RUGBY Offices

Private Client Department, Address: 16 Church Street, RUGBY, CV21 3PW, Telephone: + 44 (0) 1788 579 579, Fax: +44 (0) 1788 570 949

Conveyancing Department, Address: 26 Regent Street, RUGBY, CV21 2PS, Telephone: + 44 (0) 1788 551 611, Fax: + 44 (0) 1788 551 597

Commercial/ Wills, Trusts & Probate Departments, Address: The Robbins Building, 25 Albert Street, RUGBY, CV21 2SD, Telephone: + 44 (0) 1788 579 579, Fax: + 44 (0) 1788 552 888

LONDON Offices

2nd Floor Berkeley Square House, Berkeley Square, London, W1J 6BD, Telephone enquiries: +44 (0) 2078876590, Fax number: +44 (0) 207 8876001

BANBURY Offices

Strathmore House, Waterperry Court, Middleton Road, BANBURY, OX16 4QD, General Telephone enquires: + 44 (0) 1295 270999

Panorama Highlights Dangers of Using Will Writers

In this week’s Panorama programme, presenter Vivian White highlighted the risks in using a will writing service. Many people are under the false impression a ‘will writer’ is a solicitor, but unlike a solicitor they do not have to undergo any training, have insurance, and are not regulated by any organisation which ensures that they conduct their activities in the interests of the consumer and provide some form of redress, if things go wrong. If they go out of business, there is little that can be done- sometimes the will cannot be found, even where charges have been made for storing it.

Andrew Poole’s wife, Suzanne used a will writer, but the will failed to include any provision for him, leaving the entire estate in trust for his stepdaughters. Caroline Bielanska, Chief Executive of Solicitors for the Elderly, appeared on the programme, and expressed concern that a spouse had not been provided for. The will writers appeared to have failed to advise on his right to bring a claim against the estate for inadequate provision. She said, ‘a specialist solicitor would have asked why a spouse was left out, kept a detailed record of those reasons and advised of the high risk that the will would be challenged’. Solicitors are in the business of giving legal advice, taking into account the client’s domestic and financial circumstances- it does not appear that Suzanne Poole received any such advice’.

The lack of regulation has enabled many will writers to adopt high pressure selling techniques which was illustrated in the programme, often offering wills for a low or discounted fee, and then recommending themselves to be appointed as executors, selling other services without full advice, such as transferring the home into a trust in an attempt to avoid care fees.  Terms and conditions can be poorly worded and difficult to understand. In secret filming undertaken by the BBC for the programme, an elderly couple was not told the details of charges which were confusingly set out in writing but then taken away by the will writer.

The fear of solicitors costs, prompts some people to use will writers. Elizabeth Young, Partner at Brethertons commented: “Solicitor’s are required to set out in writing the basis of their charges, and in many cases wills are undertaken for a fixed fee with free storage of wills and other documents.”  Recent research by the consumer group, Which? found that the average fee for will drafted by a solicitor was  £130, compared to a will writer of £107.

Elizabeth said, “This programme highlights the potential for getting it wrong without full legal advice and the need for proper regulation of will writers.  It can be very costly to undo after you have gone and can leave your family in disarray when they have to pick up the pieces as problems generally only come to light when you have died.”

Brethertons Solicitors act on behalf of individuals and more recently for companies with an initiative known as ‘Wills in the Workplace’ – creating staff Wills, at work.  Companies taking a caring interest in their staff have been helping them to create their Wills or Lasting Power of Attorney whilst at work.  A member of the Brethertons Private Client team visits the companies delivers a presentation and then meets with individuals regarding their personal concerns.  Many companies are taking advantage of this initiative and the very special offers which come as part of the package. For further information please contact Elizabeth Young on 01788 559501.