Anyone can make his or her own Will and provided the Will is clear and has been correctly signed and completed, the wishes expressed in the Will can be given effect.  You may have read articles in the newspapers or seen programmes on TV concerning Wills prepared by companies or individuals who are not solicitors and who charge clients for these services.  This is quite legal.  However the articles and programmes have pointed out various cases in which the services provided were inadequate, inaccurate and sometimes incomplete.  There is little that the families who have sufferred as a consequence of this have been able to do.

The Justice Committee of the Scottish Government has decided to regulate non Lawyer Will Writers who operate in Scotland, and this is being done under the Legal Services (Scotland) Bill which is presently being discussed in the Scottish Parliament.  This is likely to mean that such Will Writers will have to have some form of training or qualification and be subject to additional rules before they can charge for their services.   This however will apply only in Scotland, but attempts are being made to get the UK Government to follow suit.  This will not affect anyone who simply wants to write his or her own Will - that will still be possible.

At James & George Collie we have lawyers who can provide you with accurate and up to date advice about the preparation of a Will whether it is a simple and straight forward one, or if it involves more complex matters.  We try and make your Will as easy to understand as possible.  We can also provide advice about Inheritance Tax and how it will affect your estate.

For further information please contact Forbes McLennan