Will writing services are rated for customer service in light of the risks associated with do-it-yourself projects

Poor wills can result in expensive probate battles, with many do-it-yourself companies avoiding responsibility

The emergence of DIY and internet will writing has changed how people make plans for the future. Regarding value for money and customer service, however, experts caution that these services are not all created equal.

According to the Funeral Solution Expert, nearly one in four (23 percent) consumers now choose to draft their wills using digital, do-it-yourself, or amateur techniques.

These platforms are quick and inexpensivesome cost less than £20 and can be finished in under 15 minutesbut they also carry a lot of risks.

According to a Freedom of Information request by the law firm Nockolds, attempts to obstruct probate procedures increased by 37% between 2019 and 2021, coinciding with the rise in do-it-yourself wills.

Every year, about 10,000 people in England and Wales contest wills.

With new complications surrounding inheritance tax laws that will include pensions in the estate for tax purposes starting in 2027, this number may increase even more. However, your loved ones' inheritance tax liability may be reduced with a well-written will.

"One of the most important things you can do to protect your loved ones is to write a will, and it needs to be done right," stated James Daley, managing director of consumer group Fairer Finance, which has rated will providers in a recent analysis.

"Too many online services present the procedure as quick and simple, but they don't warn of the dangers or offer any legal assistance.

Considering a will, which providers should you choose? We examine Fairer Finance's ratings.

Composing service evaluations.

According to the National Will Register, up to 3.7 million wills are written annually, even though just 53% of UK adults have made one. It can be challenging to select a will writing service.

At the moment, Fairer Finance has only two five-star ratings: Bequeathed and Hugh James.

The following list of risks should be understood, along with how writing services will fare in relation to them.

Dangers to the law.

According to Fairer Finances' market research, of the online will-writing services, Irwin Mitchell is the only one that makes this obvious on their home page. For instance, in almost all cases where legal advice is not given, it is not made clear during the customer journey.

Only three companies provide regulated legal advice as part of their services: Hugh James, Co-op Legal Services, and Bequeathed.

Complexity risk.

The complexity of estate planning has been increased by contemporary family dynamics, such as cohabitation, second marriages, and blended families, which frequently result in disagreements when wills are not properly drafted.

However, six providers that Fairer Finance reviewed failed to warn users or halt the journey when complexity was detected, making it unclear when a will might not be appropriate for clients with complex needs.

These six providers fail to warn users or halt the journey when complexity is detected, making it difficult to determine when a will might not be appropriate for clients with complex needs.

"Technology has made will-writing easier, but it has also brought significant risks," stated Daley of Fairer Finances. At the worst possible time, a will that is poorly written or invalid can cause families to experience stress, arguments, and financial loss.

"Our new ratings are intended to highlight those flaws and assist customers in determining which services are actually reliable and safe.