Bennett Griffin Blog

Consumers must have greater protection in will writing market, says Worthing law firm

BENNETT GRIFFIN LLP has called for greater regulation of will-writers to match that of solicitors after BBC Panorama’s Wills: The Final Rip Off? revealed the risks of using will-writers.

Bennett Griffin LLP is calling for a level playing field in the will writing market to ensure consumers have greater protection against inaccurate or poorly drafted wills, as seen on the Panorama investigation into the unregulated will writing industry aired on Monday evening.

The Panorama investigation also uncovered cases where consumers had been quoted fees of £75-£100 to write a will, but ended up paying thousands of pounds for hidden extras.  Some clients were told the fees would cover the costs of dealing with their estate after they had passed away, but were not told that an additional fee percentage would be charged.  In some cases, beneficiaries have even had their inheritance stolen.

Ian Macara, a Partner in Bennett Griffin LLP and head of the will-writing team says:

“The Panorama investigation emphasises a problem that Bennett Griffin LLP has been highlighting for some time that there are severe risks to consumers in using unregulated, unqualified and uninsured will writers.  Unlike solicitors, will writers are not robustly regulated by law, nor are they thoroughly insured (if at all) to protect against errors.

“Solicitors are qualified to write wills, their obligatory insurance cover means that the clients’ interests are protected and they are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.  In the unlikely event that something should go wrong, the client and their estate are fully protected.  Will writers cannot offer that protection or basic competence.”

Last year, a study by the Law Society found that many solicitors were being passed botched wills that had been originally written by will writers.

Ian Macara says: “Until there is greater regulation and protection for consumers on wills, the best possible option to the public is to use a solicitor.  Moves by some will writing organisations to impose a code of practice on their members is a small step in the right direction, but until there is an equal level of protection to clients irrespective of whether they use a solicitor or a will writer, the public remain exposed to the risks highlighted on Panorama by some will writers.  We look to the consumer bodies for support in our drive for better consumer protection.”

Journalists can contact Jo Ostrom of Bennett Griffin LLP at jos@bennett-griffin.co.uk or on 01903 706963.

Law firm website: www.bennett-griffin.co.uk
Panorama: Wills - The Final Rip Off?, BBC One, Monday, 9 August at 2030 BST and then available in the UK on the BBC iPlayer.

Bennett Griffin nominated for Worthing Business Awards Customer Care Award 2010

NOTE: Bennett Griffin LLP are thrilled to have been shortlisted for the Customer Care Award at the Southern Business Awards 2010. Click here to find out more…

Last year Bennett Griffin LLP successfully won the coveted Customer Care Award 2009 proving that customer service is alive and kicking in Worthing. At Bennett Griffin LLP we continue to be passionate about providing customer care to our clients and we would love to continue to display our success and excellence by again being nominated (and again hopefully winning) for the Customer Care Award 2010.

Bennett Griffin LLP prides itself on providing quality and effective customer care to all our clients including individuals and businesses. Our motto is “We do what we say” and we are committed to the work we provide.

We still believe that we enhance the reputation of Worthing as a good and strong place to do business and we are proud that our educated and motivated staff has the necessary skills and experience to assist our clients in all areas of law.

However, it is not just our views that are important and in order to be considered again for this prestigious award we need your help.

If you agree that we are a worthy contender for this award and have provided you with the same excellence service we have mentioned above then please click here to nominate us.

Well Being in the Workplace: Family Advice Surgeries!

Do you own, help to run, or work for a local company which would benefit from our legal experts offering advice at your offices, at a time which is convenient for you and the company? Are you the sort of boss or employee who wants to show they care about their staff and colleagues?

This initiative will benefit you, your staff and your colleagues at absolutely no cost to the organisation as we provide free confidential legal surgeries to the workforce, with individual 15 minute consultations within your lunch hour.  This means that the company’s productivity is not affected by members of staff having to take time out for that vital initial appointment with a lawyer.

We all know how personal problems can impact on our worklife. Unresolved issues about relationships, children, and money, can lead to increased stress and sickness levels; a lack of motivation, and absenteeism from work. In offering this unique service, we are helping you, your workforce, and ultimately the business, to stay fit and well and profitable.

Please email or call our Family Law experts Jackie Gifford and Jackie Mensah to book an appointment today or simply to discuss our full range of Bennett Griffin LLP services.

For more information on well being  click here to view The advocate Issue 4