If you’re starting the process of searching for a firm to write your Will, you will be familiar with Wills being advertised very cheaply. Many of these Will writing companies will be displayed at the top of search engine results, claiming to sell you an ‘affordable, expert legal Will service’. However, the reality is that some of these Will writing services will, more often than not, generate a rushed, ‘one size fits all’ document for you to sign which is not tailored to your specific wishes.
It is incredibly common for people to believe that their estate is quite straightforward, for example, if everything is to be split equally between children, and therefore to believe that they do not need an expensive Will due to their ‘simple’ wishes. However, this is a common misconception; regardless of how ‘straightforward’ you believe your wishes to be, your Will still needs to stand up under extensive scrutiny and be in line with Probate Registry requirements. One common issue that we come across at Clarke and Son when dealing with some Wills written by Wills writers is that they have not been signed correctly. This then poses many challenges in terms of getting a Grant of Probate.
If your Will is not correctly drafted, this may result in issues for your loved ones when dealing with your estate after your death.
A badly written Will can result in your Will needing corrections after your death, which can be stressful, expensive, and will prolong the process of administering your estate. This will mean that anything you have saved initially by getting your Will written through a cheap Will Writing service will be largely outweighed by the costs of any challenges and disputes against a poorly written Will that could arise after you pass away, not to mention the added emotional strain this will put on your Executors and loved ones.
Some important questions to consider when choosing someone to write your Will:
– Does the Will provider have adequate insurance, qualifications, and expertise to write your Will?
– Is it likely that the firm will still be in existence when you die? If your Will is stored with your Will writer, it’s vital that your original Will can be found after your death.
– Is the Will’s quality such that it will stand up under extensive scrutiny?
– Is the Will a bespoke and personal product, tailored to your specific wishes?
Another vital element to take into account is the storage of your Will: do the Will writers retain your Will for storage, safely and free of charge? Or must you pay an additional monthly fee for them to hold your Will? Here at Clarke and Son, we store your Will in our secure storage facility for safekeeping, as well as providing you with copies of your Will and any side letters, all for no extra cost. So, although you may be paying slightly extra for our services, the costs are quickly dwarfed when compared to the total amount you will pay to store your Will if you elect the Will Writing route.
A Will is arguably one of the most important documents you will make in your lifetime. Whilst the cost of making a Will may seem expensive- it is an investment. Our Wills and Estate Planning Solicitors are qualified professionals, who will be sure to create a bespoke product, leaving you with peace of mind that your assets are adequately protected, and your loved ones looked after.
Therefore, it really goes without saying: cheaper does not always mean better quality, so if an online Will writing service seems too good to be true, it usually is!
If you would like any further information please contact our Wills and Estate Planning Team on 01256 320555 or email us at mail@clarkeandson.co.uk and we would be happy to assist you.
