Stephensons Solicitors LLP has called for greater regulation of the Will-writers to match that of solicitors after BBC Panorama's Wills: The Final Rip Off? revealed the risks of using Will writers.
Stephensons is calling for a level playing field in the Will writing market to ensure consumers have greater protection against inaccurate or poorly drafted Wills, as seen on the Panorama investigation into the unregulated Will writing industry this week.
Olwen Williams, Partner and Head of the Wills and Probate team at Stephensons, said: “The Panorama investigation emphasises a problem that we have been highlighting for some time that there are severe risks to consumer in using unregulated, unqualified and uninsured Will writers. Unlike solicitors, Will writers are not robustly regulated by law, nor are they thoroughly insured (if at all) to protect against errors.
"Solicitors are qualified to write Wills, their obligatory insurance cover means that the client's interests are protected and they are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Should anything go wrong the client and their estate are fully protected. Will writers cannot offer that protection or basic competence."
Last year, a study by the Law Society found that many solicitors were being passed botched Wills that had been originally written by Will writers.
Olwen said: "Until there is greater regulation and protection for consumers on Wills, the best possible option to the public is to use a solicitor.
“Moves by some will writing organisations to impose a code of practice on their members is a small step in the right direction, but until there is an equal level of protection to clients irrespective of whether they are a solicitor or a will writer, the public remain exposed to the risks highlighted on Panorama by some will writers. We look to the consumer bodies to support in our drive for better consumer protection."
If you do not have a Will and need a solicitor to write one, contact Stephensons. The firm has recently launched an online Wills service.
For further information on Stephensons’ Wills and Probate services, please call 01942 774395 or visit www.stephensons.co.uk and use the link on the homepage to create an online Will and other Probate documents.
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Notes to editors
The latest edition of Legal 500 ranks Stephensons as a top 60 UK law firm and the fifth largest legal practice in the North West. The firm has 29 Partners and around 350 staff in six regional offices in Manchester, Wigan, Bolton, Leigh and St Helens.
Media information: Lianne Tracey
Stephensons Solicitors LLP
T: 01616 966 229