DOES YOUR WILL WORK?

Solicitors for the Elderly, a UK association of solicitors, legal executives and barristers who provide specialist advice, fears thousands of people are putting themselves at risk of being cheated by unscrupulous salesmen who offer to write their wills but who are not adequately qualified, trained or insured.

Recently the UK’s Legal Ombudsman highlighted dangers of using Will writing companies to make wills. The One Show also called for Will writing to be regulated to protect the public. A recent survey showed that 67% of consumers wrongly believe that all Will writers are solicitors and 82% of the 1,000 people polled thought that training and qualifications are required before someone can become a Will writer. In fact anyone can write a Will for payment.

Fiona Thomas a partner at QualitySolicitors Farnfields said, “Will writers do not need training and they are not regulated so if you choose a Will writing company to do your Will you are taking a huge risk. I have heard horror stories of clients who have used Will writers and then paid the price. It can be very costly to sort out after you have gone, leaving your family to pick up the pieces as problems generally only come to light when you have died.”

Many people make Wills when they enter their senior years and are targeted by Will-writing companies who often apply high-pressure selling techniques, offering wills for a low or discounted fee, then recommend themselves to be appointed as executors, selling other services without full advice, such as transferring the home into a trust in an attempt to avoid care fees. Terms and conditions can be poorly worded and difficult to understand.

Solicitors for the Elderly recommend that if you have been contacted by any Will writing company you should seek a second opinion from a qualified solicitor specialising in will writing. 

For further advice contact us on any of the telephone numbers below.

QualitySolicitors Farnfields – Gillingham 01747 825432

QualitySolicitors Farnfields – Shaftesbury 01747 854244
 

QualitySolicitors Farnfields - Sturminster Newton 01258 474270

QualitySolicitors Farnfields – Warminster 01985 24661