Does It Matter Who Writes My Will?
In her latest Timms blog, Wills and Probate Solicitor Megan Lovell discusses the question “Does It Matter Who Writes My Will?”
Who Can Write A Will?
Writing a Will is not a regulated activity, meaning that anyone can write a Will. It is something you could write yourself, use a Will writing company or instruct a solicitor. It is important that you understand that a Will can be prepared by individuals who are unregulated or who lack the necessary knowledge and expertise.
Will Writing Companies
I have found that it is becoming more common for clients to come to me and explain they have contacted a Will writing company to prepare their Wills. They have been sold on the idea that such companies save on high legal fees. Unfortunately, no matter what they have paid, clients can be left in a difficult situation, as they can often find they do not actually understand the document that has been prepared for them. They are then left in the lurch by these companies who do not offer any assurance or advise fully on the implications of their Wills or even a simple explanation of what their Wills do.
The Importance Of Asking ‘Who Is Writing My Will?’
Companies can often promise that they will protect all your assets from care fees by placing assets into trust during your lifetime. This sounds attractive to clients and therefore they proceed without finding out the full facts first or fully understanding the implications.
On occasion these companies stop trading and leave clients wondering where they stand. Solicitors are then often left dealing with such Wills that are drafted with legal errors. Whilst we are on hand to assist clients to ensure they understand their Wills and put right any legal errors, unfortunately, sometimes these errors do not come to light until the client has passed away, making the administration of their estate complicated.
Therefore, when asking yourself ‘who is writing my Will?’, make sure that you check a company is registered with a regulated voluntary body such as Society of Will Writers or the Institute of Professional Will Writers. It is important to note that not all Will writing companies are rogue.
How Can Timms Help?
A Will is an important legal document. By making a Will you are deciding who you want to benefit from your estate when you pass away.
At Timms we are regulated by the Law Society and are specialists in the preparation of Wills. We are committed to offering clients quality service at an affordable price. We put our clients at the heart of what we do and are committed to providing a comprehensive, professional legal service.
If you would like any information with regards to preparing a Will then please do not hesitate to contact me at m.lovell@timms-law.com or on 01530 564498. Alternatively, you can visit the Wills and Probate page of our website here.
August 2022