Online Wills
You don’t have to look far to see that there are a number of businesses and their affiliates who are wanting to make your Will online, or rather, allow you to make your own Will instantly online with an interactive programme and a credit card.
The cheaper internet Wills at around £20 or less simply rely on you to pick from a menu and fill it in correctly. Expect to pay double that, around £40, if you want a Will writer to look at the Will and approve it for you.
However, you may prefer to hold the lengthy discussions regarding the ins-and-outs of your finances face-to-face rather than over the ‘phone.
Some very complex Discretionary Trust and Nil Rate Band Inheritance Tax Wills can now be found on the internet. For more complex legal documents, download from
NetLawMan.
Beware of storage charges for your Will … as much as £13.50 a year … whereas your local solicitor might agree to hold it for free.
Also be aware of Wills that insist on specific executors … your beneficiaries may end up paying thousands of pounds for poor service. Always read the Terms and Conditions!
The Will packs that you sometimes come across gathering dust on the shelf in WHSmith have been around for some time … they were the cheapest 'internet' Wills of their time. The more up-to-date kits include a CD ROM with templates and notes. Check that you’re looking at the latest editions by searching
Amazon.co.uk.
Some people still prefer the reassurance of a book in their hand for advice, rather that squinting at a PC screen, so there is still some call for these packs, which can be much cheaper on-line. Just make sure that the instructions are followed carefully as it is very easy to cause problems with a squiggle or a rip.