Public still at risk from unregulated wills

The Times reports today that too many people are still having their wills prepared by unqualified, uninsured and unregulated ill-writers 180,000 consumers each year may be unprotected if their wills are found to be defective.

What many people don realise is that wills made by unregulated will-writers are often badly or negligently drafted and many will writers try to promote their most expensive products, which can cost vulnerable clients thousands of pounds. Because unregulated will-writers lack legal qualification, they may not explain the risk of taking certain decisions, such as placing your house in trust. With no formal regulation, no one has oversight of their credentials and their work, and there is no requirement for them to be insured, leaving clients and their families unprotected. Some unregulated will-writers infer that they are legally qualified when they are not.

By using a solicitor, you can trust that they are fully qualified, regulated and insured to prepare a will for you. You can check a solicitor credentials on the internet or phone our regulator to check. If you find yourself having problems, you are able to make a formal complaint about the individual or the firm, tour Ombudsman or to the Solicitors Regulation Authority. If there are problems with an unregulated will-writer then you have little or no protection.

It pays to do your research and make a well-informed decision about who you choose to draft your will, because if it badly drafted, it may cost your family their inheritance.

At Emsleys, our solicitors have years of experience in wills, probate and inheritance matters. We have been awarded membership to the Law Society Wills and Inheritance Quality Scheme (WIQS), the mark of excellence for wills, probate and estate administration.

We do not believe in a one size fits all approach and we always meet our clients in person to discuss their specific needs at one of our offices or in the comfort of their own home. And, for your peace of mind, many of our services are provided at a fixed fee.

To speak to one of our expert solicitors today, call 0113 201 4900 for a free, no obligation chat.