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I'm not in imminent danger but I'm booked in for some fairly big knee surgery, as the male family on my dad's side have a history of dropping dead in hospital for minor operations ("he ate a bad egg"), I'm looking to get a Will done to leave my peanuts to the nearest and dearest, and out of the hands of the selfish git side of the family.
But I'm completely new to all this, so any advice is most welcome...I know it's how long is a piece of string, but what is a reasonable figure to pay (single person, no kids, not loaded, some savings and no property to pass on)?
Also should I be careful about who I pick to do it - are there any examples of fraudulent will writers out there!
Ta.
In your situation I'd just pick up one of those DIY packs in WH Smiths. I'd imagine there are online versions too now - not looked in years. It's not worth spend money on someone for such a simple will who will only be using a simple template anyway.
While you are at it write a letting explaining what sort of funeral you want and permission/ instruction to chop you up for organ donation while you are at it. Will save a whole load of soul searching for what you would have wanted if the worst was to happen. Passwords to all your key accounts and so on would not be bad too.
Often local solicitors will be doing a will aid sort of thing - donation to charity.
Good plan. Ask locally and around family (the ones you get on with).
Around couple of hundred for a decent encompassing will I'd have thought (depends what part of the country, too).
Hopefully they'll ask the right questions about charity, dependents, executors, and possibly powers of attorney as well.
I've got a friend who's set up a business doing will writing and LPA's. If you're anywhere near Preston, I could give you his number, I believe he's very reasonable!
where I work has a very good deal on will writing at the moment, can pass on the details if you are interested. PM me if you are interested 👍
They will guide you through the process, and ask about all the things you may not have thought about.
The Mrs and I got wills drawn up via. Will Aid a few years ago.
TBH it was all fairly straight forward stuff, especially if you don't have much of an estate and reasonably straight-forward wishes. However the solicitor did ask some good questions and guide us through the process which was worthwhile.
IIRC we donated a couple of hundred quid.
Identify suitable and trustworthy executors who you feel confident will be able to action your wishes and deal with all the admin etc. This may not be your nearest and dearest.
A local solicitor could do this for a reasonable sum.
My union (unite) does a deal on wills, possibly even free. So if your a union member might be worth a look.
Coop will writing service.
Priced upfront and also do LPAs for finance and welfare.
Bet you never even thought about them.
Unless you have complex finances or arrangements, DIY it.
Scotland has different rules about this, I downloaded a Scottish will pack that includes nominating executors and care for our kids if both of us die etc. It was very straightforward to do, got it all witnessed and signed with neighbours and friends. Sent a copy to each of our parents and wife's sister (who is nominated care for the kids).
Can it wait til October?
https://freewillsmonth.org.uk/
(there's also a planner, where you can pre-list all your assets)
If you're single, no kids etc. then if you just want to leave whatever to immediate next of kin you probably don't even need a will to be honest.
Solicitor. Selfish gits may contest it and a solicitor pointed out lots of things to me I never even though of and just illustrated how rubbish my own DIY one done previously was. Also one were you can make alterations for free later on as life/things change.
You clearly have specific requirements about who will (no pun intended) and who won't benefit so I would avoid the DIY approach as this makes it more likely that you will get it wrong and those you don't want to benefit errrr...will.
There are various options for moving this forward and as above they aren't expensive. Depending on what type of bank account you have/who it is with you may find that a will writing service is part of a package on offer to you.
do it.
Don't diy it unless you have v little to leave. A family member did this and I believe after 5 years various people are still disputing it. It was hand written and witnessed, but if it is contentious in any way the people not receiving anything will be disputing its validity.
I paid 120 I think, solicitor words everything in case a benefactor dies before you.
"If you’re single, no kids etc. then if you just want to leave whatever to immediate next of kin you probably don’t even need a will to be honest."
I wouldn't do this, just out of kindness of to your next of kin.
Dying intestate leaves a lot more hurdles to jump through for the person that's tidying up your affairs. Its a lot easier to name an executor.
Make sure you use full names
For eg
My name is Joshua middle name James
Thats Josh with a U and an A
If you need any help with my address send me a pm