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The Society of Will Writers
The Society of Will Writers is a non-profit making self regulatory organisation which seeks to protect the public and serve the interests of those men and women who are active professionals in our field.
The Society of Will Writers was founded in 1994 by former Director General, Brian McMillan and 4 other business owners. The Society has since grown to become not only the largest but also the leading self-regulatory body governing Will Writers and Estate Planners alike. We have over 1,700 members across the UK, Central Europe and further afield in places such as Asia and Africa.
The Society has set itself two main tasks:
- To promote to the public at large the real need and sense in having a valid Will;
- To act as a self-regulatory body by vetting practitioners through stringent membership requirements, proficiency standards and ongoing training.
How do the Public Benefit from using Society of Will Writers Members?
- Members must carry out a minimum of 24 hours specialist training on Legal Planning every year – contrast that with some professionals who may have passed the topic at University 30 years ago, and done nothing since!
- Members must have Professional Indemnity Insurance to protect clients should they ever make a mistake.
- There is a special fund to deal with cases where the member responsible for the work dies, becomes incapacitated or is unable to continue in business. Such work on is passed to other members, and any fees already paid are taken off the final bill – if indeed there is one.
- The Society has its own College of Will Writing which runs basic and high level training courses throughout the year.
- There is an in-house team of Legal Consultants who support members when they come across situations where the options or technicalities are unusual or unduly complex.
- The Society has 20 Regional Groups around the country. Steve Pett was the Regional Chairman of arguably the most active group—Sussex—for more than a decade and, at the 2024 Society Conference in Derby, was awarded the honorary title of Companion of the Society in recognition of his service.
The Society of Will Writers Guarantee
Every full member of the Society of Will Writers pays into a fund upon application to the Society for the benefit of their future clients and consumer protection.
The Society of Will Writers guarantees that in the event of serious or critical illness; death or bankruptcy that any client has paid for work will have their contract fulfilled*.
This is part of what makes members of the Society ‘safe to do business with’.
*Terms and Conditions
- The guarantee is limited to Wills and associated services or lasting powers of attorney only.
- It does not apply to lifetime settlements also known as lifetime trusts.
- Probate services are specifically excluded from the guarantee.
- A member who, through illness, is unable to complete a contract to supply Wills or Power of Attorneys is to advise The Society of Will Writers immediately.
- For a member who dies without fulfilling any outstanding and paid-for contracts, their executors should advise The Society of Will Writers as soon as possible. The Society of Will Writers, at its discretion, may make a claim on the member’s estate for any costs incurred in fulfilling the contract
- A member who is in financial difficulty for any reason which may result in a voluntary arrangement or bankruptcy should notify The Society of Will Writers as soon as possible. Where the member has taken fees in advance and is unable to complete the contract, The Society of Will Writers may, at its absolute discretion, assist. The Society of Will Writers may register as a creditor for any costs incurred.
