Where there’s a Will
Lemon&Co Solicitors, is warning people to beware of the many will writing services currently available and is urging individuals to ensure that the firm concerned is properly regulated before employing their services.
Deirdre Moss, Partner at Lemon&Co, Solicitors, says: “Will writing services can seem an easy and cost effective way of ensuring that your final wishes are properly recorded; however in reality many of those firms offering this service do not have any specific qualifications. This means that they are not able to offer people the level of guidance required when drawing up such an important document such as careful consideration of tax savings, trusts etc.
“The more complicated estates we are often asked to deal with are those that have wills which have been poorly drafted. These sadly take more time than most to complete also at times requiring consideration of whether any remedy is possible. Of course this bears an unnecessary expense to the estate.”
Other options open to you when recording how you wish your estate to be managed after your death, are to draft your own will, use one of the many will writing packs available, or even set out final wishes online. Drafting your own will or using a will pack means that you could run the risk of missing vital information or recording the information incorrectly and unwittingly create a legal problem which could result in issues to resolve for those you leave behind and at a cost. Having taken the steps of recording your wishes as to management of your estate after your death, which is always advised, a little more expense at an early stage for proper advice and guidance can result in the peace of mind you intended.
Historically, solicitors have always dealt with will writing service. They are familiar with the service bring expertise and knowledge of recent law affecting wills whether it is tax or other matters relevant to any particular will. This final option, to seek services of a solicitor, may cost a little higher however, as long standing experts will provide you with a wholistic service. Details such as business assets, marriage, safeguarding assets for your children’s future benefit in the event of re-marriage, saving nursing home costs, foreign assets and much more can be discussed. Solicitors can also advise on the management of issues such as inheritance tax, charitable giving and the setting up of trusts. A further benefit, of course, is that most Solicitors will store your will and can be in a position to provide any other legal service as and when you need it.
Deirdre concludes, “An initial outlay now may save your estate a lot of money in due course and you can be satisfied that matters will be dealt with appropriately and in a professional manner with a solicitor.
“Even those who do not consider that they have much to leave should consider contacting a solicitor to conduct their affairs.”
October 2008
This article gives a general overview only and the legal position at the time of writing this article. It cannot be relied upon in any particular case. Specific legal advice must always be considered to include consideration as to whether the legal position contained in this article has changed since going to print. For further information and advice, please contact Deirdre Moss, Gail Leece, Gareth Horner or Trish Watkins on 01793 527141 or alternatively by email on Deirdre.Moss@lemon-co.co.uk, Gail.Leece@lemon-co.co.uk, Gareth.Horner@lemon-co.co.uk or Trish.Watkins@lemon-co.co.uk.
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