How do you draft a will so it validly leaves a sum of money to someone?

Question

Although I've advised the person to get the will drafted by a solicitor, hey don't want to do that so I'm helping them to draft it. They want to leave a specified lump sum of money (it's not in property)in their will to an individual, how do I draft that bit so that it will be valid in the eyes of a court and unlikely to be contestable?

Answer 1

have a few witnesses with date and address, preferably none family members or friends. but a solicitor is the concrete way!

Answer 2

As long as the will is properly witnessed you could write it on a piece of toilet paper if you wanted to. What is important if you are drawing up your own will is that it is in simple language without any ambiguities. Such as, "I leave the sum of five thousand pounds to John Smith for his personal use". You could add that should John Smith predecease me then it will go to Mary Smith for instance. You can purchase a Will form at most stationers and many people do write their own wills if it is not a complicated estate. Personally I would use a solicitor or ask Citizens Advice. Good luck.

Answer 3

Not sure how to answer your question, but another bit of advice:

always have a back-up plan. My mother and her step-family have had some problems because the will and life insurance of her mother and step-father did not allow for my grandmother passing away first.

no matter the wording, plan for the unlikely.

Also learned recently that Life insurance is not required to be distributed according to the will.... fun little tid bit to know

Answer 4

A will must be written in conformance with the requirements under the law so that it will be valid. The heirs must be properly named and the estate properly distributed.

Answer 5

The best way is to go to a lawyer.

Answer 6

http://www.1stoplegal.com/?findwhat