service

[AbbiCMumsnet]

This activity has now closed

This is the feedback thread for the users that tested out Beyond’s online will writing service.
This was open to MNers with at least one child who live in England or Wales.

Here’s what Beyond have to say:
“Without a will, the state determines what happens with your kids and assets, whether you’re married or not. So, a will is vital for parents, and Beyond make it simple and affordable to get it sorted online. In 15 minutes, you can protect your family with a legally-binding will - without ever having to leave the house. It’s perfect for busy mums and dads. Trusted by 1,000s of UK parents, Beyond’s easily updateable online will service lets you protect your family, choose guardians for children and pets and leave personal messages for your loved ones.”

Testers please answer the following questions:

• Did you and your family find Beyond's online will writing service easy to use?
• Do you feel that it has helped your peace of mind?
• Is it reassuring to know you can easily update it any time in the future?
• How do you rate the value for money of the will writing service?
• Would you recommend Beyond’s will-writing service to other families?

Selected testers will be required to leave their feedback on a thread on Mumsnet and fill in a short survey. Everyone who leaves the required feedback will be entered into a prize draw where 3 x MNers will win a £100 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw.
MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

[RandomWok]

• Did you and your family find Beyond's online will writing service easy to use?

Yes very simple to use.

• Do you feel that it has helped your peace of mind?

Absolutely! I have been meaning to sort my will out. It has been playing in my mind as I own property and have two children.

• Is it reassuring to know you can easily update it any time in the future?

Yes! Unfortunately circumstances change. Knowing that it is simple to update is very reassuring.

• How do you rate the value for money of the will writing service?

Great value for a simple will. As my circumstances mean I would leave everything to my children it was perfect for me.

• Would you recommend Beyond’s will-writing service to other families?

Yes! If you have nothing in place it is a good place to start!

[RedKites]

• Did you and your family find Beyond's online will writing service easy to use?
  

It is all pretty simple, although I would have liked the option to fill in the sections in whatever order I wanted. Also in places it felt like a little bit more complexity might have been useful.

• Do you feel that it has helped your peace of mind?
  

Having a will is definitely better than not having a will so that is good.

• Is it reassuring to know you can easily update it any time in the future?
  

I guess so, although having to pay £20 because someone has moved house feels expensive. I could imagine it would be much worse at a solicitor's however.

• How do you rate the value for money of the will writing service?
  

Much cheaper than a solicitor, but more expensive than just buying a DIY kit. I guess in terms of level of customisation/ease it falls between the two so probably about right?

• Would you recommend Beyond’s will-writing service to other families?
  

In terms of getting a simple will written it's much better than not having one. However if someone was planning to go to a solicitor (and was actually going to) I am not sure I would recommend this instead.

[starlight36]

Did you and your family find Beyond's online will writing service easy to use?
Yes the service is incredibly easy to use. The questions are clearly explained and the options easy to fill in. We had one technical problem where we had left an optional field empty and it was auto-filled but we contacted the live chat team and they are looking into a fix.

• Do you feel that it has helped your peace of mind?

Yes it has definitely helped my peace of mind that a will is in place. It was something we had talked about doing for a long time and had not had the time to do so properly. We had also procrastinated about who we would name as guardians and taking part in the product test forced us to make this necessary decision. The service covers the straightforward requirements of setting up a will but it did not seem easy to adapt this if you have different circumstances. We have the complication of an existing trust which we manage on behalf of our children and it wasn't obvious how we would include details of handling that in the event that both my husband and I died.

• Is it reassuring to know you can easily update it any time in the future?

It is reassuring that we can update it any time.

• How do you rate the value for money of the will writing service?

The service is competitively priced for setting up the will. The ongoing £20 may not be quite so competitive if you don't require many changes.

• Would you recommend Beyond’s will-writing service to other families?

Yes I would recommend the service for other families who have straightforward wills to set up and who have been procrastinating about starting the process.

[Rockbird]

Did you and your family find Beyond's online will writing service easy to use?
Yes, very easy to use once I'd got my head round making a will in the first place, something that I've put off for years.

Do you feel that it has helped your peace of mind?
Yes, it had always been niggling at me that we have two children and no will in place. I feel much better now.

Is it reassuring to know you can easily update it any time in the future?
Yes definitely. Although I found it easy to use, I still feel we could have gone into more detail given more time. Totally our fault, we haven't had time to bless ourselves recently so we did it in a rush.

How do you rate the value for money of the will writing service?
Given that I didn't pay for it, it was fantastic value for money. I do think the actual price was good for the service though.

Would you recommend Beyond’s will-writing service to other families?
Yes definitely. It took a lot of the stress out of a not very nice task. Thank you for letting me test it.

[madmumm]

• Did you and your family find Beyond's online will writing service easy to use?

It was incredibly easy to complete on our phones, it almost felt too easy though!

• Do you feel that it has helped your peace of mind?

Yes definitely, although I'd worry that the company would go out of business and we'd be unable to update it.

• Is it reassuring to know you can easily update it any time in the future?

Definitely very attractive for a reasonable annual fee.

• How do you rate the value for money of the will writing service?

It states that it would be checked by solicitors, although I haven't seen any evidence of this, but presumably I'd hear from Beyond if there were any problems.

• Would you recommend Beyond’s will-writing service to other families?

Yes, it's so simple to do and good value with the discount codes.

[paddler78]

@AbbiCMumsnet Have just completed but was under the impression we could do a joint one for me and my husband - do we just use the same code for both of us?

[Osquito]

It was incredibly easy to do! I actually paused doing it - and didn’t realise I was so close to completing it, it was that simple.
Having a will has always been niggling me in the back of my mind. The relief I feel about this issue cannot be understated. I still can’t get over how quick it was to do!
I’m happy to hear it’ll be easy to update, rather than try make a new will.
For the price (especially when compared to what I have read for will-writing services) and the ease of doing it, all to get something legal... extremely good value.
I am recommending it to my relatives with children, and my partner.

Thank you so much for allowing me to try it out!

[paddler78]

Ignore me I've worked it out - should have followed process right to the end

[becsxxx]

• Did you and your family find Beyond's online will writing service easy to use?

Yes, the service itself was easy once I go into the right frame of mind in terms of how it should work.

• Do you feel that it has helped your peace of mind?

Yes, my husband and I feel really pleased to have made decisions (particularly regarding guardianship of the children) and to have this sorted.

• Is it reassuring to know you can easily update it any time in the future?

Very much so as when discussing guardians we realised this would need changing in the future as situations change.

• How do you rate the value for money of the will writing service?

Excellent - much cheaper than I imagined it would be.

• Would you recommend Beyond’s will-writing service to other families?

Yes, but only for relatively simple cases - ie all assets being split. I'm not sure it would be sufficient for very complex bequests.

[bracken101]

Did you and your family find Beyond's online will writing service easy to use?

it was so easy to do, I knew what I wanted and I completed the whole thing in less than half a hour

• Do you feel that it has helped your peace of mind?
  

*yes, I had been putting it off for ages because I didn’t know how expensive it would be to sort out, it’s a relief it’s done.
*

• Is it reassuring to know you can easily update it any time in the future?
  

very reassuring

• How do you rate the value for money of the will writing service?
  
• Would you recommend Beyond’s will-writing service to other families

[bracken101]

oops I pressed post too early!

How do you rate the value for money of the will writing service?

I would be happy to pay in that ball park for the convenience of doing it online.

• Would you recommend Beyond’s will-writing service to other families
  

yes, absolutely

[Amaksy]

Thanks for the opportunity to test this service. I always thought of will writing as a dire task, one that I have managed to put off for so long.

• Did you and your family find Beyond's online will writing service easy to use? Yes, it was simple to fill out and allocate and to think about and include details too.
  

• Do you feel that it has helped your peace of mind? Yes, I'm rest assured that things will be executed according to my wish in my demise.
  

• Is it reassuring to know you can easily update it any time in the future? Very reassuring as an account has been set up.
  

• How do you rate the value for money of the will writing service? Great value for money as the deal of £90 or free in my case but really handy as can't put a value on peace of mind.
  

• Would you recommend Beyond’s will-writing service to other families? Yes I will, easy to use and convenient too from your home.

[OverInfestedBadger]

Did you and your family find Beyond's online will writing service easy to use?

It was very easy, and walked me though all the steps to form a basic will.

• Do you feel that it has helped your peace of mind?
  

It’s great to know that the niggling feeling in the back of my mind, of not having a will, is now addressed.

• Is it reassuring to know you can easily update it any time in the future?
  

Yes

• How do you rate the value for money of the will writing service?
  

I’m not sure, but £90 seems very reasonable to be walked through the process.

• Would you recommend Beyond’s will-writing service to other families?
  

Yes I would.

[BollockyBagels]

Did you and your family find Beyond's online will writing service easy to use? It couldn't have been easier! I've been putting off sorting it out for ages but this service was brilliant.

• Do you feel that it has helped your peace of mind? Absolutely yes.

• Is it reassuring to know you can easily update it any time in the future? Yes.

• How do you rate the value for money of the will writing service? Really competitive. Plus you don't have the hassle of keeping an appointment and traipsing around.

• Would you recommend Beyond’s will-writing service to other families? Yes, especially for those with very young children.

[rachaelsit]

• Did you and your family find Beyond's online will writing service easy to use?
  

Yes, even on a phone or tablet which is convenient.

• Do you feel that it has helped your peace of mind?
  

For sure!

• Is it reassuring to know you can easily update it any time in the future?
  

Yes! I didn’t enjoy thinking about that stuff I can see why people put it off.

• How do you rate the value for money of the will writing service?
  

I think they joint will is excellent value.

• Would you recommend Beyond’s will-writing service to other families?
  

Yes I would do

[nunnun]

Every time I see the title of this thread I read it as "Beyonce's Online Will Writing Service"!

[paddler78]

Did you and your family find Beyond's online will writing service easy to use?

Yes very easy and straght forward, questions are easy to understand and it really does only take about 20mins.

Do you feel that it has helped your peace of mind?

Yes although as some previous posters have said it almost feels too easy and you may have missed something but I guess the only way you'll know is when it's too late to do anything about it.

Is it reassuring to know you can easily update it any time in the future?

Yes the £20 a year seems a good idea for this although it wasn't clear if this was per will in the case of a joint one.

How do you rate the value for money of the will writing service?

I've not looked at other online provider but it seems reasonable.

Would you recommend Beyond’s will-writing service to other families?

Yes

[AbbiCMumsnet]

Hi @paddler78, yes, your code should work for both of you.

[TwelveThirtyTwo]

Did you and your family find Beyond's online will writing service easy to use?

Incredibly easy, everything is set out for you. I would say it’s pretty foolproof.

• Do you feel that it has helped your peace of mind?
  

Yes I’m a single parent and foster carer so felt like it might be complicated and expensive as I want my son and foster son to both inherit.
So I had put it off for a long time

• Is it reassuring to know you can easily update it any time in the future?
  

Yes as I may want to add other foster children who I haven’t met yet.

• How do you rate the value for money of the will writing service?
  

Excellent, I have friends who have paid a lot more and have to pay a lot to alter it as well.

• Would you recommend Beyond’s will-writing service to other families?
  

I already have done. I’m very impressed.

[AbbiCMumsnet]

Thanks for all your feedback so far! Beyond want the opportunity to thank you all for taking part and respond to a user.

"Hi there - Beyond here. Thanks to everyone for taking the time to test our service - we really value and appreciate your feedback, and the insight you have provided has been incredibly helpful.

@EagleVisionSquirrelWork - thanks for your comment.

My name is James Dunn and, hopefully, I can clear up the issues and concerns that you’ve raised. I’m one of the directors you mentioned who are listed on Companies House and one of the ‘chirpy thirty-something’s in the photo on our About Us page.

Beyond began life as Funeralbooker in 2015. At the time, we were solely a funeral price comparison website. Our aim was (and still is) to make ‘after life’ services fairer by helping families find the most affordable service near them.

You can read about some of our work and achievements on this front in the Express, the Mail, and The Times. We also assisted the Competition and Markets Authority during their funeral market investigation, which you can see here.

In 2017, we started to think about new ways we could help families cope with issues around the end of a life: not just funerals, but also the legal side of things. So, we created our probate offering and developed our affordable online will service. Since launch, we have helped tens of thousands of people write a will and enabled many million pounds worth of legacy gifts to charity.

To reflect the wider range of services we were offering, we decided to rebrand as Beyond.

We now operate solely under that name. This rebrand was covered widely, and you can see some examples of this coverage here and here.

The information on the About Us page matches the information within our terms, which matches the information on Companies House. Additionally, you can view our FCA authorisation here, which also confirms these details. I hope this assures you who we are.

One of the other directors listed on Companies House is Ian Strang, who is our CEO. Unfortunately, he’s no longer a thirty-something, but still chirpy. The other two directors listed on Companies House are non-operational directors, representing two of our investors.

I am unsure what the other business is that you refer to (the one named Beyond and based in Manchester). However, I can confirm that it is in no way connected to us.

Now, you are correct in that there is rife abuse of “automatic” executorships in the will-writing industry. At Beyond, we do not automatically add ourselves as executors on any wills.

For us to act as executor, the customer has to actively choose that option when using our will service and as a customer-centric company, we provide clear and fair terms for this service, visible online here.

I really do hope this helps clear up the concerns you had. I would be more than happy to speak further.

Best

James

[EagleVisionSquirrelWork]

Hi James

Thank you for taking the time to respond on the thread. Can you clarify a couple more things, please?

You said that you don't automatically add yourselves as executors. Can you confirm whether or not Beyond has ever done this?

Is Beyond a member of either the Institute of Professional Willwriters or the Society of Will Writers?

And finally, I wondered what safety net is in place for anyone who finds that their will isn't up to the task (or, more likely, whose survivors do). If you're not connected with the law firm Beyond (co. number 10817208), then who does the legal checking that each will is meant to undergo? The solicitor listed as one of your company officers (Lomax Ward) is recorded by the Law Society as non-practising (and as working for a private investment company), so do you employ other solicitors or legal professionals? Do you have professional indemnity insurance in the event of a problem with a will drafted via the site? Is Beyond's work overseen by the Legal Ombudsman (i.e. are you a regulated legal service provider) as well as by the FCA?

I think that all of this information needs to be on your website if you want to be seen as professional and reputable. When you consider the seriousness of the matter at hand, and the sensitivity of the data you're handling, it follows that customers need transparency and some evidence that they're placing their affairs in a safe pair of hands, particularly when, as we're seeing here, your service seems aimed at people who are too busy to give the process much thought.

[Rockyolive]

• Did you and your family find Beyond's online will writing service easy to use?

It was very easy and quick.

• Do you feel that it has helped your peace of mind?

Definitely, I know that we needed to sort out a will but we could never find a suitable time to make an appointment. This we could do at a time to suit us (about midnight!)

• Is it reassuring to know you can easily update it any time in the future?

Yes, and it sounds like it won't be difficult to make amendments.

• How do you rate the value for money of the will writing service?

I think it is really good value for money.

• Would you recommend Beyond’s will-writing service to other families?

Yes, I would have no hesitation in recommending.

[Bouncylion]

Did you and your family find Beyond's online will writing service easy to use?

Yes, extremely easy!

• Do you feel that it has helped your peace of mind?
  

Yes. It’s been something that I’ve been meaning to do for a long time but have never been able to make the time to get it done

• Is it reassuring to know you can easily update it any time in the future?
  

Yes, that’s a really handy feature

• How do you rate the value for money of the will writing service?
  

Extremely good value

• Would you recommend Beyond’s will-writing service to other families?
  

Yes 100%

[Whoopstheregomyinsides]

Did you and your family find Beyond's online will writing service easy to use?

It was so easy! I managed to complete it on my phone tooin between chasing round an very active almost 1 year old!.

Do you feel that it has helped your peace of mind?

Certainly. Just need to sort husbands but out.

Is it reassuring to know you can easily update it any time in the future?

Yes! Paying £20 a year for unlimited updates is amazing considering the cost you'd incur doing it through a solicitors, even when you factor in you probably won't need to change it every year.

How do you rate the value for money of the will writing service?

Worth it for the ease alone.

Would you recommend Beyond’s will-writing service to other families?

Definitely! If you cant find time to go sit in a solicitors office, then this is for you. If you want to sit in the comfort of your own home, then do it !

[wineisgood]

• Did you and your family find Beyond's online will writing service easy to use?
  

Yes, smooth site

• Do you feel that it has helped your peace of mind?
  

Yes, I feel a bit better that something is in place

• Is it reassuring to know you can easily update it any time in the future?
  

Yes.

• How do you rate the value for money of the will writing service?
  

Reasonable.

• Would you recommend Beyond’s will-writing service to other families?
  

Yes I would, for non complex wills.