Peace of Mind with the Society of Will Writers Guarantee – and Ours Too
As a member of the Society of Will Writers (SWW), I don’t just talk about professionalism – I’m backed by it.
The SWW is a non-profit, self-regulatory organisation dedicated to protecting the public and promoting high standards in Will Writing and Estate Planning. Founded in 1994 by Brian McMillan and four other professionals, it now has over 1,700 members across the UK, Europe, and even further afield.
The Society has two main aims:
- • To raise awareness of the importance of having a valid, up-to-date Will;
- • To protect the public through stringent membership requirements, training standards, and ongoing regulation.
What This Means for You
When you work with an SWW member like me, you benefit from these key protections:
- • Ongoing Professional Development
Every member must complete at least 24 hours of specialist legal training each year – unlike some professionals who may not have updated their knowledge since university! - • Professional Indemnity Insurance
All members are required to carry insurance, giving you peace of mind should anything ever go wrong. - • Client Protection Fund
If a member becomes seriously ill, passes away, or is unable to continue in business, the Society steps in. Your work is passed to another qualified member, and any fees already paid are deducted from the final cost – if there’s a bill at all. - • Specialist Support
The Society’s own College of Will Writing provides year-round training, and members have access to legal consultants for complex cases – so you get expert advice, even when the situation isn’t straightforward. - • Local Support
With 20 Regional Groups around the country, there’s a strong community of trusted professionals. I chaired the Sussex group – one of the most active – for over ten years. In 2024, I was honoured to receive the title Companion of the Society in recognition of my service.
Our Own Guarantee – The Professional Will Writer Promise
I go one step further to give you even more confidence:
- • Insurance
I’m fully insured for your protection. - • Draft Revisions (Wills)
You can request up to three sets of changes for errors in the information you provided. If we make a mistake – we’ll fix it as many times as needed, for up to a month after the draft is issued. - • LPA Application Protection
If an application is rejected because of an error we should have caught, I’ll cover the cost of resubmitting it – provided everything is signed again within one month. We typically check documents four times before sending them to make sure this doesn’t happen.
The Society of Will Writers Guarantee – Extra Protection, Just in Case
Every full member contributes to a special fund designed to protect clients in case the worst happens. If a member becomes seriously ill, dies, or becomes bankrupt, and you’ve paid for work that hasn’t been completed, the Society guarantees that your contract will still be fulfilled*.
This safety net is just one more reason why working with an SWW member is a smart, safe choice.
*This guarantee applies to Wills and LPAs only. It does not cover Lifetime Trusts or Probate Services.