What is the cheapest way to make a will?

enfield

What is the cheapest way to make a will? Do I need to have a solicitor? Can I do it all myself? May sound silly but I gotta know.
Regards.
Tom.

biko

For requirements of a valid will see this

Extract:
* The will must be in writing
* You must be over 18 or have been or be married
* You must be of sound mind
* You must sign or mark the will or acknowledge the signature or mark in the presence of two witnesses.
* Your two witnesses must sign the will in your presence
* Your two witnesses cannot be people who will gain from your will and they must be present with you at the same time for their attestation to be valid. The witnesses' spouses also cannot gain from your will.
* Your witnesses must see you sign the will but they do not have to see what is written in it.
* The signature or mark must be at the end of the will.

EC1000

Completely depends on what it is you own and what it is you want to do with it but as a rule of thumb......

Cheapest short term - DIY.
Cheapest long term - solicitor.

You can save a couple of hundred now as against saving a few (or several) thousand later.

Edit - just saw biko's reply. That would make the will valid, but what about tax planning, lapse, s98 etc. etc.

aoibhebree

http://www.makeyourwill.com/googlewills.htm?aiebcGn010G_EI_WILLS_1695

I have no idea of the legality or quality of these, but it might be worth a look!

Jo King

use a paper bag you have been given in a shop and then go to a bank and use one of the pens on the counters to write the will. That way you will not have the expense of paper and ink. If you go to the bank in your bare feet you will not wear any shoe leather in the process. Make sure not to leave, to anybody else, any of the money you will be taking with you when you die.You might be left short on he other side.

besty

EC1000 wrote: »

Cheapest long term - solicitor.

You can save a couple of hundred now as against saving a few (or several) thousand later.

I completely concur with this. While you could make a saving now by doing it yourself, the potential cost of cocking it up is massive. Also, your solicitor will advise you of the most tax efficient way of disposing of your assets etc. so for that alone you should seek legal advice IMO. It's your prerogative obviously but honestly, think long and hard before you make your will.

Quaver

OP, if what is intended putting in the will is fairly standard and simple e.g. leaving everything to one person, then the guidelines on the Citizens information website will be fine, and the Will will be valid.

However, if you envisage any complications either in the making of the will or after death, it is probably best to go to a solicitor.

Most firms do it for free anyway, shop around for one if your normal one won't.

enfield

Thansk guys and glas for all the adivce. I will let it all sink in and probably get a solictor in the end though.
Thanks again.
Regards.
Tom

Amazotheamazing

Funnily enough, one of the firms in Limerick is having a "sale" on wills, 80 euro a will for the next two weeks. The firm's name, iirc, is Alex O'Neill and Co. I don't work for them but they've had big posters up in a few shops in town.