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At Swansea Legal Solutions we know that when it comes to making a will there are loads of options available from using a solicitor or a bank to DIY online wills. However, how can you be sure that your will is airtight and is the best solution for your personal circumstances? This is particularly important if your estate is complex or if you also own a business for example.
The answer is simple. Ensure that your chosen will writer is a member of The Society of Will Writers (SWW) as those who are members, like Swansea Legal Solutions, are regulated in many ways.
The Society of Will Writers
According to the SWW, the have been “protecting and serving the interests of the public for over 28 years.” This means that any will writer who is a member has to abide by the standards set out by the SWW which ensures the most professional and expert service at all times.
An article recently published by the SWW also states that: “It’s a common misconception that you must be a regulated individual or firm, for example a solicitor, to provide Will writing services. However, writing Wills isn’t what’s called a ‘reserved activity’, so whilst many who are regulated do provide such services, they don’t have to be, and you don’t have to choose someone who is. It’s worth remembering though that without regulation, those who offer these services don’t have to hold any qualifications, have any knowledge on the subject, or even be involved in the process to do so. That’s where the SWW and our Members are different.” See full article here.
Other Benefits of Being a SWW Member
Other benefits of being a SWW member include:
- SWW is founded on a self-regulatory framework which means that a set of standards are placed on any individual who applies to join the membership, all in the name of protecting the public and the profession.
- All Members must abide by the SWW Code of Practice, hold a minimum of £2 million of Professional Indemnity Insurance, as well as meet regular training requirements, known as Continuous Professional Development (CPD).
- Meeting these requirements permits SWW Members to carry compliance certificates and ID cards, as well as display badges, such as the ‘Safe to do business with’ mark.
Why are these standards so important? When engaging with an unregulated sector people might not be afforded the same protections as the regulated sector if something goes wrong.
Another initiative introduced by the SWW is the Public Indemnity Fund (PIF) which is paid into by every Full Member (MSWW^) when they join. The PIF, also known as The Society of Will Writers Guarantee, ensures that in the event a Member is unable to complete an outstanding contract for their client, the SWW can appoint another to take over so that they aren’t left without documents or services they’ve already paid for.
Swansea Legal Solutions
From our point of view, being an SWW Member gives our clients peace of mind and credibility in our will writing services. It also means that our clients know that they will be working with someone who is an expert because will writing is what they’ve trained for.
To find out more about our will writing and estate planning services click here or call a member of our team on 01792 420844 to book an appointment to discuss your specific requirements.
