DIY mania has gripped Britain thanks to TV makeover problems, the desire to accomplish something rewarding and the empowerment that we all feel after a few hours of surfing the Net. But, one area in which DIY can be far more dangerous that hitting your thumb with a hammer is that of writing your Will.

Get it wrong and you won’t just be bruised, but bequeathing a potential nightmare for your bereaved and grief-stricken friends and relatives to deal with. Choose to overlook an obvious beneficiary, without explaining why, use words open to a different interpretation, or be ignorant of how the law operates in relation to your individual circumstances and your final wishes may become a DIY disaster.

Writing a will is a skill, not a hobby – or at least it should be. According to local will writing expert, BJWills, however, just as many legal loopholes can be found in wills written by unqualified will writers, or by the wills factories now springing up. It reminds local people that this market is currently unregulated and that there are many so called experts literally sticking a nail into the coffin of individuals who thought they were doing right by their family and friends by making a Will.

“DIY Wills and those drawn up by unqualified will writers may not be worth the paper they are written on”, says Brian Williamson of BJWills. “It is a terrible but true fact that, currently, a will writer does not need to have a qualification. Many people are misled into thinking their Will is sound, when it is not.”

BJWills, on the other hand, offers advice from qualified will writers who come under the strict regulation of the Institute of Professional Willwriters. This self-regulatory body offers membership only to those who pass its entrance exam, or an equivalent, undergo continuous training, have a minimum of £2 million professional indemnity cover in place and who abide by strict codes of conduct.

If you wish to do right by your loved ones, rather than doing it yourself, call the professionals at BJWills on 01487 831853

(Brian Williamson qualified as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executive in 1978- since then he has served 20 years in the financial services environment, and in January 2000 he founded his own consultancy for Will Writing and allied services. Brian is available for consultation and may be reached by calling 01487 831853 or e-mailing bjwills@btinternet.com.) www.bj-wills.com

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