Most people still prefer to ask a solicitor to write their will

The vast majority of people still prefer to ask a solicitor to write their will, according to new research by Will Aid.

The number of people consulting solicitors about their will has risen by 2% over the last four years. Meanwhile, the number of people using will writers instead has fallen from 17.9% in 2008 to only 10.5% in 2015. The number of people using banks and other organisations to draw up their will has fallen from 8.7% to 5.9% over the same period.

Will Aid says many people are unaware that will writers can practise without having proper training, regulation or insurance.

Will Aid Campaign Director, Peter de Vena Franks, said: “”It is evident both from research and from the popularity of Will Aid that the public prefer to use a solicitor to write their will, wherever possible. They are aware that with a solicitor you can be assured of a valid will and if anything does go wrong there is proper insurance and redress. This may not be the case with an unregulated provider and certainly isn’t the case if you write your own will.”

The Law Society has also urged people to make a will and ensure that they only use a fully qualified solicitor. A spokesman said: “Thousands of people die every year without making a will or without a properly drafted will.

“Dying intestate (without having made a will) not only means your final wishes will probably go unheeded, but the financial and emotional mess is left for your loved ones to sort out. This need not be your final legacy.

“Making a will is usually a very simple process but we urge people to use a qualified, insured solicitor because he or she will be able to spot the nuances that could lead to trouble later on if not properly addressed.”

Please contact Alex Deller-Rust or Josie Birnie if would like more information about the issues raised in this article or any aspect of wills and probate.