Write your own will packs

[lise08]

If I bought a will writing pack and wrote out 2 mirror wills would it be a legal document?

I really need to have a will as I have just had a baby (need to state guardianship) but I really can't afford the mega prices to have a will written.

The pack costs around �18 but don't want to bother if it's not going to be worth the paper it's written on!

Thanks!

[dzug]

Provided it was witnessed correctly then yes it would be valid and legal.

Only problem is that what you write may not legally have the meaning you intend.

You don't actually need a pack. With the aid of the Which (or similar) guide you can do the whole thing yourself

[Buenchico]

Any will which is properly signed and witnessed is valid. You don't need a will pack. You can simply write it on any piece of paper.

However a will solely determines what will happen to your estate. You can also specify what you would like to happen in regard to other matters but what you write is not legally binding.

For example you could state that you wish to be buried rather cremated. However, even if you'd actually paid for your burial in advance, there would be absolutely nothing to prevent your relatives having you cremated.

Similarly you can indicate that you'd like guardianship of your child to go to, say, your sister. But your sister would still be entitled to refuse, or the 'authorities' (i.e. Social Services) could still seek to make [what they might regard as] better alternative arrangements.

The 'Which?' guide, referred to by Dzug ('Wills and Probate' , available in most public libraries) is an excellent guide to writing your own will, without paying a penny. But, as Dzug states, don't expect a will to do things that it can't.

Chris