Everyone Is Offering Will Writing These Days… But Which Service Is The Best?
You've worked tirelessly all your life to build your wealth, look after your family, and secure a comfortable lifestyle. But have you done everything to protect your loved ones when you're no longer around? If you don't have a will, the answer is a resounding NO.
End of life decisions are something that many people choose to postpone, often until it's too late. The fact is, the vast majority of Britons are unprepared when it comes to having an up-to-date will. This lack of preparedness not only impacts the individuals themselves but also their loved ones who are left to navigate the aftermath.
With various legal documents, we can protect and secure our assets to our heart's desire. One such document is a will, the legal tool that lays out the disposition of our assets after our death. Wills are a critical part of estate planning. They allow our assets to be distributed in accordance with our wishes.
The term "will" comes from the Old English term "willan," meaning to wish or desire. That’s essentially what it does. It puts into legal action our desires for our assets, including our properties, investments, and personal belongings. So much of our legacy relies on this will. If we don’t have one, our assets may not be distributed as we wish.
Did you know that there are actually 7 different types of wills in the UK?
- Single WIlls - A single will is a commonly used document that allows individuals to specify how they want their estate to be distributed after their death. It's suitable for unmarried individuals or those with different wishes from their partners. You can outline how your assets will be divided among chosen beneficiaries, ensuring your wishes are legally binding.
- Mirror Wills - Mirror wills are popular for couples with the same asset distribution wishes. Each partner has a separate will, but the contents mirror each other. They provide a straightforward way to pass on the entire estate to the surviving spouse and distribute the estate according to instructions once both partners pass away. Mirror wills can also include requests for personal items.
- Trust Wills - Trust Wills: Trust wills offer flexibility and address complexities
- Discretionary Trust: Allows part or all of the estate to be left in a trust, managed by trustees who determine how and when beneficiaries receive the contents. Useful for young or financially incapable beneficiaries and protection from creditors.
- Property Trust: Enables someone to benefit from a property while preserving it for another beneficiary. Useful for passing the property to children while allowing a spouse to live in it.
- Flexible Life Interest Trust: Protects assets while providing income to a surviving spouse for life, with assets passing to other beneficiaries upon their death. Offers flexibility in fund availability, including care home fees.
- Living Will - Living Will (Advance Decision): Outlines medical treatment wishes if you can't communicate. Legally binding, ensuring healthcare professionals follow your documented preferences, such as life-sustaining interventions. Provides peace of mind for aligning healthcare choices with personal beliefs.
- Joint Will - A joint will is a single document created by a couple to outline their shared wishes for asset distribution. It combines both individuals' instructions into one comprehensive document. Joint wills are used when couples have identical wishes for their estate and are generally irrevocable after the death of one spouse.
Understanding the Importance of Creating a Will
Many people believe that if they have enough assets or a solid relationship, they don't need to worry about creating a will. However, the truth is that regardless of your circumstances, having a will is essential to ensure your wishes are carried out after your passing. Let's explore why will writing is important in a simple and informative manner.
Asset Distribution: A will allows you to clearly state how you want your assets, including property, savings, investments, and personal belongings, to be distributed among your loved ones. It ensures that your hard-earned assets go to the people you care about and can prevent disputes among family members.
Guardianship for Children: If you have children who are minors, a will enables you to appoint a guardian of your choice to take care of them if both parents pass away. This provides peace of mind, knowing that your children will be cared for by someone you trust and who shares your values.
Avoiding Intestacy Laws: Without a will, your estate will be subject to intestacy laws, which vary by jurisdiction. These laws determine how your assets will be distributed, often following a predetermined formula. By creating a will, you retain control over who receives your assets and can avoid the complications and potential disagreements that may arise from intestacy.
Funeral and Burial Wishes: A will can include instructions regarding your funeral arrangements, burial or cremation preferences, and any specific wishes you have for your memorial service. This ensures that your loved ones are aware of your desires and can honor them accordingly.
Which Type of Will is Best For You?
Online Will Writing Services
Online will writing services offer a convenient and cost-effective way to create a will. These companies provide online platforms or software that guide individuals through the process of drafting their wills. They typically offer templates, step-by-step instructions, and legal guidance to ensure the document is properly prepared. Online will writing services are suitable for individuals with straightforward estate planning needs and who prefer a do-it-yourself approach.
Solicitors/Law Firms
Solicitors or law firms specializing in will writing offer professional legal services to individuals and families. They have expertise in estate planning and can provide personalized advice and guidance throughout the will writing process. Solicitors ensure that the will meets all legal requirements and can assist with complex estate planning situations, such as trusts, tax planning, and business succession. They are suitable for individuals with more complex estates or specific legal concerns.
Estate Planning Consultants
Estate planning consultants are professionals who specialize in assisting individuals with comprehensive estate planning. They provide advice and guidance on will writing, along with other aspects of estate planning, such as inheritance tax, asset protection, and wealth management. Estate planning consultants often work closely with solicitors and other professionals to create a holistic plan tailored to the individual's needs. They are suitable for individuals with substantial assets, complex family situations, or specific financial goals.
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: All Will Writers Are NOT Created Equal
Choosing the right will writing, probate, and estate administration service can feel like a tough task. Here's a simplified, digestible guide to help you:
Reliable providers make their credentials clear, along with the quality of their services:
- They show off their certifications and follow a code of conduct
- They're skilled at writing wills and handling estates
- They take advice from the Legal Ombudsman
- Their solicitors get proper training
- They're fair and transparent about pricing
- They offer a comprehensive suite of services
- They have a strong track record, backed by positive reviews
- They provide a personalised service, tailoring their assistance
- They communicate clearly and promptly
- They demonstrate a commitment to continual improvement
- They have British call centers, you can get hold of them
Unfortunately, not all will writing companies uphold the necessary standards, leading to potential issues and unsatisfactory experiences. Consider the following drawbacks:
- Inadequate Training: Some companies lack proper training for their solicitors, resulting in subpar knowledge and understanding of will writing and estate handling.
- Lack of Accreditation: Unreliable providers may operate without the necessary certifications or accreditations, raising concerns about their credibility and expertise.
- Poor Customer Service: Companies with a bad reputation often provide inadequate customer service, including delayed responses, unhelpful advice, or difficulty in contacting them.
- Hidden Costs: Dishonest providers may not be transparent about additional fees, leading to unexpected financial burdens and dissatisfaction with the overall service.
- Inflexible Options: Certain companies offer limited choices and fail to tailor their services to meet individual needs, potentially overlooking critical aspects of a comprehensive will.
- Inconsistent Communication: Unreliable providers may exhibit a lack of communication, causing confusion, delays, and frustration throughout the will writing process.
THE UGLY - UNETHICAL PRACTICES, LACK OF INTEGRITY
In the will writing industry, there are unfortunate instances where companies prioritize profits over ethical conduct. Stay cautious of the following red flags:
- Exploitative Pricing: Unscrupulous companies may charge exorbitant fees for their services, taking advantage of vulnerable individuals during a time of emotional stress.
- Pushy Sales Tactics: Some providers resort to aggressive and manipulative sales techniques, pressuring clients into purchasing unnecessary or unsuitable will writing services.
- Lack of Confidentiality: Companies with poor ethics may not prioritize client confidentiality, potentially compromising sensitive personal information included in wills.
- Unauthorized Sharing of Information: Untrustworthy providers might share client data without consent, leading to privacy breaches and potential misuse of personal details.
- Unreliable Service Delivery: Certain companies fail to fulfill their promises, resulting in delays, errors, or incomplete wills that do not accurately reflect the client's intentions.
- Unlicensed Operations: Be cautious of providers operating without proper licenses or accreditation, as they may not adhere to legal regulations and professional standards.
Estate Guardian
Simpler Wills
The Planning Bee
Beyond Life
Simpler Law
1. Collagen MCT by Primal Harvest
Pros
- Made in the EU with premium quality bovine collagen
- Diverse amino acid profile to boost your health and energy
- Unflavored, easiest-to-dissolve powder
- Made from certified grass-fed and pasture-raised bovine
- 30 day money-back guarantee
- The brand offers a hassle-free subscription service
- Limited time 20% discount
Cons
- Only available online
- Sometimes runs out of stock
The Bottom Line
Collagen MCT by Primal Harvest is sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine. It provides key collagen types I and III in a highly absorbable form to support healthy hair, skin, nails, joints, bones, and gut. It also contains Solugel Ultra BD and MCT from coconuts.
This formula dissolves quickly and easily. This makes it convenient to stir into any liquid of your choice, from your morning coffee to smoothies and juice. You can even shake it in a shaker for when you're on-the-go. Each scoop provides you with 10g of ultra-premium hydrolyzed collagen and is packed with amino acids.
We have no doubt about its quality and efficacy. Backed by scientific research, top-notch ingredients and a money-back guarantee, Primal Harvest's Collagen MCT is hands down our #1 collagen supplement of choice.
Collagen MCT's pricing stands out, especially when you buy multiple bags at once. Not only does this save you money and effort but since continued use over months is recommended to achieve the maximum benefits, It makes getting your daily collagen hassle-free, plus you never have to worry about running out halfway through the month.
2. Revive Collagen by Revive
Total Ranking
Grade
Pros
- Contain Hyaluronic Acid
- Type 1 Hydrolyzed Collagen (Marine)
- Aloe Vera Juice
Cons
- Does not contain any other collagen type
- High price point
- Does not contain a complete amino acid profile
The Bottom Line
Revive Collagen - Hydrolysed Marine Collagen Drink is our number two pick. These flavored collagen packets are formulated from type I hydrolysed marine collagen to support skin.
Each packets contains 8.5 g of hydrolyzed collagen which can easily be added to any liquid of your choice, making this collagen supplement easy to add to your daily routine.
Our team liked the fact that these collagen packets were easy to take on-the-go however we found that formula lacked crucial ingredients needed to support other areas of the body. Unfortunatley, Revive Collagen does not contain a complete amino acid profile and only contain type I collagen. The short ingredient label paired with the high price point left Revive at number 2 on our list.
3. Collagen Peptides by Vital Proteins
Total Ranking
Grade
Pros
- Made in the USA
- Gluten and dairy-free
- Certified grass-fed bovine collagen
Cons
- High in sodium
- Does not contain a scoop inside
The Bottom Line
Collagen Peptides by Vital Proteins is formulated with 20g of grass-fed and pasture-raised collagen.
Like our number one choice, Collagen MCT by Primal Harvest, the Vital Proteins formula is easy to use. However, it falls into third place because they do not specify which type of collagen their Collagen Peptides contain. This may mean that it won't meet the needs of all consumers.
Although this unflavored formula is a solid choice for a collagen, it was disappointing that it has a relatively high sodium content. This is definitely not ideal for those watching their sodium intake. It also makes the product less versatile.
Additionally, this product does not contain a scoop which can cause confusion for many customers when trying to measure their collagen everyday.
4. Absolute Collagen by Maxine Laceby
Total Ranking
Grade
Pros
- Contains Vitamin C
- Contains Type I hydrolysed collagen (Marine)
Cons
- Expensive entry price point
- Many customers complained of poor taste
The Bottom Line
Maxine Laceby's Absolute Collagen comes in at number four on our list. It contains 8g of hydrolyzed marine collagen per scoop. Their collagen is sourced from freshwater Basa Fish. Like our top choice, it does not contain gluten, soy, or lactose.
We liked that it had easy packets to bring on-the-go. Although it dissolved fairly easily into cold drinks, we still found that it took longer to dissolve than other collagen powders we tested. Many consumers also reported that the taste was fishy or offputting.
This would otherwise have been a great choice, but the pricing of this product knocks off a few points in our opinion. It’s a shame that this product has a pretty steep entry price point.
5. Marine Ultra Strength Collagen by Reverse Life
Total Ranking
Grade
Pros
- Variety of collagen types
- Amino acid profile
Cons
- Users complained of fishy flavor
- Doesn't mix well
The Bottom Line
Reverse Life Marine Collagen includes 3 g of collagen peptides per scoop, the serving size is two scoops. So in total you would received 6 grams of collagen. This formula is sourced from fish collagen. The container consists of 30 servings of neutral flavored collagen.
Although we liked that the formula includes an amino acid profile, the formula lacked any other ingredients needed to support hair, skin, joints, and nails. Additionally, we enjoy the versatility of unflavored, neutral-tasting collagen peptide powders like that of our number one choice. We find that they are easier to implement into a regular daily routine as they can be added to any drink of choice. However, we did see many consumers complaining of a fishy aftertaste of the fish collagen.
Our Choice 2023
Based on 3739 Reviews of Primal Harvest
Collagen MCT by Primal Harvest
- US made with Premium Ingredients
- Packed With Amino Acids
- Powerful GMO Free Collagen
- Sourced from Grass-Fed Bovine
- Free Shipping on Orders over £75
