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General => The Common Room => The Lighter Side => Topic started by: VICTORIA on Saturday 11 November 23 13:43 GMT (UK)

Title: Writing a Will
Post by: VICTORIA on Saturday 11 November 23 13:43 GMT (UK)
Do you have a solicitor to write a will
Victoria.
Title: Re: Writing a Will
Post by: Treetotal on Saturday 11 November 23 14:34 GMT (UK)
This is helpful Victoria, from AgeUK..
 We did have a Solicitor to do ours but he was a friend.

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/get-involved/donate/leave-legacy/will-writing-guide-request/search/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=WillsBrand&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItqHc7pS8ggMVrItoCR3gswyBEAAYAyAAEgJoSfD_BwE

Carol
Title: Re: Writing a Will
Post by: Jebber on Saturday 11 November 23 15:19 GMT (UK)
You can do one yourself but I wouldn’t advise it. There are Will writing companies but not all have the right qualifications. A solicitor will ensue a Will is watertight and isn’t left open to dispute.
Title: Re: Writing a Will
Post by: Top-of-the-hill on Saturday 11 November 23 15:41 GMT (UK)
  Agree - I have written 2 wills, both with solicitors. They were fairly simple and not too expensive.
Title: Re: Writing a Will
Post by: Ray T on Saturday 11 November 23 22:07 GMT (UK)
Anyone can write a will but it isn’t advisable - there are too many pitfalls. E.G. it can make a difference if the pages are stapled and not held together with a paperclip!

A relatively straightforward will shouldn’t cost much and most solicitors will securely store a copy for free.
Title: Re: Writing a Will
Post by: BumbleB on Saturday 11 November 23 22:24 GMT (UK)
I can't remember how much it cost for OH and I to make our respective wills, but they are now safely housed.  Ours were only each to the other, plus daughter inheriting.

AND somewhere along the line we ensured that the house could NOT be sold to pay for possible care home costs.

Title: Re: Writing a Will
Post by: andrewalston on Saturday 11 November 23 22:31 GMT (UK)
You've just missed a great deal:
"Every March and October, Age UK takes part in Free Wills Month, offering people aged 55+ the opportunity to have a simple will written free of charge."
  https://www.ageuk.org.uk/get-involved/donate/leave-legacy/free-wills-month/

Obviously, they are hoping that there might be a legacy going their way, but a will is only published AFTER the death.
Title: Re: Writing a Will
Post by: HughC on Sunday 12 November 23 07:14 GMT (UK)
There are many other charities taking part.
The chosen charity pays the solicitor: I don't know whether that means a fixed amount or a certain proportion of the value of the bequest.

Not sure why this was posted in The Lighter Side -- making a will is no laughing matter.

Title: Re: Writing a Will
Post by: Girl Guide on Sunday 12 November 23 09:24 GMT (UK)
Bumblebee

Quote
AND somewhere along the line we ensured that the house could NOT be sold to pay for possible care home costs.

How did you manage to do that Bumblebee?  I was under the impression that councils could sell your house even if it is in joint names of other family members.

I haven't checked what the current situation is with that.
Title: Re: Writing a Will
Post by: Top-of-the-hill on Sunday 12 November 23 10:00 GMT (UK)
  My husband and I made our wills during an early version of the free arrangements, and I was so thankful we had, as he died only a few months later.
   My son married in South Africa and I think he said that making wills was an accepted (if not obligatory) part of getting married.   
Title: Re: Writing a Will
Post by: BumbleB on Sunday 12 November 23 10:09 GMT (UK)
I think that it is Lasting Power of Attorney for property and financial affairs. 
Title: Re: Writing a Will
Post by: Girl Guide on Sunday 12 November 23 10:12 GMT (UK)
Oh I see.  I don't recall anything about that when I did my LPA.  Probably too late now to check and amend it.
Title: Re: Writing a Will
Post by: Ray T on Sunday 12 November 23 10:18 GMT (UK)
Bumblebee

Quote
AND somewhere along the line we ensured that the house could NOT be sold to pay for possible care home costs.

How did you manage to do that Bumblebee?  I was under the impression that councils could sell your house even if it is in joint names of other family members.

I haven't checked what the current situation is with that.

It’s not really part of a will, it depends upon how the family house is owned and, again, quite simple for a solicitor to sort out.

Have a look here - https://www.gov.uk/joint-property-ownership If you are “Tenants in Common”, effectively, the authorities can’t sell a house, to pay care fees, which is part owned by somebody else.
Title: Re: Writing a Will
Post by: BumbleB on Sunday 12 November 23 10:22 GMT (UK)
Many thanks for that - yes, OH and I are "Tenants in Common".

Title: Re: Writing a Will
Post by: Girl Guide on Sunday 12 November 23 10:36 GMT (UK)
Thanks for that Ray, I have bookmarked it for further investigation.

Hopefully I should never need to go into care but a good idea to get things in place should that happen.
Title: Re: Writing a Will
Post by: martin hooper on Sunday 12 November 23 10:50 GMT (UK)
Writing your own simple will is not difficult as long as you do your research beforehand. By simple I mean no complications like trust funds and multiple properties, and no disgruntled relatives. A lot of so called will writing specialists have no legal training or qualifications. What they have is the experience of doing it and they will warn you quite strongly of the dangers of trying to do it yourself. It's in their interest to say that.

Martin

Title: Re: Writing a Will
Post by: Ray T on Sunday 12 November 23 15:58 GMT (UK)
Whereas solicitors have legal indemnity insurance and risk being struck off for giving bad advice.

If you have nothing worth passing on, you might want to take the risk.