Fast FAQs

Do I need a solicitor to make a will?

It depends on how much you own and how complicated your bequests are. If you own relatively little, and intend to make straightforward bequests, perhaps not, although in these circumstances getting a solicitor to draw up your will costs relatively little and will give you peace of mind.

In some circumstances you would be very unwise to draw up a will without a solicitor: if, for instance:

• your heirs include a child or children, or a disabled adult. In such cases, you may need to set up a trust for them, and appoint guardians;
• your heirs are elderly or ailing;
• your estate is likely to be worth more than £312,000 and you have no spouse or civil partner to whom to leave it, so that all the excess is potentially subject to inheritance tax;
• you want to leave specific sums of money, or items of value - perhaps sentimental - to particular friends or relatives;
• you own property overseas - particularly land (see question 19);
• you have fallen out with members of your family and want to exclude them from your will (see question 15): or
• you have dependents - if you do not make proper provision for them, they may be legally entitled to ask the court to make provision for them (see question 15).

Home | Site Map

Call us on: 0191 211 7777