Thinking of becoming a member of the Society of Will Writers?
Reasons to join:
- To have a larger voice in steering the profession
- Become entitled to support and assistance from the SWW
- 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:
- Submit your application (application form including signed members declaration).
- We will write (or email) to your referees (and wait for their response).
- Your application will then go to the board.
- Pay subs/application fee/public indemnity fund fee.
- Provide proof of insurance.
- 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:
- Submit your application (application form including signed members declaration).
- Pay your subs.
- Your application will go to the board.
- 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:
- SWWEPP Will and Estate Planning Certificate Course
- Relevant industry experience
- Cilex level 3 Wills
- STEP
- Law degree (with law and succession module)
- Practicing or retired solicitor (with relevant experience)
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
Full Membership Application Form