Are you considering writing your Will using an online service? If so, it is likely that some of the reasons you would favour this option are the low cost, speed and simplicity of working online, rather than hiring a Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive to deal with this for you.
Is there a catch with using an online service?
Before using an online Will writing service, you should consider the purpose of a Will; the certainty that your affairs will be handled exactly how you wish them to be. Is this peace of mind possible for you if you write your Will with an online service?
One of the issues when it comes to writing your Will online is that it removes the human element that is crucial in the Will writing process. Often, an experienced Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive can notice and address any unease, confusion and concerns that you may have, or which are indicated just by your body language. Because personal circumstances and the state of your family can be complicated, the person preparing your Will must be made aware of all the complexities of your situation – this will enable them to provide bespoke advice tailored to your individual needs.
It is also noteworthy to state that most online Will Writers are unregulated, unlike Solicitors and Chartered Legal Executives. Therefore, if there are errors or ambiguity in your Will, your beneficiaries will have very few actions available to them against the company that prepared the Will. Furthermore, online Will Writers are usually not subject to a strict code of conduct, nor bound by duty or enforcement to act in your best interest.
Additionally, many online Will writing companies will require you to appoint them as your Executors and Trustees, meaning because of this they will charge your Estate an increased fixed fee and/or a value element, calculated based on the size of your Estate. If your beneficiaries were to ask them to renounce this position, they often either refuse or charge unreasonable fees – one company we asked charges a minimum of £7,000, just to renounce.
Below you will find a short summary of what can be expected when using the service of an average online Will Writer compared to the service of one of our experienced Solicitors or Chartered Legal Executives.
| Service | Online Will Writer | Circe Law Solicitor/Chartered Legal Executive |
| Face-to-Face meeting | No | Yes – included in fixed fee |
| Inheritance Tax overview | Sometimes – possibly with additional charges | Yes – included in fixed fee |
| Discussion about potential claims against your Estate | No | Yes – included in fixed fee |
| Advice on how to limit the success of claims against your Estate | No | Yes – included in fixed fee |
| Ability to choose your own Executors and Trustees | Sometimes – possibly with additional charges | Yes – included in fixed fee |
| Advice on suitability of Guardians for your children | No | Yes – included in fixed fee |
| Discussions about second marriages after the 1st death | No | Yes – included in fixed fee |
| Advice about the use of various appropriate Trust | Sometimes – possibly with additional charges | Yes – included in fixed fee |
| A draft Will for your approval | Sometimes | Yes – included in fixed fee |
| A detailed letter of advice to accompany your draft Will | No | Yes – included in fixed fee |
| As many amendments to your draft Will as you need | Sometimes – possibly with additional charges | Yes – included in fixed fee |
| Face to face meeting to sign your Will correctly | No | Yes – included in fixed fee |
| Secure storage of your original Will | Sometimes – possibly with additional charges | Yes – included in fixed fee |
Truthfully, writing Wills, even the simplest Wills, isn’t an easy task, nor should it be. As one of the most important documents you can make, a Will should be treated and written with the respect and care that it deserves. Although you won’t be there to see the consequences of a poorly written or advised Will, your Beneficiary’s Will. So, when deciding how you want to make your Will, decide how best you can provide yourself with that certainty and peace of mind.
