Will writing services in Maidstone – ensuring your wishes are carried out
When it comes to planning for the future, having a will is one of the most important financial and personal documents you will create. A will allows you to decide what happens to your assets after your death, and ensures your wishes are carried out. For many people, using a professional will writing service provides reassurance that their will is legally valid and drafted correctly. Maidstone is home to a number of experienced will writers who can guide you through the process and help provide peace of mind.
Why have a professionally written will?
There are several key reasons why choosing a will writing service such as those based in Maidstone can be beneficial:
Legally valid – A professionally drafted will is more likely to stand up to legal scrutiny if it is ever challenged. Using a solicitor ensures it meets all the necessary legal requirements to be upheld in court. Handwritten wills can sometimes be contested.
Tax efficient planning – Leaving an inheritance can sometimes have unwanted tax implications. Experienced will writers are up to date with inheritance tax rules and can advise on gifts and exemptions to reduce the overall tax bill for beneficiaries.
Name executors and guardians – The will allows you to appoint executors you trust to administer your estate according to your wishes. You can also name guardians for any minor children. Professional assistance ensures these important roles are allocated correctly.
Consider all assets – A comprehensive review of your assets like property, investments, business interests ensures nothing is missed and passes to the right beneficiaries. Complex asset ownership structures require expert handling.
Updating circumstances – Life changes like marriages, divorces or new family members may invalidate an old will. Regular reviews by a will writer keep your wishes in line with your current circumstances.
Clear instructions – Unambiguous instruction in a professionally drafted will reduces the chance of ambiguities, disputes or legal challenges between beneficiaries.
Value for money – The relatively low cost of using an experienced will writer pays for itself in giving you lifelong peace of mind.
Choosing a will writing service in Maidstone
There are a number of reputable options when looking for a wills and probate solicitor locally:
RWW Solicitors – Based in Maidstone town centre, RWW has decades of experience writing wills as well as assisting with probate and estate administration. Home visits are available and staff are friendly.
Kent Legal Wills – Offering fixed fee will writing from £99, this firm can assist will drafting and storage. Regular volume work keeps costs low while quality remains high. Meetings held in the local area.
Goodman Lambert – Part of a long-established regional firm, Goodman Lambert’s offices in Maidstone High Street provide full private client services including wills, probate and court of protection work.
Linsell Train – An alternative is Linsell Train, a small heritage practice in the centre of Maidstone. Personal service from experienced specialists focused solely on private client law.
Online services – For basic low cost wills, online providers like Farewill and Farewill Ltd allow do-it-yourself digital drafting starting from under £100. There is no personal guidance.
Important factors when choosing include experience, qualifications, flexibility of locations/home visits, costs, reputation for client care, and whether additional services like probate are offered under one roof. Many will writers in Maidstone offer initial free consultations to discuss your needs.
Key steps in the will writing process
Once you have selected a suitable wills service, the following key steps are generally involved:
Initial meeting – Discuss your requirements, beneficiaries, funeral wishes, property and wealth. Address any eligibility or tax issues.
Drafting instructions – Provide all necessary information about assets, beneficiaries, guardians etc for the draft will.
Draft will – The solicitor will prepare the first draft based on the information provided and statute of wills formalities.
Review draft – Check through the draft with your solicitor, making any necessary amendments. Clarify any points of confusion.
Signing ceremony – The final will is formally signed and witnessed according to legal requirements, with at least two witnesses present.
Safe storage options – Usually the original signed will is safely stored with the solicitors, while you keep a copy for reference.
Reviews over time – Life changes may prompt a review and possible amendment or replacement will years down the line.
By taking instruction carefully and drafting clearly, a professional will writing service provides all-important reassurance your final wishes are fulfilled after death. Getting it right also relieves pressure from loved ones having to deal with an uncertain inheritance situation later.