A Will is one of the most important documents you will make in your lifetime. The purpose of a Will is to ensure that your assets, finances and possessions are organised and distributed according to your wishes after death. This is one of the ways in which we can make sure our families and loved ones are cared for once we have passed on.
In this article, our private client team take a look at why it is important to use a solicitor when drafting your Will.
When creating your Will, you will be asked to choose an ‘executor’. This decision should be made with great consideration as the executor will be responsible for managing your estate. If you do not choose an executor but have a Will, the court will choose this for you.
Hypothetically, if you should pass without having a legitimate Will in place, your estate will be distributed according to the rules of intestacy, meaning the people you intended your belongings and finances to go to aren’t guaranteed to receive it. In this case, since there is no Will, no person has been appointed as the administrator, meaning anyone who might want that responsibility would have to apply to the Probate Registry for a Grant of Probate.
For more information on Wills and how Jackson Longe Solicitors can help protect your legacy, click here.
DIY Wills & their Potential Dangers
Creating a Will does not have an age limit. If you are looking to write your Will either immediately or in the near future, you should instruct an experienced private client solicitor to guide you through the process.
It is possible to write your Will without the professional support of a will-writing solicitor; however, this is largely discouraged, seeing as most estates are not straightforward and are likely to be considerably complex. It is also crucial that a Will be formally witnessed if it is to be legally binding.
Although it may be tempting to make a Will using an online platform or without the direction of a Will-writing lawyer, this generally isn’t recommended either. Will costs will vary depending on the size, though the investment is necessary; having your Will professionally drafted remains to this day the only steadfast way to ensure that all of your wishes are met following your death.
Of course, the largest danger of drafting your own Will lies in the potential for mistakes. Often, DIY Wills are found to be invalid due to mistakes or legal inaccuracies that are easily missed by those not versed or trained in law. For example, Wills are likely to be deemed invalid if a beneficiary’s name is misspelled or not in full, or even if incomplete or misspelled addresses are given.
DIY Wills also present the problem of hidden costs. Many DIY Will services harbour annual storage and retrieval fees within them. These additional costs can increase your initially cheap package into a resounding cost larger than that of a professionally trained solicitor’s fee. Ironically, in most cases, legally trained Will Lawyers are cheaper than self-drafted Wills. They also relieve you of the manifold stresses commonly involved throughout the intricate process.
Advantages of Professional Drafted Wills:
- No Hidden Costs
- Safeguards against mistakes that could render your Will invalid
- Saves Time
- Approachable and friendly staff to guide you through the process
- Cost-effective
- Complicated legal jargon simplified
- Substitute Beneficiaries (often omitted from DIY Wills)
Free Wills Campaign
In partnership with Shelterbox and Voices of Hope, we at Jackson Longe Solicitors will be running our Free Wills campaign, running from October 1st to December 31st 2024. This campaign reflects our deep commitment to giving back to the community while supporting two incredible charities that provide so much vital relief to their respective causes. Talk to our experienced Solicitors today about our campaign, and get your free will guide.
Upon approaching our 10th anniversary, we are more eager than ever to demonstrate what it is that has enabled us to thrive. Our Free Wills Campaign and the work we do in conjunction with other charities is just one of the means by which we intend to spread our message and achieve our goal of giving back to the community that has stayed with us throughout our last ten years of practising law.
Wills Solicitor Richmond Surrey
At Jackson Longe Solicitors, our experienced Will lawyers understand the importance of protecting your family and loved ones when you are gone.
Given the breadth of our law knowledge matched with our celebrated service, it is easy to see why so many have turned to us throughout our ten years of business; we have not only the expertise, but the courtesy required to assist you in drafting and, when necessary, amending a thorough and complete Will tailored to your personal circumstances.
Allow us to empower your legacy, and speak to a trusted legal professional in Surrey today by calling 0208 332 2069 or emailing info@jacksonlonge.com
