upwards. Extra services, like looking after
your will, are often quoted separately. These
costs can add up.
There are also a wide range of charities
offering free will writing services but they
do hope for a donation, some are only avail-
able to the over 55’s and some are dependent
on local availability.
shares on the second.
The template should show you what you
need to do to make sure that it is signed,
dated and witnessed properly, and that your
old wills are revoked.
It’s important that these rules are
followed, otherwise there is a risk that your
homemade will be invalid.
The law about inheritances and how
WRITE YOUR OWN WILL
they’re taxed can be complex and things
The cheapest – and perhaps riskiest way might change between when you write your
to write a will is to do it yourself. You can
will and when you die. That makes it risky
buy templates online or at stationers’ shops. to write your own will without any advice at
Expect to pay as little as $20 for a basic
all. But you can do it if you want to.
template.
Robert Rhinesmith is a Registered Investment
This is only really a suitable option if
Advisor, Applewood Capital Management Asso-
your affairs are very simple. For example,
ciates, LLC.
if you’re married or in a civil partnership
and have children, and you want to leave
Excerpts taken from moneyadviceservice.org &
everything to the survivor of you on the
Turbo Tax Inc.
first death, and your children in, say, equal
www.himpowermagazine.com 41