Unregulated will writers are providing the public with unenforceable wills while charging for legal services they are not trained or regulated to provide, the Law Society claimed this week.

Solicitors specialising in will writing told the Society they have been handed invalid wills drafted by unregulated will writers, who on some occasions also offered powers of attorney, probate, conveyancing and tax advice.

In some instances, family members were being left out of wills against the wishes of the client. Solicitors also reported that will writers are hiding charges, and that will documents have disappeared after will-writing companies were wound up.

Law Society president Robert Heslett said this was a ‘widespread trend.’