DIY Wills: you could end up paying a much higher price
Making a Will is an essential way to ensure your assets are distributed according to your final wishes after your death. However, it seems that many people just do not get around to making a will, primarily because it is not seen as a priority or is something they'd rather not think about.
What are the risks? The main issue is that, by not having a valid Will, you could leave your family in a financial and emotional mess, with your legacy being eaten up by legal bills. If errors are made, or the witnessing rules are not adhered to, there is a good chance that your Will could be invalid and unable to deal with your estate as you intended.
It depends on your assets. A simple Solicitor drafted Will could cost in the region of £100-£300, and costs may increase further where more complicated estates are involved, e.g. additional property, investments and business interests. DIY Wills can be much cheaper, costing as little as £16.99 in some cases. However, they do come with a risk and whilst they're not necessarily a bad option unless your affairs are relatively straightforward, they could be a false economy.
It is generally advisable to use a solicitor – right? A Will drafted by a professional Will-writer is always best. A professional Will-writer can alert you to issues that you may not have considered or be aware of, for example incorrectly believing that co-habiting couples automatically inherit each other’s estates, or that family members can simply step in to take charge of your children if the worst happened to you.
Some of the biggest issues people experience with DIY Wills relate to the creation of the document; failing to get it witnessed correctly, misspelled names and even not signing it properly. To avoid these kinds of errors, we at AFC Legal can offer you a professional Will-writing service that will ensure your legacy goes to the right people.
To find out more about our competitive rates, get in touch with the team at info@afclegal.co.uk or call us on 0800 689 0386.