Drawing Up A Will.

[Islay]

Can I draw up my last will and testament without seeing a lawyer?

I don't have much to leave just some life insurance and the payout from work, its more what's to happen to my remains and the care of my animals in the future?

Is there a form I have to use or can I just write it on a piece of paper and get it witnessed by an individual.

[woofgang]

You can buy or download a will form. One written on a sheet of paper will be ok provided you cover what is needed.
https://www.gov.uk/make-will/overview

[Islay]

Cheers Woofgang

[Islay]

Thank you divebuddy

[bednobs]

usually a payout from work will have a nominated person the receive it, so won't need to be willed. If you are married, and want life insurnce to go to your spouse, that happens anyway (after debts), so no need for a will.
The care of your animals and what happens to your remains don't need to go in a will anyway, even if they do, there is no legal obligation on the executor to carry out those non-estate type requests anyway.

[Peter Pedant]

BC our resident will writer will be along soon
he used to do this for a living

yes you do need a will - everyone does
yes you need two witnesses and they have to watch you sign and then say they have seen it - they need to be together when you do it

yes you can leave money for a pooch to be looked after
https://www.lexisnexis.com/documents/pdf/20090701050818_large.pdf

I think you need to arrange it with the lucky fella before hand ( the human I mean )

and well done for thinking ahead
rather than starring on "heirs-a-go-go " or whatever it is called

and yes I have written a will

[ Galton one of Darwin's nephews kind of - wrote his first will at age 8 ( my painting set to ... my fluffy bunny to ... etc ) ]

[Peter Pedant]

this is not bad
and not very different from dad's will in 1972

http://www.privycouncil.org.uk/Sample-Wills-1.html

note that the site is NOT the privycouncil
but the sample will is OK

if BC comes on
his advice takes precedence

[Islay]

Thanks for all your answers, as I said I don't have a lot and of course hubby will be first its more I want to ensure that my animals are looked after in the event that something should happen to him.

This op in January has resulted in some weird dream hence the thoughts of the will.

[Buenchico]

>>> BC our resident will writer will be along soon

It's many years since I ran a will-writing company but I think I can still remember the basics ;-)

The advice I've given here many times before (and I'm happy to repeat now) is that anyone thinking about writing their will should get hold of a copy of this book:
http://tinyurl.com/jt6busx
It's available in many public libraries but with a secondhand copy offered on Amazon for less than £3 (inc postage) it won't exactly break the bank to buy one! (Don't worry if you find an older edition. While there have been a few changes to the law on intestacy, the basic stuff about writing a will still remains valid).

Read the book carefully and then draft your will based upon the guidance you've received from it. If at that stage you're completely confident that you've got it right, sign your will in front of witnesses and sit back happy that you've got an important task completed.

If you've got any doubts at all though about how good your draft is, take it along to a solicitor. (Even if you'd intended using a solicitor all along, I'd still advise reading that book and preparing an initial draft first. Many years before I started writing wills for a living I had my own will drawn up by a solicitor but I later came to realise that he'd failed to ask me lots of important questions which the book covers really well).

[jennyjoan]

I Know you won't want to be responding to me but I'll respond to you.

My friend in England has told me of a very very good service that will take care of your dogs should anything happen to you or your husband. The Cinnaman Trust. They will take the dogs and make sure they are given to very good homes. Perhaps you should insert that in the will and I am sure somebody will carry it out for you.

[Buenchico]

Link for JennyJoan's post:
http://www.cinnamon.org.uk/

[Islay]

Thank you but the dogs will return to the rescue centre I got them from as I also volunteer with them so I know they would have a good home for the rest of their days.

[atalanta]

Note : It is very easy to get something wrong in a will. Lord Jarman wrote the big fat huge textbook on Wills. And, guess what - ( especially ironic for someone who knew the last word on wills ) his own will was disputed.

[hellywelly4]

I wouldn't risk doing one myself. Use a solicitor, they will know all the pitfalls and give good advice. Also, have you done an Enduring Power of Attorney (is it still called that?).

[TonyV]

Hellywelly yes get it professionally it approved by lawer but worth taking some notes with you to lower solicitors fees so would advise Chis's book as first stop

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