Why you should get professional advice!
The Heir Hunters programme shown on the 25th March 2011, has unfortunately illustrated why you should ONLY get your Will drafted by a professional.
The case that was highlighted related to a person who intended to write a Will, and had a Will put in place with the assistance of a firm of accountants. All the intended beneficiaries of this Will, were under the impression, along with the Testator, that all was in order.
When the Testator died, it became apparent that the Will had not been executed correctly. This meant that the Will was invalid and so the Estate was Intestate.
The result was that the “family” who had been the intended beneficiaries did not receive the Estate. Those who did benefit were unknown to the deceased, which caused immense upset and distress to the deceased’s family.
This evidently was a clear case of negligence. However, as the firm with whom the document had been drawn up no longer existed. It is unlikely that the disappointed beneficiaries will be able to seek re-dress.
This situation demonstrates why you should only use a professional Will Writer. More importantly if you use a member of a professional body they will have full Indemnity Insurance. So if something goes wrong you and your intended beneficiaries are protected!