The Panorama programme shown on BBC1 on the 9th August 2010 brought into the public domain the risk of using Will Writing Services when making a Will.
A Will for most people will be one of the most important documents that they put in place, if not the most important. It is therefore essential to obtain appropriate advice when making a Will.
Many people are under the impression that a Will Writer is a Solicitor. They are not. They do not have to undergo any formal training. They are not required to put in place indemnity insurance in the event that they act in a negligent manner. They are not regulated by any organisation which is designed to ensure that they conduct their activities in the interests of the consumer and provide some form of redress if things go wrong. If they do go out of business there is little that can be done. On occasions the Will cannot be found even where charges have been made for storing it.
The lack of regulation has encouraged many Will Writers to adopt high pressured selling techniques.
We set out below some of the most important advantages of using a Solicitors:
- The client gets advice from a Solicitor who has undergone considerable training and is professionally qualified. You do not get the hard sell from a salesman.
- Solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and must follow the Solicitors Code of Practice and Solicitors Accounts Rules.
- Solicitors have to undertake regular continual training.
- Solicitors costs are required to be transparent. Their charges are no greater than that of a Will Writer. Indeed, from the writer’s experience, the Will Writer can and do charge substantially more than Solicitors for their services.
- Solicitors do not charge for storing Wills. Some Will Writing Firms charge substantial sums of money for storing documents.
The advice to anyone considering making a Will is simple. Always use a Solicitor.
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