While online and offline Will-writing services might appear to be swift, affordable, and convenient ways to prepare a Will, they often lack the expertise and comprehensive understanding needed for personalised situations.
For a seemingly nominal fee, you can have your Will created, signed, and stored in what may feel like no time. It’s an attractive proposition, but be wary. When it comes to leaving your home and/or business and all your other worldly goods to those you love and whom you want to benefit, you must give the job of writing your Will the priority, attention and care it deserves.
After all, making a Will is an important life event, and it can have life-changing consequences for those you love. Get it wrong, and you leave a financial disaster for your family to sort out.
Understanding the drawbacks of automated Will writing
The primary benefit of online Will services lies in their affordability and speed; it’s like the assembly-line version of Will writing. The initial savings might seem enticing, but the long-term implications can be significant, unfavourable, heart-wrenching and often financially disastrous.
Missing expertise and in-depth estate planning guidance
The potential for misinterpretation, vague, or outright missing advice on important areas like trusts, inheritance tax, or foreign assets can lead to unforeseen complications and costs in the future. We believe in the capability of a dedicated solicitor to provide expert advice. Solicitors like those at Slater Heelis ensure assets are dealt with properly, legally, efficiently, and by the individual’s unique circumstances and specific wishes. A Will that isn’t comprehensive (or has omissions) can lead to claims against the Estate or unanticipated tax implications. This is where the expertise, experience and personal touch are of extreme importance.
Verification: an essential step often overlooked
Many online Will services might skip or inadequately address the crucial step of verifying identity or assessing mental capacity (in relation to Wills referred to as “testamentary capacity”) and competence. Such oversights can give ammunition to those who might challenge your Will, potentially jeopardising the intended inheritance of your cherished assets.
The potential for added expenses
Certain online services, in their bid to offer “comprehensive” services, may suggest that they act as your Estate’s executor too. This could have a catastrophic effect on your Estate. Later on – and as a result – you may notice that they charge exorbitant administration fees that weren’t clearly outlined initially.
Transparency, a cornerstone of trust, is crucial. When appointing a solicitor, they ensure that expectations, roles, and fees are transparently communicated from the get-go. Unlike certain will-writing companies that might resist change, a solicitor typically respects the wishes and concerns of their client.
Moreover, storage fees with some companies can become very expensive, and if the company is not properly regulated, the Will safety becomes a game of chance. Solicitors, on the other hand, are mandated to ensure secure storage, upholding the sanctity and importance of such a vital document and are responsible for any loss arising from any failure to adhere to the high standards demanded by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (“SRA”).
Reliability and regulation
Qualified solicitors are proud to abide by the high standards set by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. They have to remain up-to-date with every change in the law and including every new piece of legislation.
They ensure that their advice is legally robust, ethical, and client-focused. If any issues arise, beneficiaries have the reassurance of appealing to the SRA for resolution. In contrast, many online Will writers might not provide such services, leaving you with less safety and a concerning potential for improper practice.
Estate planning: a delicate art and science
Effective estate planning is as much an art as it is a science. Automated systems, while efficient in some areas, often resort to templated responses that might miss unique nuances and specificities that are relevant to you. An expert solicitor, with their experience, understands these details, offering tailored advice that feels personal and empathetic. They understand the value of building and nurturing relationships, which aids in ensuring a Will is periodically reviewed and updated.
Securing Your estate’s future with confidence
Drafting a Will is an important journey, not to be navigated lightly or solely with the aid of impersonal technology. When weighing up the potential challenges and hidden costs, the clarity emerges that consulting with a seasoned solicitor is not just a wise choice but an essential one.
Even if our estate planning appears straightforward on the surface, there might be hidden details required that only an expert can put in place. A solicitor is trained to spotlight these areas and offer guidance, ensuring that nothing is left to chance. The added cost is a minor investment when you weigh it against the peace of mind it brings.
At Slater Heelis, our firm of solicitors prides itself on offering transparency, dedication, and unparalleled service. We guarantee that our advice aligns perfectly with your unique circumstances, ensuring that your desires and legacy are executed with precision and care. Your future, and the future of your loved ones, is a responsibility we don’t take lightly.
If you’re thinking of writing a will, our team comes highly recommended by our clients on the independent review site Review Solicitors. You can read some of these reviews here.
If you’d like to talk to one of our team, you can contact us on 03301113131 or fill out our contact form, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
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- Rosa Parks
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