Thinking of becoming a member of the Society of Will Writers?

Reasons to join:

  1. To have a larger voice in steering the profession
  2. Become entitled to support and assistance from the SWW
  3. Membership benefits

Membership benefits:

  • Full free and unlimited technical advice *specific to Wills. (full membership benefit)
  • Use of the SWW logo and ‘Safe to do business with logo’ – For use on your marketing material, stationery and website.
  • 19 active regional groups (with online document access from a secure digital vault)
  • Discounted training (through the College of Will Writing)
  • Website listing – Customisable listing on the SWW website with links to your platforms and channels.
  • Online CPD – access to a monthly quiz on the College site.
  • Stationery/Sales literature (branded)
  • Conference – An annual meeting held centrally for industry professionals to get access to industry leader training.
  • Sure Will Writer – Drafting software available only to SWW members which is supported by our technical advisers. We will check your first 6 documents for free (for technical accuracy) and provide technical support on the system.
  • Storage – Option to store your clients documents securely with The National Will Archive.
  • Trust Corporation – Access to professional executorship, trustee, and attorneyship services through the SWW Trust Corporation.
  • Digital Inheritance Vault – Expand your storage offering with the Digital Inheritance vault. Give each of your clients a vault to store copies of important legal documents in. You may wish to add your client files here.
  • Social Media content and support
  • Forum – Get access to a private members forum to speak to like-minded professionals and keep up to date with industry topics.
  • Insurance scheme – A comprehensive PII policy available only to members with the provision for free run off cover*
  • Public Indemnity Fund – An SWW fund to pay for work to be completed should a member leave clients without documents they had paid for*.
  • Template documentation – Terms of Business templates and complaints procedure template.
  • Public helpline
  • Support in the event of a claim or complaint

 

Membership Grades & Prices:

Companion         Cmpn. SWW (invited to become by SWW board)

Fellow                 FSWW (drafter/consultant) £325 (can apply after at least 6 month membership)

Associate            ASWW (drafter/consultant) £325 (denotes more experience than MSWW)

Members            MSWW (drafter/consultant) £325

Affiliate               Aff. SWW (consultant) £85

Application process:

Full member:

  1. Submit your application (application form including signed members declaration).
  2. We will write (or email) to your referees (and wait for their response).
  3. Your application will then go to the board.
  4. Pay subs/application fee/public indemnity fund fee.
  5. Provide proof of insurance.
  6. Once complete the membership team will provide you with a welcome pack, certificate of compliance and I.D card. These last one year and will be reissued on renewal.

If you would like a photo I.D card please provide us with a digital passport photo

Affiliate member:

  1. Submit your application (application form including signed members declaration).
  2. Pay your subs.
  3. Your application will go to the board.
  4. Once complete the membership team will provide you with a welcome pack, certificate of compliance and I.D card. These last one year and will be reissued on renewal.

If you would like a photo I.D card please provide us with a digital passport photo.

Timescales:

Full member: The timescale between receiving your application and completion is normally 2 weeks depending on how quickly all the information we request is submitted.

Affiliate member: An affiliate application can usually be completed within 2 weeks or sooner.

Training:

The SWW require proof of proficiency to support the application for SWW membership.

Ultimately the decision rests with the board but the following are considered:

We will always consider qualifications from other providers to see if they meet our minimum requirements.

Important considerations:

  • Membership is individual. You cannot claim corporate membership unless everyone at the organisation involved in the will writing process is an SWW member.
  • We cannot process the application without the application fee.
  • An affiliated member must work alongside a full member.
  • Affiliated membership cannot be transferred to other organisations.

 

*subject to terms and conditions

 

SWW Full Membership Application Booklet

Membership Application Process