Writing your own will can seem like a great idea until you come down to writing it. Composing a professional will is a lot harder than it seems unless you have the knowledge and experience or can find a great will writing kit. It also helps if you only have a few wishes and are only leaving assets to one person, such as your child or partner.
At the end of the day, writing your own will comes down to personal preference and whether you can undertake the task without confusion. There are useful guides online that can help, or you can always ask a professional to look over the will once it is finished. This can cost less than getting your will written professionally, but there are also ways to save money when writing a will.
Below is a thorough guide on the pros and cons of writing your own will, so you can decide which option is best for you.
Pro: You Can Do It From The Comfort Of Your Own Home
You can write your own will wherever you want, without having to travel to a solicitor’s office. This can be beneficial for those who are shielding due to COVID-19 or for those who cannot get out of the house. Some solicitors offer home visits if you do need help with your will. If you are finding it difficult to write your own will, you can also find solicitors that will help you write your will online.
Writing a will online means you can do everything over a video call. With the law in the UK changing since lockdown measures were put in place, you can even get your will signed legally over a video call. For more information on online wills, check out Elm Legal Services. They offer an online will writing service, without the time and travel involved when attending an in-person meeting. Online wills take the stress out of will writing and are a cost-effective solution to getting a professional will.
Con: The Process Can Be Confusing
When writing your own will, there is a lot of jargon that you need to understand, to make sure you write your will correctly. This is not as easy as writing down the assets you have and the person you are leaving them to. Wills must be written out in a certain way and if you do not make your intentions clear, you may even find that your will is not valid or could be misinterpreted.
There are DIY wills that you can purchase online or from stationery shops that have everything you need to write your own will, but these only tend to work if you have simple wishes. When it comes to more complex assets or passing down a business, a DIY will may only get you so far.
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Pro: Writing Your Own Will Can Be Cost-Effective
If you are worried about the cost of writing a will with a solicitor, you may have already looked into writing your own will instead. Usually, a DIY will costs around £15-£30, which isn’t a lot compared to using a solicitor. With this in mind, a DIY will may work well if you have few assets, and your finances are not confusing.
Although getting a professional will can be more costly, there are also ways you can bring this cost down. First of all, you can shop around for the best prices when it comes to will writing services, so you can get the best deal. If you are a member of a worker’s union, you may be entitled to a free professional will writing service, but this does depend on the union you are part of. This can help you get a professional will for less or for free.
Some charities help with will writing and all they ask for is a donation to their charity on your will. This is not mandatory though, so you can still use their services to get a will without donation, although it is definitely encouraged. If there is a charity that you hold close to your heart due to a friend or family member having an illness, you may want to use this to your benefit and donate to charity whilst getting a professional will written in the process. You should also look out for Free Wills Month, which usually runs in the UK around March and October.
Con: Your Will Could Turn Out Not To Be Legal
The issue with writing your own will is that it could turn out not to be legal. A DIY will can be difficult to follow, and the legality of a will like this is not guaranteed. This means if it turns out your will is not legal, it will not be valid, and your partner or children could end up having to fight their case when you die. This could be very stressful for them, especially when they are also dealing with grief. Most of the time, people are not aware their wills are invalid unless they get their will checked for validity by a professional lawyer.
This can cost the same as getting your will written by a solicitor, which means it may be just as much worth your time getting a professional will written. If there are lots of invalidities in your DIY will, you would have to start the process all over again too. The company who supplied your DIY will do not take any responsibility for the validity and legality of your will, this is something that is solely down to you. If you have a previous will that no longer portrays your wishes, this will would be used if your new will turned out not to be legal, which is something you may not want to leave to chance.
When writing your own will there are more chances of mistakes, such as missing a signature or date or spelling something incorrectly. You also need to be of sound mind when you make your will, so if you have a health condition that could affect this, it is best to get help from a professional will writing service. You can still be heavily involved with what your will says, a solicitor can just help make sure the will makes sense and is valid and legal in the UK. The government website can also help when checking if your will is legal.
Conclusion
Writing your own will can be a cost-effective solution if you are looking to save money. If you have relatively simple wishes and few assets, a DIY will may be able to give you everything you need. If you have a lot of assets or the process is confusing, it is always best to get a professional to take a look or help you write your will. DIY wills that are not written correctly could be invalid and not legal, making it harder for your family to get your assets when you die.
This guide can help make the choice easier for you, so make sure to do your research and decide whether writing your own will is the best choice.