Last Will and Testament Form

My Dad wrote his on a piece of lined paper with a red margin.
It was very simple. Left everything to mum and if she had died first then everything was to be split equally between us, his children.
We didn’t have any problems.

As an only child, my Dad hand wrote his will on a WHSmith Last Will and Testament Document, after my Mum died. He hadn’t much to leave and his Bank issued a cheque to me to close his account on seeing his Death Certificate and Will.

Thanks everyone for your advice which I will relay to my neighbour and check out Lawpack.

I have used Lawpack: www.lawpack.co.uk/

They are very clear and easy to use, and step-by-step indicate when you need to go to a solicitor.

My own opinion is that if your will is very straightforward, then Lawpack are fine.

I have had 4 wills in my life: the first when just married, was a WH Smith form. The second and fourth, in which I needed to consider young children and grandchildren, were done by a solicitor. The 3rd, when my children were adult (but no GCs) was Lawpack.

I have helped to execute 2 wills. One was an old WH Smith, kept up-to-date, and was clear and easy.
The other, done by a solicitor but not kept up-to-date, was a nightmare, mainly because of tracking down people who were dead or had moved several times, including the solicitor's firm which had undergone a lot of changes!
We now review our wills every New Year!

I agree- the forms are a waste of money. I used a local solicitor several months ago and paid £108:00. I could have got it cheaper but sometimes they add costs on. Make sure any quote is a final fee so shop around for what you think is the best deal.

In all honesty if she's going to a solicitor she wont need a form - they will guide her through the whole process and unless she has a very complex estate she wont need much information other than her intentions regarding the distribution of her assets.

You could try looking for a list of things to consider before making a will rather than an actual form if her main concern is to feel prepared.