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Will Writing Service

Although writing a will is vital, it's also complex and there are legal requirements to make sure it’s valid. MU members benefit from a discounted fee on the construction of simple and mirror wills, drafted by our trusted solicitors.

Last updated: 13 December 2023

Why should you make a will?

A will is a legal document which expresses how you want your money, property, possessions and investments (known as your estate), to be distributed after your death.

Writing a will is vital — it will make sure your wishes are met after your death, and can help your family and any advisors understand how you want your estate to be distributed.

What should you include in your will?

There are five main things you should include in your will – it’s worth thinking about these before you start the process:

  1. Money / assets – the main purpose of writing a will for most people is to outline what should happen to their money and assets after they die. Your estate refers to everything you own, including your property, car, personal possessions, savings and investments. It can also include life insurance policies and other entitlements.
  2. Funeral plans – you can include specific requests in your will, for example, if you want to be buried or cremated, or would like to be buried somewhere in particular. We do recommend telling your family in advance as well, in case they make any funeral arrangements before your will is found.
  3. Executor – the executor of the will is the person with legal authority to manage your estate after you die. You can choose anyone you want to be the executor of your will, but the role can involve a lot of work and responsibility. It’s important to choose someone who is likely to survive you and will act in the best interests of your beneficiaries.
  4. Legal guardian for your children – if you have children under the age of 18, you can name who should be their legal guardians if you and their other parent have died. You should speak to whoever you name before putting it in your will.
  5. Name your beneficiaries – when you’ve valued your estate, you should decide how you want it to be divided. You can name who you want as a beneficiary and there’s no limit to the number of beneficiaries you can name. As well as your partner, children, or family members, you can also name charities or other organisations.

The MU's Benevolent Fund provides small grants to MU members suffering severe financial hardship such as in times of illness or injury. Our ability to help is heavily reliant on financial donations from supporters. Please consider whether you may wish to leave a sum to the MU Benevolent Fund in your will.

Why should you use a solicitor?

We recommend using Morrish Solicitors, as writing a will is complex and there are legal requirements to make sure it’s valid. Such as:

  • At the beginning of the will, it must state that it revokes all others (if you had an earlier will, you should destroy it)
  • In England and Wales, for your will to be valid it needs to be witnessed and signed and dated by two independent adults
  • Witnesses can’t inherit or benefit from your will, but they can be named as executors
  • Beneficiaries of the will, their spouses, or civil partners shouldn’t act as witnesses
  • Also, beneficiaries shouldn’t be present in the room when the will is signed.

Morrish Solicitors will pass the details of Scottish MU members to Balfour + Manson to draft their will. To comply with GDPR regulations, we will ask for your permission to pass on your details in the questionnaire.

What types of will does the MU discount cover?

  • Simple will - a straightforward, standard will without any complicating factors.
  • Mirror will - the standard wills that couples may make which “mirror” each other. Mirror wills would typically say that on the first death everything goes to the other partner, and then on the second death, to their children. 

Is a ‘simple will’ right for you?

When applying for the will writing service, you'll be asked to fill in an online questionnaire which is designed to create a simple and straightforward will.

However, a 'simple will' may not be suitable for you if any of the following apply to you:

  • You or your partner have children from a previous relationship
  • You have a disabled beneficiary or a beneficiary who would find it difficult to manage a large sum of money
  • You have assets outside the UK 
  • You own a business
  • You are the beneficiary of a trust

Please contact Morrish Solicitors to discuss your personal circumstances if any of the above apply to you. Note that it may not be possible to meet your requirements within our discounted fee scale.

How much does the will service cost for MU members?

  • Simple will costs £114 (includes VAT)
  • Mirror wills cost £216 (includes VAT)

Anything more complex such as dealing with property abroad, copyright, blended families, will require more complex advice and drafting, and the discounted fee may not be applicable.

How to use MU members’ will-writing service by Morrish Solicitors

Before you start make sure you have thought about:

  • Who you want to leave things to – and what you want to leave them
  • How much your estate is worth (property, investments, mortgages etc.)
  • Who you want to be your executor and manage your will when you die
  • If applicable, who you would want to look after your children if they are under 18 when you die.

Complete the online questionnaire

If there are any reasons you are not able to complete the questionnaire online, please call the Morrish Solicitors team on 033 3344 9612.

Morrish Solicitors team will send you a draft will for you to check. You'll be asked for a payment for your will at this stage. Once you’re happy with the content, Morrish Solicitors will send you a legally binding will to sign.