Writing a will is one of the most important life decisions that you will make. That is why it deserves a lot of attention and specialist professional expertise. It is also why it makes sense to pay a little more for the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your will has been properly written by a solicitor or legal expert.
Many people choose to use an online will writing service. These services allow you to answer questions via a website and provide a draft will for you and your witnesses to sign. They can be cheaper than a solicitor and they offer a more flexible service. However, you should still read the small print carefully to ensure that you are happy with what they produce for you.
If you have any concerns about the work done by a will writer, then it is worth raising these with them. If they are regulated by a membership body, that organisation may have guidelines about how to raise a complaint and how to ask for things to be put right. In addition, the Legal Ombudsman has a sample complaint letter you can use.
Some online will writing services will give you a telephone helpline and some will let you speak to a specialist will writer before you start. This can be useful if you have any specific wishes that you want to include in your will or if you have complicated assets that need to be accounted for.
You will need to provide the details of your assets and possessions, who you want as your executors and how you would like these assets distributed (including specific gifts and charitable legacies). You should think about what circumstances might cause a dispute in your family and make provision for these too.
In addition to making a will, most will writing services can also help you prepare supplementary documents, such as advance health care directives and durable financial power of attorney. They can also advise you on how to structure your assets so that they are as tax efficient as possible and protect your family from intestacy.
It is worth noting that although some online will writers are regulated, they won’t have the same level of legal qualifications as a solicitor. This means that they might not be able to store your Will securely, or they might not be able to give you a full refund in the event of a problem.
When choosing an online will writing service, look for a provider that offers at least PS2 million of professional indemnity cover. This will protect you if something goes wrong with the work that is carried out by them.
Rocket Lawyer is an online will writing service that has a good reputation. It offers a generous free trial for its users, giving them a week to create their will and refine it. The website is easy to navigate and offers clear instructions on how to use each feature. It also has an extensive FAQs page and email support, both of which are readily available.