DIY Wills
You could of course write your own Will. In fact, high street stationary shops will even sell you a kit to enable you to do so. But whilst the low cost of these DIY Will kits may seem very appealing at first, the £10 you spend writing one now could in fact cost you a lot more later down the line when changes need to be made, or when your family need to go through the courts after you have passed. This can be very stressful for those that you leave behind, and during a time when they should be mourning, and having to deal with your estate using a Will which is incorrect, or worse invalid, will be that last thing you would want for them.
If your wishes are quite simple, for example you’re married and you wish to leave everything to your spouse or children, then a DIY Will may well be a viable option. However, even in these cases, you must bear in mind, children have “Legal Rights” claims on a parents estate in Scotland, even if there is a surviving spouse. When things start to get a bit more complex, for example if you’re not married, or you own a business or perhaps have assets overseas, then it would be far more sensible to seek out professional advice to avoid any mistakes.
The most common issue with a DIY Will is when it comes to witnessing the document. If the Will is not signed correctly it will be invalid, meaning your estate will pass in accordance with the laws of intestacy and most likely end up with your estate not being distributed as you would have liked. With this being the case, it is advised that you use a professional Will Writer to not only draft the document for you, but to also ensure it is signed and witnessed correctly avoiding any difficulties upon death.
If you live in Scotland and have not yet written a Will and would like to do so, we at Caledonia Will Writers are happy to advise on 0800 021 4570 or email info@caledoniawills.co.uk.
