Online Wills are only legal if you get them right, which can be easier said than done. It’s important to be aware that the companies selling online Will templates take no responsibility for the quality of the final product. For a document that has the power to shape your family’s quality of life for decades, it may be unwise to try and write it yourself unless you have legal expertise. An article from Forbes presented an interesting comparison between online DIY Wills and doing your own tax accounts – the author observed that if you write your own tax accounts and get them wrong, you’ll probably be able to work it out with HMRC, however, if you write your own Will and get it wrong, you may never know the outcome of your work but your family certainly will. And they may not be able to fix it. Without help from a professional Will writer, mistakes can be made that could invalidate your Will. We’ve had clients come to us after making an online Will, so we see first-hand the mistakes, the missing instructions and clauses, and the incorrect procedures. In this guide, we’ll discuss the complexities of making a Will and whether an online Will is sufficient to protect your family and assets.
Are Wills Complicated to Make?
Making your Will is not as simple as just listing all the assets you own and writing who gets what. There are plenty of instructions and clauses that will need to be included and written correctly to ensure your Will does what you want it to do and holds up in court across all scenarios. You should also use your Will to decide who should look after your children if you were ever taken from them and how their inheritance should be handled. It’s important to include instructions for what should happen if beneficiaries or executors were to die before you – if mistakes are made, or instructions and clauses left out, your Will could be invalidated or vulnerable to contention. If this happens, your estate may be divided according to intestacy rules, which can lead to unwanted outcomes. For example, if you were to die and your spouse was to remarry, some or all of your children’s inheritance could eventually end up going to your spouse’s new husband or wife. In short, it’s important you get your Will right to protect the people you love and keep your family assets in your family.
Is it ok to Make an Online Will?
If you have the time and the necessary experience to write a legal document, then an online Will could be a possible solution – but it’s still recommended you at least have it checked through by a professional Will writer so you don’t put your family at risk. You’ll need to understand the intricacies of writing a Will that holds up in court across all scenarios and be meticulous in your approach. If you want to save time and have peace of mind that your family and assets will be protected no matter what, it’s best to go directly to a professional Will writer from the start. A Will writer will get to understand your situation and wishes and then make a Will for you that covers all bases and is written accurately using the appropriate terminology and instructions. Your Will writer will also ensure you witness and sign your Will correctly – if you make a mistake during this stage your document will not be valid. Online Wills can be legal, but they are a risky (and time-consuming) business. Most of us pay for things to be done professionally from time to time to ensure they are done right, and there are few things more important to get right than your Will.
The Bottom Line
Online Wills are marketed as a cheap way to make your Will, however, the companies selling these templates take no responsibility for the quality of the final document. Unless you have the necessary experience, writing your own Will could put your family and assets at risk. Mistakes can be made, and important instructions and clauses left out, that could invalidate your DIY Will or make it vulnerable to a successful challenge. Using a professional Will writer is an easy and affordable way to ensure you make a legally binding document that does what it’s supposed to do.
At Michael Usher Wills & Estate planning we’ve been helping our local community for over 30 years. We’re regulated members of the Institute of Professional Will Writers, so you can be confident that you’ll receive a high-quality Will designed to protect your family’s future. Our friendly team is always happy to chat with you for free about your Will and answer any questions. Call us on one of the numbers below or book your FREE consultation here. We look forward to helping you protect your assets, your family, and your legacy.
Camberley: 01276 691979
COVID-19 Update
You are more than welcome to come into our office, but we can also make your Will remotely if you’d prefer – please read the article below to find out how this works.
