Following a total deble with a home made will by a family member, I decided to have my own home written one checked by a Will Writer.
It is a simple will, I have five adult children, and eight grandchildren age range 11 - 24 years My 'estate' is my flat, no mortgage, me the total owner, plus a few Premium bonds.
All I want is each grandchild to receive five thousand pounds when they reach their 25th birthday and all the rest to be shared out equally between my five children. They all get on well, and the older three will act as Executors (with their knowledge and agreement). All five have a copy of my existing home made will. No problems.
Three of my older grandchildren are what is known as gender-neutral This is their choice and I have learnt to always use pronouns like Their and they and not his/her, etc.
The Will Writer takes all the information over the phone and then sends, electronically a draft will.
I explained this pronoun thingie with regard to the paragraphs that named each of these g.children and the five grand I wanted them to receive. 'No problem' I was told!!!!
So I was rather astonished at received the draft will and on the first one of those named three written in bold were the words, 'No gender specific pronouns to be used' and after that with all three they used his/her and she/he.
So, I pointed out that the instruction was NOT tobe printed but to be kept to. Explained what each of those pronouns should be changed to and sent that. Lady writer phoned me - and told me that NO, they can't do those changed. I was bewildered - said it just needed changing - but then found out they do not actually write these things individually, just have set whole paragraphs they can use
She also did not understand why I would not accept it with those very gender specific pronouns, told me she had never heard of this previously. Not sure on which planet she resides!!!
We did eventually get this sorted out - but was pretty astonished at this.
