I want to change my will

[cab]

The solicitor wants more to do this than I paid for the entire will.
Whats the best way to do it ?

BARMAID where are you ?

[Eve]

Depends on what you want to change, if something simple then definitely shop around (or tell them that you are going too).

I'd query it with them the breakdown of what they are proposing to charge and for what considering it was cheaper to do the original will.

Might get a better deal due to the credit crunch, I've had lots of people bargaining on fees lately.

[cab]

Thanks Jenna.
Can I find out on the net or should I just ring around my local solicitors, I know you can get free wills with certain things like if you leave your money to cancer research, although this might not be the case any more. x

[Eve]

There are cheap will writing services on the net (even from WHSmith) but I've heard some bad stories about them and would be extra careful if you are changing anything to make sure it is all done properly.

You could either renounce your former will and make an entirely new one or change the original will by what's called a codicil.

Just make sure that the original and codicil is traceable if just altered (they can be registered) or the original is destroyed and a new will traceable if done that way.

Definitely ring around local firms. If a simple will then many firms have more junior (and cheaper) staff do them thereby keeping the cost down.

Tell other firms what you have been quoted by others, in the current climate they may well undercut to get the business - just make sure that you get someone decent.

[cab]

Thank you so much for your help.
I have never had to change one before but circumstances change.
You have given me much food for thought. xx

[buildersmate]

If you have relatively simple affairs, invest in the book Wills and probate, published by Which? Consumer Guides. My copy, reprinted in 2003 cost �10.99 from WH Smith.
From there you will be able to work out whether it is worth investing in a couple of hours of solicitor's time at �100 per hour, or whether you can DIY.

[Eve]

Depending on how complicated it is, it shouldn't cost that much for a simple new will or alteration and I'd definitely try and get a fixed fee quote backed up in writing (all clients should get a rule 15 letter setting out the proposed charges and basis of charging etc...).

Simple wills are really not hard to draw up and many can be done by cheaper junior staff members (our trainee does a lot of ours and only charges about �100.00 with a probably further discount if it is connected with another matter eg conveyancing).

Try a local up and coming firms, IT literate with lots of junior staff members and you should hopefully get some competitive quotes.

[bednobs]

http://legacies.cancerresearchuk.org/legal_pro fs/freewill_service.asp?fs=1
you dont have to leave them mney to take advantages of the free will service of cancer research (you need to be over 55 though)