An online Willwriting service has moved to strengthen its service offering by introducing an additional layer of protection for its clients by ensuring all of its Wills are checked by a solicitor.
FreeWills.co.uk was launched in 2018 by Carl Christensen and is one of a new breed of online will writing businesses offering low and no cost entry for consumers to write their will.
The business has adopted technology to help direct clients through a straightforward easy to use will making service which costs the consumer nothing, with no need for a physical or virtual appointment. Recommendations are then made around Lasting Powers of Attorney, Trusts and other estate planning documentation which provide an income stream.
The online will writing model has come in for criticism as the technology uses question led programming to lead clients through a series of screens to determine what needs including in the Will, before finalising the document.
To combat the criticism, and to add an extra layer of quality control and scrutiny, FreeWills.co.uk now ensures every will is checked and approved by a fully qualified experienced solicitor.
Carl, who runs FreeWills.co.uk explains
“Since the start of the pandemic we’ve seen the number of Wills we write skyrocket. We believe we’re now in the top 3 in terms of volume with 20,000 + Wills a year.
“This move ensures our customers now get the best of both worlds – an easy to use, intuitive online will writing wizard to create a highly personalised will, coupled with expert solicitor checking, approval and sign-off.
But Carl recognises that free, online Wills are not for everyone.
“We make it very clear our service has a purpose for the overwhelming majority of the population. However, if you have complex needs we’re not for you and would steer you in the direction of organisations better placed to handle complicated estates.”
FreeWills is a full member of The Society of Will Writers and will now be drawing on the experience of an expert panel of solicitors, all of whom are actively practising and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
