Making a will, solicitor or DIY ?

[Bluepete]

Originally Posted by Ed

revocation clauses, Intestacy Rules no revocation clauses. purposive approach: testator.

And that's why you should use a solicitor.

Pete

Christ, solicitor any day. Seriously, it's what £90. Having also seen the nightmare that relative executors go through in tying up an estate I'd also advise you specify the law firm's rep as executor too. It's hell, major benefactor is major benefactor because they're close, because they're close they're also good choice as executor - rest of family suddenly forgets all about the sad death of grandpa and are now questioning the executor (often their relative) over their actions.

What do you want to leave your loved ones - stress free life? Mortgage covered? An extra few hundred quid? Mortgage is sorted easily with insurance and properly solicitor drafted Will. Stress free life versus an extra few hundred quid is the choice - I figure I'd rather leave each of my surviving blood suckers less stress and appoint an impartial excutor who'll charge for the privilege rather than alienating my "preferred" relative from the rest of the family by saddling them with executor status.

EDIT: On the "is it worth bothering - I've got nought and no kids etc" question - I kinda think yes. I made my first one after a near bus/motorcycle interface situation and ok so I was working for a law firm at the time and got a freebie, but lawyer was good at pointing out a lot of things I'd not considered. Like my death in service insurance provided by the firm and worth a pretty penny, like "sure you want equal shares going to your siblings - what if they all die before you, what if one has kids, what about your folks? what if one of your (divorced) folks dies?" etc.

[Bri w]

MiniMatt also nails a good one.

Don't name a family member as executor.

[embee]

Like the others say, solicitor, just do it.

'Cos I'm a wrinkly I got a charity sponsored thing with a local solicitors, only cost me a few quid (I put a slightly involved bit in it, so added £25 or so, otherwise would have been free). The wording has to be just so, otherwise it's open to all sorts of contests, just not worth trying to DIY. My solicitor steered me round some potential issues, like avoiding naming charities with a "share", because then they could potentially contest the value of the estate, just state an amount and job's done.

You do actually feel better once it's done!

Maybe Ed can offer a will drawing up service for the org at a reduced cost dependant on the number of people interested?