Last Updated on March 19, 2024 by Nasir Hanif
The pandemic has pushed many businesses to offer their products and services online such as those who provide legal assistance. In addition, with the help of the internet, you can now do so many things DIY (Do-It-Yourself) style.
There are so many online resources that you can use as guides whenever you plan on creating something, and making your own will online is one of them.
With the help of technology, you may now draft your own will online, and you can do it in two ways. First, if your wishes are very straightforward, you can already create them without the help of a solicitor. For example, if you want to certify that you want to leave everything to your spouse or your children, you may choose this option.
Or, if your wishes are a bit more complex, you may want to have a solicitor’s help to draft your will. You may search online by typing will writers near me to get a list of the closest solicitors in your area.
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Benefits of Online Will Writers
Right now, you may still be thinking if it’s a good idea to consider legal assistance when writing a will. There are four main reasons why having an expert solicitor on your side is vital when writing a will. Let’s check each one below.
Provide you with trust and inheritance tax advice.
Experts solicitors are knowledgeable and skilled in their areas of expertise. Therefore, they can advise you on ways to reduce the tax that you will be paying should you choose to pass down your assets to your family members or direct descendants.
In addition, they can also give you a heads up if you need to consider having a trust to compliment your will.
Help simplify the probate process
The probate process is the entire process of sorting out a person’s estate after they’ve passed away. Their estate will include all of their money and possessions. It’s the legal permission needed to administer someone’s will or lack thereof.
A legal document recognised as a grant of probate gives the executor the authority to administer the deceased’s estate. So, if you are chosen as an executor in someone’s will, you need to apply for a grant of probate.
The administration process starts by determining the total value of the estate. This is a necessary step to check whether the deceased’s estate is liable for inheritance tax or not. Then, a grant of probate is utilised, and an inheritance form is submitted.
Once everything has been settled, your executor can pay the tax and outstanding bills, and the assets will be finally distributed according to the will.
Make sure that all your beneficiaries are considered.
When it comes to leaving a legacy, you will always need to consider all your loved ones. Therefore, having a solicitor can help ensure that all rightful beneficiaries, even stepchildren and foster children, will be included.
Ensure that your will is valid and executed correctly.
Your will needs to be checked by a professional to ensure coherence and validity. They can ensure that all your demands are carried out after you pass away. In addition, it’s also worth noting that your will can never be valid unless and until adequately executed, so you must be mindful of that.
Whether you are writing a will online or thinking of requesting online assistance, legal professionals will charge a fee. Usually, when you write a will online, professionals will charge a fixed fee of around £40 to use their system and software. But, if expert support is needed, you have to pay more, and it will usually be around £120 or more.
Once you have drafted a will online and checked and validated by a solicitor, you might ask how and where you should store it. It needs to be easily found when needed. In addition, keeping your will in a safe place gives you peace of mind that it’s secure, and you do not need to worry about it being lost or stolen.
It would be best if you didn’t hide it in your home or somewhere no one knows how to have access to. You may choose to keep it safe with a solicitor, a bank, or you may also consider a will storage company. Nowadays, many legacy firms offer a space where you can store it.
When you decide how and where you will store your final testament, ensure that someone you trust, such as your assigned executor, knows where it’s stored. You also need to give them access to it to carry out your written wishes correctly.
Even if you thoroughly understand the basics of drafting a testament, there will be some areas that you will encounter that may be a bit vague such as witnesses, lasting power of attorney and more. Therefore, having a professional on your side will clarify all these details for you.
Read also: What is Inheritance Tax and How It Works
