‘DIY’ wills and the absence of lawyers

It is quite understandable that people may be attracted by the idea of preparing a ‘DIY’ will without involving a solicitor; or by the idea of using a cheaper unregulated alternative to a solicitor to prepare a will.

DIY wills can appear as a useful alternative to incurring expensive legal fees particularly where a testator’s assets are relatively straightforward. This is more so while the cost of living crisis drags on.

Likewise unregulated will writers can on the face of it appear to be much cheaper than using a solicitor to prepare a will.

There are however several pitfalls to both approaches.

DIY wills

Using pro forma will templates (which can easily be found on the internet) is one way that lay persons can prepare their own will without legal assistance.

However the case of Henrietta...