RootsChat.Com
General => The Common Room => The Lighter Side => Topic started by: VICTORIA on Saturday 11 November 23 13:43 GMT (UK)
-
Do you have a solicitor to write a will
Victoria.
-
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
-
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.
-
Agree - I have written 2 wills, both with solicitors. They were fairly simple and not too expensive.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Bumblebee
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.
-
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.
-
I think that it is Lasting Power of Attorney for property and financial affairs.
-
Oh I see. I don't recall anything about that when I did my LPA. Probably too late now to check and amend it.
-
Bumblebee
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.
-
Many thanks for that - yes, OH and I are "Tenants in Common".
-
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.
-
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
-
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.