Why Would Solicitor Want This?

[gardeningfan1]

Making a Will, and rather surprised to read that my solicitor now needs to see my last three months of my bank statements. Why should he want to see these and is this normal practice when sorting the will ( we are still in the drafting stages)?

many thanks

[factor-fiction]

I can't see any reason why, unless he wants to do an extra check that you have not omitted to take account of something. I've never seen this asked but there's no reason why you can't ask the solicitor why he wants this info

[anniebird]

I had my will done a short while ago and was not asked to produce bank statements. I cannot think of any reason for this request.

[ABerrant]

Is this in relation to the requirement for solicitors (and others) to check your identity, in compliance with anti-money laundering legislation?

This may take the form of a current passport and/or photo driving licence and/or a recent (i.e. within 3 months) household bill or bank statement.

[woofgang]

why dont you ask the solicitor?

[Prudie]

^ that makes sense, seeing bank statements is usually only to prove something, usually income or expenses. What's that got to do with your will- are you sure he knows what you've asked him to do?

[paul1763]

may be the bigger your balance, the bigger his bill

[New Judge]

I must say I've yet to hear of anybody snuffing it so that they can launder their ill-gotten gains !

[Canary42]

Seems rather odd - certainly didn't apply when I made my will about a year ago.

[sandyRoe]

New Judge, a Machiavellian character might arrange for someone to be bumped off with his ID so that he'd be free to inherit his own money and shed any debts in the process. Or is that idea too fanciful?

[david small]

I have just finished making a will. Apart from being sent an example of the will to check for errors, there were several mistakes in name spellings etc. I was asked how much I had in the bank, but at no time was I requested to produce any documents to asertain the veracity of my declaration.

[fadeout73]

Its a requirement for solicitors, when they open a file for a new client, to check their identity - money laundering regulations put in place by The Law Society or The Law Society of Scotland.

[janbee]

Never heard of this. I've just re-done my will and was never asked for this. Maybe get another lawyer.

[woofgang]

indeed fadeout but it doesn't have to be bank statements and the solicitor should explain why they want the info.