Pictured above: Maria Shakespeare

People across the West Midlands should be wary of 'risky' DIY will-writing services and their lack of detail, according to a leading probate lawyer.

Maria Shakespeare, an associate at Bromsgrove-based legal firm MFG Solicitors, has warned people across the region on the potential 'heartache' for families a poorly crafted will can cause.

She said: "Writing a will involves major consideration of complex areas such as making preparations for care fees, beneficiaries, tax and avoiding claims against your estate. To misunderstand any of these details can bring years of needless heartache and stress for families. Therefore those using a DIY route, such as the internet, to help draw up a will can experience a host of difficulties - purely because there hasn't been enough attention given to the finer details."

Mrs Shakespeare added: "The DIY route is a risky road for people to take. We get many anxious people coming to us when they find that after a relative has passed away, the DIY route has failed them as complications have come to light. Those same people are also surprised when they hear that taking specialist legal advice can not only save that avoidable worry, but the cost of writing a legal will with a solicitor isn't as expensive as they expect. Unlike the DIY route, there are no hidden costs or complicated storage arrangements."

"People have the choice to make their will how they wish but we're seeing a growing number of people across the region using a DIY package or taking advice from unregulated will-writers. Many are getting into difficulties and these obstacles could have been avoided with professional legal advice."

Mrs Shakespeare's comments follow a recent warning by the Chief Legal Services Obudsman for England and Wales, Adam Sampson. Mr Sampson has called for action to be taken to ensure consumers are not left vulnerable by uninsured, unregulated will-writers.

Meanwhile, a recent poll by financial services giant Standard Life has highlighted that the internet and off-the-shelf high street packages are becoming one of the main sources for advice on wills. The study also recognised that 54 per cent of people still turn to solicitors for advice on their estate.