Jonathan Brewer, a former commercial solicitor, is attempting to launch a new free online Will-writing business. Additionally, he is recruiting law firms and charities with the vision of becoming the largest “Will-writing brand in the UK.”
His business, Bequeathed, looks to blend legal advice with free online Wills. He believes that people should pay for legal advice but the Will-writing system is simple, even for more complex cases. When the process becomes complex, the company will refer the client to expert legal services that could assist the client, for a fee.
Jonathan Brewer, founder of Bequeathed, said that the company was designed: “to fight against the unregulated providers and the Co-op.
“The reality is that free wills are out there. For the last 15 years solicitors have been supporting free will offers for charities. That ship has already sailed.
“Consumers think they can make a will for free and solicitors have been complicit in this. Solicitors can either rail against that or build their strategy around it.
“Will-writing is often relatively straightforward, even for a complex estate. The value for the consumer is in the advice that goes with it.
“Lawyers pick up the drafting process at the point at which the consumers leave it. They are getting a very warm lead, because the consumer had accepted the need for advice and the need to pay for it.”
Brewer was confident that the law firms could offer accurate estimates based on the detailed information from the Will-writing section of the site, creating a fast, efficient and holistic process.
Currently, four firms have signed up to Bequeathed since June and Brewer was confident that more will be signing in the near future at a rate of two per month. It is hoped that, once established, the extensive database will encourage greater use of legal services whilst also encouraging people to make a Will and save them money.
Brewer was also concerned that people making online Wills often fail to complete the process if it becomes difficult or complex. He is confident that Bequeathed will ensure more Wills are completed because an instant source of help is made available to the consumer in times of difficulty.
Brewer said: “For every person who went through the online process, two or three failed to complete it. That is the opportunity for law firms.
“If lawyers are not involved, many people end up either not making a will or making one which does not meet their needs. Bequeathed blends legal advice with online, meaning consumers get the advice they need.”
“Making wills available for free online removes a primary barrier to making a will in the first place.”
By combining a free Will process with an instant opportunity to regulated legal service professionals, will more people be encouraged to write a Will? Are online processes, like Bequeathed, the future for Wills and Probate? Will this provide a holistic experience for the consumer?
