Making a will is something we all tend to put off, but if your worldly goods are going to go to the people you want them to after your death it’s essential.  It’s also one of the most important financial planning steps you will ever take. But it needn’t cost a fortune in fact you can do it on line and as a union member it’s free.

Many union members have opted to use high street firms or companies that claim to be wills specialists rather than turning to experienced specialists like BBH Legal, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thompsons Solicitors.  What at first looks like a bargain way to do a will can turn out to be anything but, as one BFAWU member discovered. 

A service, which initially appears to be good value often becomes increasingly expensive as hidden costs are revealed. Without independent advice, it’s easy for people to feel pressured into paying extortionate fees in an attempt to ensure their loved ones’ financial security.

When looking to create a will, always approach your union’s expert legal service before a high street firm or a wills company.

The case study below is an example of how creating a will with a will making company led to a huge potential bill.

Case study: John Hillon, former BFAWU activist

John Hillon, a former BFAWU activist, looked into making a will with a well-known will making company he had seen advertising on TV and the internet. The adverts said that the cost would be £29.99 for them both which seemed like a bargain.

However, when discussing the will over the phone with the company, the price suddenly became well over £1,000. Following a home visit to make sure ‘everything was protected’ it shot up to over £3,000.

Understandably, John and his wife were in shock and distress. Thinking about what happens after you die can be stressful and a difficult process was made far worse by shameless attempts at profiteering from an exploitative private wills company.

Having been persuaded to pay the money across John had second thoughts and contacted the BFAWU legal service, represented by Thompsons Solicitors.  The advice from the wills experts at BBH Legal was that the complicated trust arrangement he had been told he needed to pay so much for to protect his home from tax after his death was a scam.  He was told to cancel the ‘service’ immediately and thankfully, he was able to do so and was refunded in full.

Your trade union legal service will not rip you off or over complicate things to make money from you. For something this important, the risk of not trusting the union to look after you is not worth taking.