Peter Levy, Solicitor in Astle Paterson’s Wills and Probate Department, discusses the recent BBC report “Change rules on wills, government urged” by the Legal Ombudsman.
Peter said, “As I previously stated in my article, “Changes to the rules governing what happens to your assets on your death” the Law Society are undertaking a Consumer Campaign “Use a Professional. Use a Solicitor” to encourage people to use a Solicitor to prepare a Will.
This is because Solicitors are qualified and insured to carry out the work on your behalf as opposed to “Will Writers” who can be a persons without legal qualifications.
The BBC report reinforces my belief that the best people to write Wills are either Solicitors or Legal Executives.
Whilst Solicitors and Legal Executives are subject to the regulation of the Legal Ombudsman – which means that if a client is unhappy with the level of service provided by either a Solicitor or Legal Executive then a complaint can be made to the Ombudsman – should a person employ a Will Writer or other unregulated person to draft their Will, there is no such recourse should things go wrong.
The BBC report confirms that “Around 180,000 wills are written by non-lawyers every year, and are exempt from the complaints handling body [and that further] … The Legal Ombudsman’s report … concluded that “all consumers of wills and probate service providers should have access to redress”.
At Astle Paterson we have Solicitors and Chartered Legal Executives who have years of experience drafting Wills for clients and who are able to spot and address any issues which could potentially cause issues after your death.”
Please contact Peter Levy of Astle Paterson’s Wills and Probate Department to discuss making your Will on 01283 531366 or by way of email at plevy@astlepaterson.co.uk.
Please click to read the BBC Report: “Change rules on wills, government urged”.
