Having a poorly written Will is often as bad as having no Will at all, but what are the risks of ‘doing it yourself’ when it comes to writing down your last wishes?
Spend five minutes online and you’ll see how easy and cheap it is to purchase a Will making kit; Amazon sells them from as little as £3.99 and WHSmith from £9.99. But whilst these kits may appear to offer a simpler and quicker way to write a Will, there are dangers.
Badly written DIY Wills and the resulting probate problems impact an estimated 38,000 families a year.
So what are the most common mistakes people make when writing their own DIY or Off-the-Shelf Wills..? Mis-spelt or incorrect names is one, as is failing to get the Will correctly signed and witnessed. These things may seem small, but when the time comes for the Will to fulfil its duty, they cannot easily be rectified.
More serious issues involve not disposing all your assets as you intended to, or trying to dispose of assets that cannot be passed under a Will without further legal processes being completed, because they are owned in ‘joint names’ – as many properties are.
In many instances people you wish to inherit may have been inadvertently dis-inherited, such as step-children, resulting in an ultimate intestacy where beneficiaries you do not intend to inherit would be legally entitled to.
Often people don’t do their research before they fill in ‘off the shelf’ Wills, and don’t realise that changes made later to a Will are only valid if properly signed and witnessed. And “you don’t know what you don’t know”.
That’s why, when it comes to Will Writing, Citizens Advice recommends using a professional in all but the most straightforward of situations (a childless man who wants to leave everything to his wife, for example). The organisation’s website states: “Sorting out misunderstandings after your death may result in considerable legal costs, which will reduce the amount of money available for your loved ones.”
Heir Tight Wills helps clients understand the options and implications of having a valid, comprehensive and up-to-date Will, ensuring your estate planning provisions protect your assets, and provide for your loved ones as you intend to. For a FREE Consultation to discuss writing your Will, contact Rachael Rodgers on 0845 519 7585, or CONTACT US via email.