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Solicitors
friendly, helpful, approachable, accessible
Wills and Probate
access law
offer a comprehensive and affordable Will writing service together with a full range of services on all matters of probate and inheritance.
Making a Will
The most important thing to remember concerning Wills is that it is better to make a Will than not. Many view making a Will as something to be "put off" or as somehow tempting fate; it isn't - you are highly unlikely to drop dead simply because you made a Will. There are thousands of Wills in storage throughout the country, all belonging to perfectly healthy people (whose minds are clear of the worry that should they die suddenly their loved ones might not be taken care of or receive what is due to them).
It is also important to keep your Will up to date. A Will becomes invalid if you subsequently marry (or re-marry). Beneficiaries may increase (eg. you may have additional children or grandchildren) or die and / or Executors may die.
If you don't make a Will, your estate will be disposed of under the rules of Intestacy, which may not be the way you intended. For example, if you are living with someone but not married to them (and have no children), your estate will pass to your parents or brothers and sisters rather than to your cohabitee.
What we will need to write your Will
Your full name and address;
The full names and addresses of all your intended Beneficiaries, Executors and Trustees;
Details of any specific bequests (eg. amounts of money, items of jewellery etc. etc.) and who should receive them.
If you want to leave a bequest to a favourite charity then you should provide the name and address of the charity. If you want to choose a charity then visit the Law Society's Gazette Charity and Appeals Directory at:-
This provides a categorised database of charities together with much other useful information.
We will then draw up a DRAFT copy of your Will for you to approve. This is in order to ensure that there are no errors or omissions. Once you have approved the draft, the Will itself will be printed.
Signing your Will
You must sign the Will in the presence of 2 independent witnesses (ie. people not otherwise mentioned in the Will as Beneficiaries, Executors or Trustees or their spouses). Our staff are happy to witness your signature should you so wish and no charge is made for this.
Storing your Will
Your Will is an important document which should be stored in a safe place. Make sure that those who need to know about your Will can find it (remember you won't be there to help them!).
access law are happy to store your Will for you at no extra charge.So how much will it cost?
Our prices are highly competitive. We offer reductions for existing* clients and couples who both make Wills at the same time. Prices quoted INCLUDE VAT.
single person: £85.00
couple: £110.00
single person, existing client *: £65.00
couple, existing client *: £95.00
* existing client means that access law have acted on your behalf in the preceding 3 months in a conveyancing or family matter.
Public Funding
You may be eligible for
Legal Help to make a Will depending on your means and circumstances.Home and Hospital Visits
If you are unable to come to see us about your Will (or any other matter) we can visit you if you are in the Southampton area. See our
Case Studies page for an illustration of a home visit regarding a Will.Wills by Post or email
We can draw up a Will for you based on your instructions sent by post or email and then send you the completed document by post or as an attached WORD document. There is no additional charge for this service.
Probate
We also deal with matters of Probate such as:
Administering estates (whether or not the deceased left a Will, despite the advice given here!);
Contesting Wills - a Will may be invalid if a person is not mentally capable of making a Will or has been unduly influenced in any way. The person must also be over 18 (unless in military service);
Disputes under the Inheritance Act (claims by dependants). If the Will is not invalid by way of mental incapacity or undue influence, it may still be contested by a dependant (eg. spouse or child) on the grounds that the Will doesn't make reasonable financial provision for them. If there is no Will, there can still be a claim that the laws of Intestacy don't sufficiently provide for dependant(s).
You may be eligible for Legal Help/Public Funding
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This page last updated 14 - Feb - 2007
Author: G. L. Hewstone
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