From making a will at home to getting it witnessed when you’re self-isolating, here’s everything you need to know about making a will during the coronavirus outbreak.
How do I make a will at home?
You can make a will from the safety and privacy of your own home by using our free will writing service.
Our solicitor-approved Farewill guide helps you to take things one step at a time, covering everything from appointing guardians for your children to choosing who should inherit your estate.
Once you’ve finished writing your will, our experts will check it over carefully to make sure your wishes are clear and easy to understand. If they spot anything you might need to change, they’ll let you know within five working days. Then you’re free to print and sign your will in the presence of two witnesses.
How do I get people to witness my will when I'm self-isolating?
Over the last few months, millions of people have been self-isolating to minimise the chances of catching the coronavirus – many of whom have pre-existing health conditions that put them at higher risk.
This has caused a lot of people in self-isolation to write their will. However, an essential part of making a will legally binding is signing it alongside two witnesses. According to the law in England and Wales, a will must be signed with wet ink, so there’s no way for this process to be done digitally.
If you are self-isolating but need people to witness and sign your will, it’s incredibly important that you don’t put it off. To get around this, you could arrange for both of your witnesses to watch through a closed window as you sign your will – it’s important that they’re present at the same time for this.
Then, after ensuring that your witnesses have recently sanitised their hands, you can pass your will through your letterbox. You’ll then need to return to the window to watch them both add their details and signatures to your will – ideally, they should use their own pens for this. They can then return the will to you through the letterbox, allowing you to put it away somewhere safe.
How can I find a will solicitor during the coronavirus lockdown?
As the coronavirus spreads throughout the country, more people than ever are thinking about making a will. But since the closure of UK high streets due to lockdown measures, many of the traditional face-to-face options are no longer available. Thankfully, there are alternatives available that you can access online or over the phone.
If you’re only looking for a simple, straightforward will, our free online will writing service should cover everything you need. But if your situation is more complex – for example, if you require specific advice on estate planning and inheritance tax – our telephone service may be a better option.
To speak to a will specialist today, please click the above link to arrange a call back or call Farewill on 020 4538 2344 (remember to say you are using the Bone Cancer Research Trust's free will writing service). We can talk through your situation, answer any questions you have and if you’re happy to proceed with our service, we’ll arrange a follow-up call with a will writer at a time that’s convenient for you.
