Is your Will a slippery slope?

We have seen a recent rise in Will Writers offering cheaply prepared Wills online, and more and more people are taking matters into their own hands by preparing their own DIY Wills. 

An article has been published by the Law Gazette highlighting the increase in disputes that were heard in the High Court from 227 in 2018 to 368 in 2019, this is largely due to poorly prepared Wills.

‘It is important when preparing a Will that the lawyer is aware of your full circumstances to assist in the preparation of your Will.  Are there children from a previous relationship who you do not have contact with and do not wish to inherit?  Is there somebody else living with you who you do not wish to make provision for?  It is vital that this information is conveyed when preparing your Will so you can be advised accordingly and your Will can be prepared efficiently.’

We see a number of clients that inform us of Will Writing companies failing to ask important questions when preparing a Will. At Smith Partnership, we ensure that all of these matters are taken into account and a client is advised accordingly when making their Will.   

Often basic instructions such as the appointment of guardians for people with young children are missed, causing problems that could have simply been avoided. 

We would urge you to review your Will if you feel that this may have been the case during the preparation of your own. At Smith Partnership, we are certain that throughout the process, crucial questions are always asked, ensuring that your Will states your intentions clearly to ensure that your wishes are carried out.

Article written by Sarah Clark, a Chartered Legal Executive in the Wills and Probate department at our Swadlincote branch. To get in touch with Sarah about the above matter, please contact: 0330 123 1229