When creating a will to document the division of an estate or assets, the tendency can be to look for a will writing service that is located close by. Historically the large majority of people have visited their town center or high street and prepared their will with a local solicitor.
In fact, the term ‘will writing services near me’ scores very high for the number of searches in Google’s engine.
This demonstrates that for those looking to write their will there is a common thread of seeking out a locally based service. But many are not aware that there are other options when it comes to making a last will and testament, that are still just as legally binding as traditional wills.
Why do we look for a will writing service that’s local?
As humans, we are creatures of habit, so the process of making an appointment at a solicitor’s office and attending a meeting is one that we are familiar and comfortable with. It could also be that we are simply copying the behaviour of previous generations, our father and our father before made their will with the help of the family solicitor, so we are doing the same.
There is also the matter of security, preparing a will is a serious matter and is a legal document, having the oversight of a professional can make us feel more assured that the process has been handled correctly and that the will has the guardianship of the law office to keep it completely safe.
For those that are preparing a will that has multiple beneficiaries, special clauses or complex legalities, we may also need to obtain the advice of an expert in a face to face meeting to navigate the legal landscape.
Online will writing service
Finding a will writing service that is in close proximity can help to address all of these issues, but although it may feel safer, there is actually no reason why your will cannot be prepared in other ways. Technological advances have made it so that wills can now be prepared online.
The speed and convenience of these services mean that in essence, you will always have a ‘will writing service near me.’ Preparation of a will can be performed quickly and easily from the comfort of your own home with a laptop or computer. For straightforward wills, the process can often be completed in under an hour.
In less time than it would take to travel to your solicitor’s office your will could be prepared and completed. Storage of your will is completely safe too with specialised encryption and security tools like those used by financial institutions protecting your legal documents. Multiple layers of security keep your will completely safe until it needs to be accessed.
There is no difference when it comes to the legal effectiveness of your will either. Once your will is prepared and signed it is just as legally binding as any documents prepared in your solicitor’s offices.
Advantages of preparing your will using an online service are:
- Speed
- Efficiency
- Legally Binding
- Secure
- Convenient
- Online advice
- Easy to amend
What about cost?
Will preparation with a solicitor can easily turn into an expensive undertaking. Apart from the time it takes to get to the office, the appointment and discussion with the solicitor will all come at a cost. In addition, there are preparation and administration fees to consider which can all add up quickly, even for simple wills.
Finding a ‘will writing service near me’, provides the option of preparing your will online and this can come with a much lower price tag than going the traditional route. Online will preparation is efficient, less time-consuming, and generally much cheaper than the old-fashioned method of will writing.
If you are worried about complex areas of your estate and think you may need legal advice then experts are on hand to help you and online knowledge bases can answer many of your questions quickly. Online will writing has been designed with the input of legal and probate experts to provide you with a fully comprehensive service.
Making sure that your loved ones are provided for in the event of your death can be as simple as logging on and completing information about the distribution of assets and beneficiaries. Completed wills can be printed for your records and because your will is stored digitally it can be retrieved and amended at any time, often at no cost.
Obstacles to using an online will service
While an online will service has much to offer in terms of speed, cost, and efficiency, there may be barriers for some people. Those who are uncomfortable with technology may find it difficult to create an electronic will. Or there may be concerns about security as the concept of keeping legal documents online may be alien for some.
Many of these fears and concerns dissipate quickly when people experience the online will service, and realise that the time and financial benefits quickly outweigh any apprehensions. Even so, it is important to make sure that the ‘will writing service near me’ that you select is a reputable website with full legal backing and adequate security features.
How to get started
Online will services can be accessed instantly, unlike waiting for an appointment with a solicitor you can begin writing your will by simply accessing your account. With Affio you can be assured that when you next look for a ‘will writing service near me’ we will be available 24 hours a day, and ready to assist.
We even give you the chance to try out our service and create a basic will completely free! So don’t put it off any longer, start your will today.
To begin your will preparation visit Affio to start the process quickly and easily. With our built in support and security features you will be able to create a will that ensures your loved ones are fully protected and provided for.