Cost Of A Will

[DaisyNonna]

What is the going rate for a simple will which stipulates all money and possessions to be shared equally between two children?

[sandyRoe]

I think somewhere about £70.

[DaisyNonna]

Why did my question immediately trigger a disclaimer which I thought was rude and threatening?

[ladybirder]

£30.00
http://www.beneficentlaw.co.uk/make-a-will.html

[Barmaid]

There is always a disclaimer in law DaisyNonna. At the top in all the legal sections there has been one there for ages.

[DaisyNonna]

Won't bother to post in law again.

[FredPuli43]

The disclaimer is really to protect the lawyers on here by suggesting that our advice is worth exactly the amount you paid for it ! But watch out for one thing about the cheap will services; there is a possibility that they will suggest that their staff be appointed as executors, a proposition that should not be agreed to since it may well cost the estate money

[hc4361]

I'd be more worried if there wasn't a disclaimer!

£70 is about right.

[ladybirder]

That wasn't the case with my suggestion Fred, if your comment was meant for me.

[DaisyNonna]

Quoted today £100 plus VAT
Quoted to do it by post from another source £150, extra to do it by phone.
10 minutes tops.
Hourly rate?
Now I remember why I decided a life in law was not for me.

[sandyRoe]

The £70 I mentioned was what I paid a few years back.
The £100 + vat isn't just for 10 minutes, it is for the knowledge they have gained in the work of a lifetime.

[DaisyNonna]

Excuse me ! I said I wanted my estate (er, money and stuff) to be equally divided between my two children. He said, "Right."
Hardly using the knowledge gained in the work of a lifetime.

[barney4444]

If it is that simple Daisy just write down on a bit of paper what you would like to happen after your death, now we both know that it would not be a proper and legal document that could be contested and that is why you need a lawyer, £100 sounds reasonable to me..

[hc4361]

http://www.whichwills.com/

Have a look here - trusted organisation, reasonable price.

Although you can do it yourself

This is my last will and testament.
I,...................., being of sound mind and body will my estate, property and all assets in its entirety and without hindrance to be sold and the proceeds to be divided equally for the benefit of my children, (name here) and (name here).

I nominate (child one) and (child two) as executors.

Signed................................ Dated.................


Witnessed by ...............(not children) and ..............................
addresses here............................... .....................................
Date ...................... ....................................





If anyone can pick any flaws in that I'd appreciate comments.

[factor-fiction]

Even what appears to be a simple situation can lead to problems- eg is either child living in the house, is there a spouse, what if one or both children predecease you, should both be named as executors, will not witnessed properly, possible ambiguity in the wording,,,,
Will writing kits can be okay but I'm sure Barmaid has lots of stories of where they went wrong. You are paying the solicitor to ask the right questions, write it properly using his/her expertise, agree it with you, store it for you, arrange witnesses.

[tamborine]

Mums Will written in her undecipherable hand was as simple as hc4361 and went to probate smoothly with just a verbal oath at the Registrar

[factor-fiction]

Yes tambo- I'm sure most go through smoothly but some don't- so it depends whether you want to take a chance to save £100-£150. It's a competitive market- you can shop around and choose the cheapest deal. Or you can do one with a charity for a very low price although I think they expect to get something from the estate

[tamborine]

Whereas my OHs Will written by local solicitor was disputed by his bruvs. Cost me £50k to win in High Court, costs won too ;)

[DaisyNonna]

No questions were asked.

[factor-fiction]

I'm not sure what you want us to say, Daisy. There is no right answer. You can get it done for around £70 if you shop around. If you feel the solicitors/will writers are getting money for old rope, or you are persuaded by tambo's experience then do it yourself with a will writing kit for under £5

[DaisyNonna]

Just asking what is the going rate. Simple question.