When you have made the decision to make a will you have many choices of route to take to make one. I always recommend you seek PROFESSIONAL ADVICE.
At the very bottom you can buy a will form from W.H.Smith or the Post Office and “do it yourself”. NOT RECOMMENDED. 80% of such wills they say have errors and end up in court with expensive legal fees that can eat up a lot of the estate.
You can go on to the internet and make a legal will. But you are working “blind” without a word of advice and could make errors.
Banks with some accounts will offer you a free will but again you get no advice. Some unions give their members free wills but, again, you do not receive any advice.
You must seek PROFESSIONAL ADVICE either from a Solicitor or a Professionall Willwriter. If you use a solicitor you must make sure that they have a department that deals with wills, probate or trusts to ensure their advice is up to date and professional. A basic high street solicitor may not – I repeat MAY not – have the latest information.
If you use a professional will writer ensure they are a member of either the Society of Willwriters or the Institute of Professional Willwriters. These organisations both have very strict codes of practice which all members must adhere to including having professional indemnity insurance. The IPW code of practice is approved by the TRADING STANDARDS INSTITUTE ensuring the finest and most honest service. I am a member of both organisations.
The advantage of a professional willwriter is that they are full time willwriters and continually study and increase their knowledge all year and, with lower overheads than a solicitor, they mostly carry out home visits so that you can have all the various ins and outs of will writing explained to you in the comfort of your own home.
85% of wills are quite simple and you may fall into this category. But until you have had professional and extensive advice you wll not know whether that will suit you. Im my opinion you should see a registed professional will writer so that you are comfortable that the will you have chosen is correct for you.
SEEK PROFESSIONAL ADVICE.
Peter Bowyer (MIPW & MSWW)
