DIY wills can fall apart warns legal expert
17 June 2005
CONSUMERS should be wary of cut-price DIY wills, a leading law expert has warned.
Jackie Yates, conveyancing and probate advisor at premier Preston based law firm MWR, says people tempted to make wills on the cheap can easily fall prey to rogue traders and ultimately leave their dependants without.
On average it costs around £100 to hire a solicitor to draw up a straightforward will whereas simple forms are available on the Internet and from high-street retailers for as little as £10.
Yet the cut-price service can leave consumers lacking crucial protection leading to extra heartache in the event of a death.
All wills must be correctly dated, signed and witnessed by two independent people who are not beneficiaries in the will. Any errors in these crucial details means the document is void but it is a common oversight in DIY wills.
Jackie said: “A will is an important legal document and detailed thought should go into its preparation.
“The last thing anyone wants following the trauma of a death is to discover a will is not worth the paper it is written on.
“People often leave their main assets such as a house or bank account to someone but forget about things such as pension schemes and other savings.
“People should seek professional help so they have the piece of mind that everything is in order when the time comes.
“Wills you can buy off-the-peg may be cheap but if they are not filled in correctly it can cost far more to put matters in order later.”
Jackie Yates specialises in probate and wills and is based at MWR Solicitors of Cannon Street, Preston. She can be contacted on: 01772 or 0800 731 0717.
