Will

[jennyjoan]

I need to make out a will but know that the receivers of any money I will be leaving cannot be Executors (don't know much about law).

Anyway I don't want the receivers to know that they are in my will. What other areas could I explore - thanks. JjCon

[dunnitall]

Actually I think you will find they can be beneficiaries, it's witnesses who cannot.

[ubasses]

You can leave money to the Executors of your Will but you cannot leave anything to the Witnesses to your Will.

[woofgang]

Executors can be beneficiaries jj. Its witnesses who cannot benefit. You can name people as executors without telling them and you can ask them to be your executors without telling them that you have left them anything. They don't need to see your will till you are dead. witnesses must sign your will at the same time as you and in the presence of each other but don't have to see the detail of what they are signing.

[jennyjoan]

Thanks all - it is getting the witnesses - you know asking people to go with me to Solicitor's office and maybe them having to take time off work etc.

[Peter Pedant]

JJ yup JJ receivers (let us please call them beneficiaries, receivers are completely different) can be executors and at least one should be....

Beneficiaries dont have to be told until your death
Choose your executors well - I am not keen on lawyers as executors as they can charge and charge and charge....
and then go to a lawyer who specialises in wills ( who will say; yes I know, I should be executor ) and pay. Paying for a will is not that expensive (hundreds)

By contrast I have divided my stuff unequally between beneficiaries ( all over 21 ) and said to them basically I dont give a toss if you disagree, this is my money and this is how it is going to go.

[jennyjoan]

So wish wasn't leaving anything but then again if I end up in a home - home will take it for care.

[Gizmonster]

When I made my will, the solicitor himself and his assistant were my witnesses.

[ubasses]

If you are having the Will drawn up at a Solicitors you could ask two of his staff if they would mind signing as witnesses.

[dunnitall]

If you go to solicitor the solicitor will witness the Will or make arrangements if you so desire.

[jennyjoan]

Peter you are correct in the term beneficiaries but I am a bit confused. Are you saying wills are hundreds of pounds or that the Solicitor will say that.

[Peter Pedant]

witnesses are not an issue
take the unsigned will back home
knock on neighbours doors ( one on each side )
and do it .... together.

You ALL have to do it at one time..... not a big deal.

They are witnessing your signature and not the text of the will

[jennyjoan]

That's a good idea Ubasses.

[New Judge]

If you have your will prepared by a solicitor you do not have to provide witnesses. Usually the solicitors' office staff will act as witnesses for you.

[Peter Pedant]

No you have to read the script

The will will take a few hundred to draw up ( depends )

[jennyjoan]

Nah contacting neighbours wouldn't do it as my neighbours sorta know my beneficiaries. Not a good idea. Like Ubasses idea tho.

[jennyjoan]

Depends on what - I thought a will was about £50 to £100 at the most.

[dunnitall]

Depends where you are, the complexity or not of your Will, some cost a lot more than that, always check first before making an appointment.

[jennyjoan]

New Judge - if I weren't to go to Solicitors for the will where else would I be going.

[dunnitall]

You can buy Will forms, make it out yourself and get two witnesses to sign it but you need it to be uncomplicated and written out properly so as not to make it invalid or ambiguous enough for your executors to sort out. You can get a book on the subject or even look for Will making firms who will help out, though I would prefer to do it myself...personal choice.

[jennyjoan]

I did have a will drawn up around 1994 by myself of course. I just copied my mother's will and got two colleagues to sign it. If I don't get a new will done now that would be my last will and of course at that time all my siblings were living - now there would be only be my sister and I when other brothers go. Does that make that will invalid.