If you want to make sure your loved ones are looked after after your death – and that your estate is distributed in the most tax-efficient way – then a professionally written will is essential. A good will can also reduce or even prevent any family disputes that could arise after your death. It’s possible to write a will yourself, but this can be time-consuming and open you up to potential mistakes. A professional will writers near me will writer can write a draft for you and provide support with the process, saving you time and money.
The most common type of will writing service is an online one where you visit the website and answer a series of questions. Then, the service will send you a draft for you to sign. Some services offer a telephone helpline to answer any questions, and some will let you speak to a specialist before you begin the questionnaire. If you have complex assets (like trusts and overseas properties), it may be worth paying extra for a more thorough service.
Alternatively, you can pay to have your will written by a solicitor. It’s usually the most expensive option, but it can give you peace of mind that your will has been written by someone who is legally qualified to do so. Solicitors usually check your documents for legal compliance before they are signed, and some will also store them securely for you after they’ve been completed.
There are also a number of specialist companies which will write your will for you at your home, or over the phone. Many of them are members of a trade body, so you can be confident they’re trained in this area and follow a code of practice. However, they may not be able to store your original documents securely and might not be insured in the same way as solicitors.
Some banks now offer a will-writing service, but we don’t recommend this as it’s often more expensive than an independent firm. We’ve found that the customer experience is variable and some have experienced problems with their documents, including incorrect information in them.
It’s also important to check the terms and conditions of a service before you choose it. Some will writers charge a fixed fee for a will, while others will charge per document or on a subscription basis. This can vary greatly, as can any extra perks offered – like outside legal support or the ability to amend your will at any time. If you have a lot of assets, it might be worth choosing a package that includes unlimited updates. Rocket Lawyer, for example, offers this. However, 14% of customers who reviewed it on Trustpilot gave it just 1 out of 5 stars, saying that its questionnaire was confusing and didn’t clearly explain fees and packages.