More On Wills

[Khandro]

I have two Christian (first) names, but since my mid 20s I have only used the middle one and in fact that is what I am known by professionally, but for my signature I use both initials and also for certain long-standing things like bank accounts.

I am in the process of writing out a will by hand and don't want this to create problems for my children, so should I write, say, ' I, Joe Fred Blogs ', and put, 'also known as', ' Fred Blogs ' ?

Is this kind of thing done?

[Peter Pedant]

yes I have done precisely that
I dont think it is a big deal as sole traders ( therefore not incorporated ) trade under other names and I thought i was prudent to whack it in

[Canary42]

Anything which clarifies the Will can't be bad.

Light-hearted rejoinder: Beware the opposite effect tho' - for example in my case it would be unwise to say aka Clem Freud just because I was given that nickname because I looked like him.

[Buenchico]

I wouldn't bother with the "also know as" bit myself but there's no real reason why you shouldn't add it.

Given though that you would normally include your address then (unless you've got a relative with a very similar name living with you, and who has a very similar signature) it should be completely obvious as to who has written the will.

So I'd just settle for . . .
"This is the last Will and Testament of me, Joe Fred Bloggs, of 29 Acacia Avenue, Sunnyville, in the county of Randomshire".

[Khandro]

Thanks,

[naomi24]

I would get a solicitor to do it.

[ladybirder]

You could go on the Which website and look at Wills.

[jno]

for simple ones ("everything to Mum")

https://www.freewills.co.uk/

But I don't know if Khandro has UK or foreign law in mind.

[Peter Pedant]

yeah but no but
the idea is to net Mme Fu-fu's moolah is in fact Joe Bloggs innit? andmaking it cheaper and simpler ( that property in 'another name' is Joe's )

[sanmac]

I fully agree with Naomi at 1842. You well know how many DIY projects can end up, if not complete disasters, a little "wonky". Well, the same quite often to DIY wills.

[Peter Pedant]

I admit - no I rejoice! that I have followed Naomi's advice and hired a lawyer
( no fees no fees- no discussion thereof that is)
but reader.....
the question was NOT
Naomi do you think I should hire a lawyer ?
naomi ( bless !) Yes I do !

but - if I am going a will - -

by the way - Chris and Barmaid's advice I just as well say is gold standard....

[Peter Pedant]

.... UK or foreign law in mind.
oh you must do a lawyer for that....

even the Blessed Boris got skewered on that ( CGT on someone else poperty and disposal)

[Khandro]

I've got property & bank accounts in Germany & bank accounts in England.

It is possible to make a simple will yourself, a so-called 'Berlin Testament', which has to be hand-written.
I've contacted 3 lawyers & they charge a minimum standard fee of 3,000 € for doing the same thing. "Nothing to do with me - the price is set by the law society" they say.

There is a horrendous law in Germany, that on the death of the first spouse any child in line as a beneficiary can demand their share immediately, or any time thereafter. This can mean that the surviving partner could have to find potentially a large sum to hand it over to the child, which in a case we know meant the survivor having borrow the money to do so.

It gets even worse!! Should that child die first before the parent (things happen!) the spouse of that child can demand the dosh for him or herself. So it could mean paying out a large sum, & going into debt for it, to someone of whom you have an intense dislike.
:0)

[naomi24]

I would cough up and get it done properly.

[bednobs]

Peter, very hypocritical - you have "told people off" then in your next post done exactly what you have berated other people for doing.
still, just another day on AB, yeah?

[naomi24]

Khandro, there are some things you just shouldn't try to economise on - and considering the complexities here, this is one of them.

[Peter Pedant]

nope bednobs dear gairl
I paid around £1000 for a will around ten years ago
and basically used that as a template for later revisions
as the 'to give to' list died one by one.

the only foodly bit was giving a life interest to X and making sure it then went to Y

I think "I am Jarn Smith but I also own property as Miss foo-foo Lamarr." I dont think will defeat a probate judge as to the meaning.

both CHris Buenchico and Barmaid give excellent advice - really good huh?

[Peter Pedant]

oh are you THERE?
if you have property in Germany and England - you deffo need advice from a lawyer who does wills in Germany and GB

I wanted my neighbour with a Bugatti ( only £250 000 readers) in the wrong country
BUT
this will do
https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/dispute-resolution-law-blog/bernard-matthews-will-french-law-has-the-final-say#:~:text=Mr%20Matthews%20had%20left%20an,property%20in%20France%20to%20her.

French Law, Boodiful Bernard forgot, and the mistress, only allows a third part to be left as you wish. The rest is to the family - so basically the kids chucked Madame out of the French property ( I think)

[Peter Pedant]

// Peter, very hypocritical - you have "told people off" then in your next post done exactly what you have berated ...../

I do my best to fit in with the typical ABer - - - ter daah !

[Redhelen72]

Khandro that scenario is the exact same position that my aunt finds herself in now - her estranged oldest daughter is demanding her share of the will now.
My Aunt is having an ongoing battle through the courts etc to stop this happening as it would mean selling the house to do it.
Go to a professional get it drawn up properly especially as you are in a slightly different postition

[Khandro]

naomi; It isn't about the money, I don't like lawyers - talk about Grabbit & Run. One said, bring me 2,000€ in cash this afternoon & I can give you the text to write out by hand yourself ( What I have got for free off the internet) and then I'll check it over & invoice you for the further 1,000€

The next one was so rude, he couldn't even make eye-contact, & sat like Putin at the other side of the room with 2 desks between us. After 10 minutes, I muttered to Mrs K. 'This isn't working is it', 'No' she replied, & we got up & walked out of the room, something I've never done in my life.

The third, a woman, on the strength of simply a phone call during which she wasn't asked to do anything but make an appointment to meet, sent by post a 4 page of A4 letter, telling us nothing we didn't know - about English wills.

I'm wondering if she will have the temerity to send me a bill for this 'service'.