Making a will

restive

I intend to make a will in the coming weeks. What do I need. I know i need a solicitor, but do I need witnesses? How much does it cost?

coylemj

Price varies, the solicitor will provide the witnesses, usually two of the staff.

The problem with bringing your own witnesses is that they cannot be beneficiaries so by definition, if you ask a 'friend' to come with you, it means they're getting nothing!

Make out a list of your assets and have a rough idea who you want to leave money and/or property to.

Marcusm

restive wrote: »

I intend to make a will in the coming weeks. What do I need. I know i need a solicitor, but do I need witnesses? How much does it cost?

If you’re going the solicitor route you will need nothing except instructions and money. The solicitor will provide the witness.

Zaph

Went to a local solicitor about 6 years ago and made a will. As mentioned above, the staff acted as witnesses. I think it only cost me about €80-90. Needed to make a change a couple of years later and that was only €50, so it shouldn't be ridiculously expensive.

restive

Does the executor need to be present? They guy who will be named on the probate?

Claw Hammer

restive wrote: »

Does the executor need to be present? They guy who will be named on the probate?

No. The intended executor does not have to be present.
When going to a solicitor it is useful to have a family tree prepared with dates of birth, full names, pet names and married names. Time and again people forget they have 2 nieces called Mary, forget that their sister Dolly is called Mary on her birth cert and so on. Famously, about 15 years ago, a woman left a legacy to Joan which the solicitors secretary typed John. The result was Joan got nothing from the will. it is far better to spell everything out so there is no room for confusion. When you are dead it will be to late to say, "that is what I meant"

Ghekko

Poor Joan! Wouldn't you be raging if that happened. I have given a list of names and addresses of beneficiaries. They better not move before I die!
Restive if your will is simply distributing assets - house, cash, shares etc - it should be fairly straightforward to word. If you have a business your solicitor will go through what you would like to happen to it if you die. You can also change it as your circumstances change in the years to come.

shar01

Also consider the age of your executor. When my grandmother made her will in 1994, her executor was a sprightly 45 year old.

Plus one on the formal first name.

coylemj

shar01 wrote: »

Also consider the age of your executor. When my grandmother made her will in 1994, her executor was a sprightly 45 year old.

I've no doubt that her (now 69 year old) executor still thinks he or she is as 'sprightly' as ever.

That's three years younger than the President of the US (God help us!)