Free and Discount Cost Will Writing

Transcription

1 Free and Discount Cost Will Writing Free Wills Month in England and Wales Every March and October it's Free Wills Month. It offers - as the name suggests - free wills. But to get one you must be aged 55 or over. It also tours the country - it had 29 locations in England & Wales during October You must enter your postcode during March or October on the Free Wills Month website. The website will list solicitors close to you who are taking part (if there are any). You can call directly to book your Free Wills appointment. You don't have to live in one of these areas to qualify, but you will be expected to travel to the solicitor's office for your appointment. This is an opportunity for you to get a free will, drafted by a solicitor. Normally, you could pay 150 or more (plus 20% of the cost as VAT) for even the simplest will. The scheme covers simple wills - so if your affairs are complex, your solicitor's likely to ask you to pay a contribution to cover the extra time they spend writing your will. Who's it for? People aged 55 and over When is it? March and October Where is it? England & Wales Who writes the will? External Solicitor

2 Individual Charity Schemes - Nationwide Most individual charities that operate free will- drafting services do it in the hope of a bequest (a donation in your will). This has the advantage that you needn't pay now, it'll come out of your estate and it's inheritance tax- deductible. If you have a particular charity in mind that you'd like to leave a gift to, check with it whether it runs a scheme of its own. There are a number of charities signed up to the National Free Wills Network that also offer free simple wills - usually for charity members and over- 55s. The charity will usually check that you have donated to them in the past, or are a member, to be eligible for the free will. Each charity's offering is slightly different so ensure you read up. The following charities are signed up and will offer a free simple will prepared by a solicitor: Amnesty International, Alzheimers Research UK, British Academy, Children with Cancer, CIWF, Dignity in Dying, Guide Dogs, Independent Age, Liberty 80, Oxfam, Royal Voluntary Service, Shelter, Soil Association, The Children s Hospital, The Stroke Association, Cancer Research UK and Tenovus Cancer Care. When is it? All Year Round Where is it? Nationwide Who writes the will? Solicitor Donation asked for? Free

3 Will Aid Nationwide in November Will Aid is a UK- wide scheme which runs on an annual basis in the month of November. Will Aid teams up with over 1,000 solicitors to provide basic wills. One of its main advantages is it doesn't impose a minimum age on who can get a will. There's no set fee but Will Aid hopes you'll make a donation of around 95 for a single will ( 150 for a couple). To participate in Will Aid, follow three simple steps: 1. Put your postcode in the Will Aid website or phone to find your nearest participating solicitor 2. Contact it to arrange an appointment, stating you're calling as part of the Will Aid scheme. You could then use its will planner to prepare for the meeting. 3. Before you go to the appointment, donate via the Will 4. Aid website, and take a print out of the receipt with you when you go (or you can donate once you're at the solicitor's) The money donated is split between ActionAid, Age UK, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, Save the Children UK, SCIAF, Sightsavers, and Trocaire. In 2014 it raised 1.7 million for the charities. Solicitors participate primarily to help the charities, though of course it does bring in potential new customers as well. Usually, this is a very efficient system however to avoid disappointment, we recommend booking early. Booking opens in the first week of September. You also get free will registration (to make it easy for your family to find your will) via Certainty National Wills Register When is it? November Where is it? Nationwide Who writes the will? External Solicitor Donation asked for? 95 single, 150 joint

4 Which? Wills Nationwide Which? Offers an online will- writing service with single wills costing 109 and joint (mirror) wills 179 until May Which? Wills highlight that their will writing service may not be suitable for those with overseas property, planning to emigrate, wanting to include a business in the will or not wanting to leave a jointly- owned property to the other owner. If you create a will through Which? you're asked questions online about your personal situation (you can call for telephone support on ) and an electronic document is sent to a wills specialist to be checked. The document is sent back to you seven to 10 days later and you can print and store the will. Where is it? England, Scotland, Wales and NI Who writes the will? Template checked Costs: Single 109, Joint 179 (discounts often available)

5 Saga Offers Discounts to Existing Customers Saga's Wills & Estate Planning Service provides a fixed fee will writing service for people aged 50 or over. It has different services on offer, depending on the complexity of your will. Saga's prices start at 99 (incl. VAT) for a simple, single will drawn up by a solicitor ( for joint wills). If you want a more complex will, call Saga for a price quote. Saga customers get a discount. For example, if you own a Saga Home Insurance Policy with added legal expenses cover, you are eligible for a 20% discount plus a further discount for the online will included in your legal add on cover (valued at for a single will and for a joint will). Saga Motor Legal Add On customers are also entitled to a 20% discount. Saga will also print, binds and store your will for free. Call to start your will application or apply online. Who's it for? People aged 55 and over Where is it? England and Wales Who writes the will? Solicitor Costs: Single from 99, Joint from ARCHBISHOPS COUNCIL