wills

[julian]

the wills in Spain are signed in front of a notary, how can I do a UK will? does it have to be legalised, or registered? or can it just be written on the back of an envelope and witnessed by anyone??

[gerryh]

You can write your own will which will be valid in the UK. Just needs witnessing by 2 witnesses at the time you sign it.
A quick Google search will provide plenty of guidance.
The main problem with a UK will is any body knowing it exists after you die, or which is the latest will.
Cheers
Gerry

[Devils Advocate]

As Gerry says you can do your own but my OH spends a lot of her time sorting a fair amount of these home made jobs out and often ones compiled by will writing factories when things go wrong........which they do believe it or not

If you're going to the UK then the going rate in none large city practices is circa 60-70 quid, or 120 for a couple inc. VAT, seems daft to do it yourself on advice from bar room lawyers or employing amateurs..........contrary to tales of it costing a lot more it's cheap............shop around.

The one flaw in the UK is that there is no central registry for wills.

[julian]

thanks for the advice, I really have no plans for a visit to the UK , so I´d prefer to save the trip if possible.

[scotty]

We have been quoted €250 each for our wills by our spanish solicitors. Does this sound right ?

[julian]

do it direct at the notary, without solicitors involved, they are not neccesary for wills, the notary will give you all the info and help you need

[gerryh]

We have been quoted €250 each for our wills by our spanish solicitors. Does this sound right ?

Total rip off.
As Julian says, go direct to the Notary.
All Spanish will have to be done by a Notary.
All a solicitor will do is accompany you to the notary.
Cheers
Gerry

[Beachcomber]

You may, however, need a translator as some notaries will not accept responsibility for the translation into English.

The notary I use regularly speaks perfect English but he insists that a translator is present if the person concerned cannot speak Spanish. He says that this is on the advice of the college of notaries.

[carlosandlinda]

That's far to expensive scotty,

2 years ago we paid our solicitor 120e for each Spanish will, with copy in Spanish and English.

[julian]

just collected my spanish will from the notary......total bill (including all the advice and explanation of what can be done and how to do it)............37,49 euros

[pilgrim2]

Same in Seville about 38 euros each as I recall and there is a notatry who speaks fluent English.

[katy]

I thought the OP was asking about UK wills? I agree with DA. wills can get complicated, my OH inherited a house from an elderly Aunt, will was written on an Age Concern template. Not going into details but it was messy! Prefer to leave it to the professionals.

[julian]

the OP was about british wills, but following posts also discussed how to do a spanish will, and how much it would /should cost.
I´m sure the original poster doesn´t mind spanish wills being discussed as well

[scotty]

just collected my spanish will from the notary......total bill (including all the advice and explanation of what can be done and how to do it)............37,49 euros

Would you mind sending the name of the notary and a contact number or adress by pm to me please ? Thanks.

[julian]

"will" do.....