Making a will

[1977Nicky]

I have recently got married and someone mentioned making a will to me. I have never thought about it although I suppose I should. My friend has an appointment this weekend to make one and she said that they have a special offer on at the moment for �158 per couple, �158?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Do they not do will making kits for cheaper? As I have no children, without a will everything will be left to my husband won't it?

[DillyGent]

1977Nicky, as long as your life is not complicated you can buy a form from WH Smith and complete it as per the clear and simple instructions. There will always be people who will tell you to get it done via a solicitor. If it is just you and him and no complicated money tie-ins then this is perfectly legal. Spend the rest on a weekend away!

[CheekyChops]

My parents had theirs done at a Solicitors last year and it only cost c�50 for both! The Solicitor in question was doing a 'special offer' on wills so it may be worth ringing around a few to see if you can get it cheaper.

[Grunty]

Whatever you decide, don't pay �158. You should be able to get 4 or 5 wills written for that. If you intend to leave anything to a charity, some of them will arrange the will free of charge.

[Buenchico]

I used to run a will-writing agency and I agree that �158 sounds steep!

Almost everybody should write a will. It's easy to make assumptions about what will happen to your estate but any good will-writer should ask questions to challenge those assumptions. E.g. you wrote "As I have no children, without a will everything will be left to my husband won't it?" My immediate response would be "Yes, that will probably be what happens. But what if you and your husband both die in the same car crash? What will happen to your estate under those circumstances?"

As has been said, there's no need to pay anyone to prepare your will but I'd recommend heading to your local library first. They'll probably have a copy of the excellent guide to writing your own will from the publishers of 'Which' magazine. When you've studied it you'll be in a better position to know whether you need the help of a professional or whether you just need a blank sheet of paper.

See also here:
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Money_and_Finance/Questio n152656.html

Chris

[surfbabe]

check your home insurance policy they some times offer a free will writing service, i am just in the process of doing it as i get it free through my union at work

[silversver]

What you need is a mirror will your possesions go to you husband and his to you mine was done free because id used the solicitor to buy a house but a mirror will should not cost a lot, but if you dont have a will everything goes to probate until it is sorted out by a solicitor this can take a long time so it is wise to make one.