SLCC publishes two new guides on wills and executries

The Scottish Legal Complaints Commission, the independent body that deals with complaints about lawyers, has launched two new guides to help people working with a solicitor to write a will, or involved in an executry (carrying out the instructions in a will) avoid running into difficulties.

The guides, for consumers and for solicitors, have been launched in November - Will Aid month - when some solicitors waive their fees for writing a basic will and instead invite clients to make a voluntary donation which goes to nine of the UK's leading charities. 

Complaints about wills and executries are in the top five areas of legal work in complaints made to the SLCC.  The guides are based on issues that have come up in real complaints.

Communication and delay are amongst the issues covered, with tips and case examples.

David Buchanan-Cook of the SLCC said, “We know from the complaints we receive every year how important these guides are.  Many of these complaints happen because there is a gap in understanding between a consumer and a solicitor.  While the solicitor will be dealing with wills and executries on a regular basis as part of their working life, for a consumer the process involved will usually be unfamiliar.

“Our aim is that these guides will help both parties understand the common issues, and hopefully avoid unnecessary stress at a very emotional time.”