Spring D-I-Y projects shouldn’t include your Will

Published: 26/02/2015

Spring is traditionally the time for D-I-Y but that shouldn't include a D-I-Y Will. It’s tempting to have a go at making a Will yourself using a kit or an online template and apparently save some money but it’s easy to make errors that could have potentially disastrous financial consequences.

Putting a Will in place means that you can ensure that your property, possessions and precious keepsakes are distributed according to your wishes. Without a Will your estate would be subject to the Rules of Intestacy and so some of your dependents may not be provided for as you would have wanted. Importantly, writing a Will means that your family can avoid all the financial and emotional stress that intestacy brings.

Head of Wills and Probate Linda Cummins comments:

“Many people who understand the benefits that a Will can bring to their loved ones are put off taking action by the cost. For some the D-I-Y option seems like a suitable, cheaper alternative. What they don’t realise is that it’s very easy to make an error and the legal costs to correct that would dwarf the costs to have a lawyer write a Will for you in the first place. Failure to follow the strict witnessing rules could render the Will invalid and leave your family with all the stress of intestacy after all.

Poorly drafted or ineffective Wills can leave your family with problems at Probate – an already lengthy process can be delayed still further and again add substantially to the costs.

As with most things, so with Wills – you get what you pay for. A Will enables you to provide for your family and helps them avoid further stress and heartache at an already difficult time. Put like that, instructing a solicitor to make a Will for you is a small price to pay.”

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Content correct at time of publication