Everyone knows that most people who died in the UK last year did not have a Will in place. Many people think it’s a good idea to get a pack from a stationery shop, and do it themselves.
Whilst I agree something is better than nothing. Below are some examples I have come across of when DIY WILLS HAVE NOT WORKED!
• Not correctly signed by the Testator/Testatrix.
• Only one witness has signed.
• Will is not witnessed at all.
• Will is not dated.
• Executors have not been appointed.
• The one Executor appointed has died.
• The Estate goes to a person, who has already died.
• The Will is not clear as to what is being given.
• It is unclear who is to benefit.
• A specific property or item gifted no longer exists.
These are just some of the situations I have come across in my years of experience. Many of the above examples mean that the Will is INVALID.
If a Will is INVALID the Estate has to be administered in accordance with the Intestacy Rules.
In some of the above examples the Will may not be completely invalid. However, a Court Order will need to be obtained to sort many of these problems out! This of course results in extra costs and distress for your family.
So evidently a DIY Will is not all it’s cracked up to be! If you want to avoid the problems that a homemade Will can cause, give me a call.