09 March 10
In a recent article published in the Law Society Gazette research by the Fellowship of Professional Will Writers and Probate Practitioners revealed that 67% of consumers wrongly believe that all Will Writers are solicitors. The truth is that Will Writers are not required to hold any formal qualifications at all; currently anyone can provide a Will Writing service. Very few people are aware Will Writers were not required to be professionally qualified. From a survey of more than 1,000 people, 82% of them assumed that training and qualifications are required before someone can become a Will Writer.
A further point to consider in relation to Will Writers is that they do not have to have insurance to cover the evenuality that loss is caused to beneficiaries due to negligence in the preparation of a Will. The lack of necessity for insurance is particularly worrying when research conducted by The Law Society showed that vulnerable people are being left without adequate provision as a result of ‘nightmare’ Wills prepared by unregulated Will Writers.
Lord Hunt of Wirral expressed concerns about the unregulated ‘fringe legal market’ in Will Writing in his review of legal services last October. He called for Will Writing to become a regulated activity.
If you have concerns about a Will prepared by a Will Writer, please contact Nia Wharry on Tel: 01256 320 555 for further advice.
