Anyone can write a Will.
You can write it yourself on a piece of paper or use a will-making kit available cheaply from a good stationers.
This might seem like a very cost-effective way to produce your Will. But does it do what you want it to and will it cover everything?
So, you don’t want to write it yourself. What are your options?
You could look at using a will writing firm or a solicitors firm.
You do not need to be regulated by any authority to write a Will. This means someone with no experience at all could advertise and charge you to provide a Will. Often they will seem reputable and draw you in with a low-cost option for a professional service.
The Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA) have received complaints about people being misled by the initial price of the service only to find out that everything they want to include in their Will comes at an additional cost. Therefore the final price for their Will doesn’t reflect the initial quote at all. The CMA have therefore launched a new investigation into unregulated will writing services in order to protect consumers.
How are Solicitors any different?
Solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and therefore we have to have a number of things in place to provide a service to the public.
So what are these and how can this protect you?
- We are required to undertake Continuing Professional Development (CPD) meaning we stay up to date in our areas of expertise
- We are required to be transparent about our pricing. This is only specific to selected services but at Attwells we believe this is something clients deserve to know about all of our services and we are open and upfront about all of our costs – it doesn’t cost you to see if we can help
- We must act, at all times, in the best interest of our clients
- On the rare occasion a mistake is made in the drafting of your Will, Solicitors are required to hold extensive Professional Indemnity Insurance to ensure any claim for professional negligence can be financially covered
So how can you be sure you are getting value for money?
A former chair of the Law Society’s Wills and Equity Committee has said that writing a will “is the biggest cheque you will ever write” which is something to consider when looking at the price of a Will service.
The cost doesn’t just provide you with a document. The cost is for taking in your wishes, considering and exploring the options that you have available to you and advising you on what you want to happen when you die. Yes, you get a document at the end of the process but that shouldn’t be the only thing you are looking at in terms of the overall service you receive.
Our friendly and professional team is here to help and guide you through the process. Please get in contact so we can discuss how we can help you.
