Solicitors are expensive. In every walk of life, this is a known quantity, and the idea of paying so much to write something you could write yourself is enough to put anyone off. It’s understandable to want to write your own will, and in certain circumstances, it makes sense to do so.
However, there is a middle way: professional will-writers can help with complex wills without costing the earth.
In this blog post, we compare the difficulties and benefits of DIY wills and using a professional service.
Writing A Will Yourself
What makes a will legally valid?
As long as your will is signed and witnessed by two independent adults (not beneficiaries) who are present at the time, it is legally binding.
Wording Conventions
There are general rules of phrasing used in wills which avoid confusion. Following these makes executing the will much clearer than if you write it however you want. Some DIY will templates have standard sections and legal terms included to help with this, but if you’re uncertain, have a solicitor look over the will before signing.
Avoiding Confusion
If you do decide to write your own will, you will need to check the details very carefully.
- Check that you have spelt your beneficiaries’ names correctly, to avoid confusion.
- You need to specify that this document revokes any previous wills. A template will give instructions on doing this properly.
- Be specific. If referring to your spouse, use their full name.
- If you leave money to a charity, include the name and address of the charity.
- Finally, sign and date your will in front of 2 adult witnesses, and get them to sign as well.
Don’t write your own will if:
- You own property, investments or bank accounts abroad
- You’re leaving somebody a business that you own
- You have financial dependents who are not your children, such as step-children
- You’re hoping to reduce your inheritance tax bill
- You’re including wishes which may be misinterpreted
If any of these situations sounds like you, it’s important to seek professional advice.
Using a Professional Service
A will-writing company is different from using a solicitor to write your will. It is often more affordable, and can still include in-person support. We offer home visits to help clients write their wills without the expense of engaging a solicitor. Many services also offer online or postal will writing.
A Helpful Conversation
A will writer will begin by talking to you about your family and circumstances. They’ll seek to understand all your assets, including property and possessions. They will also find out who you would like to name as your executors.
A professional will listen to who you want to benefit under your will and how. Think about the proportion of each asset to gift, whether there are specific possessions to pass on or charitable legacies to set up. They will also give you advice on how to organise these benefits in the will.
A First Draft on Your Behalf
Once all of this information is understood and clarified, we will write up a draft of your will for you, using the proper phrasing and structure. You can then make any changes before the final will is written, signed and witnessed.
Using a service that offers home visits gives you the chance to have all your documents in easy reach.
Online Services
Online will writers use an online form that you can fill in at any time. You don’t get personal advice during the process to support your decisions, but it may be more convenient for those with busy lives. When you’ve finished, the service will send you a draft by post or email to sign and witness.
Will Storage
Some services offer to store the original copy of your will securely. This can alleviate worries of losing your original will, for example, if you move house or there is a fire.
In any case, make sure you tell your loved ones where your will is kept. They will need to know this after you pass away.
Serviced vs Do-It-Yourself Wills
For most people, life is complicated. Children from previous relationships, being unmarried, or having an international portfolio can all mean you shouldn’t write your will on your own.
Help is at hand, throughout the South-West. From Gloucester to St Albans, will writing services are available, with home visits, video calls or over the phone. Trust Bees & Co. to help you write your will and make sure your wishes are known.
