I am Kirsty Dimond, the owner and operator of KMD Wills & Estate Planning. I am based in Newton Abbot, South Devon, where I live with my family.
I have always been interested in the law and pursued a legal education, before taking a position as a Private Client Advisor in the Wills and Probate department of a local firm. Since then, I have completed specialised training with The College of Will Writing and am now a Full Member of The Society of Will Writers.
People often ask me, why estate planning? Personally, I have always believed in planning ahead and find it incredibly rewarding to help other people do the same. Unfortunately the loss of my Mum, a few years ago, was a stark reminder of just how important it is to ensure that everything is in order for those we leave behind.
Confronting mortality is challenging; no one wants to consider a world where they’ve left their loved ones behind and, as a Mum and a Wife myself, I completely understand how daunting making these plans can be. I view my role now as an opportunity to guide people in securing their family’s wellbeing and to help them ensure that their legacy is protected in a way that’s as simple as possible.
I believe that everyone deserves access to expert advice and that these services should be both accessible and affordable. Each person’s circumstances are also unique, so my services are personalised to the needs of each client. Working independently, I also am able to offer my services to my clients either in the comfort of their own home or online, at a time which best suits them – including evenings or weekends! My goal is to make my appointments as comfortable and stress-free as possible, explaining everything in a clear, jargon-free way. Like having a chat with a knowledgeable friend.
To find out more about how I could help you and your loved ones, please get in touch or book a free initial consultation.
So, what does it mean to be a Full Member of The Society of Will Writers?
Well, what most people don’t realise is that Will Writing is not a “reserved legal activity”. This means that a Will can actually be written by anyone, which is why DIY Wills are perfectly legal (but I’ll save my thoughts on those for another post!). However, this also means that absolutely anyone could set up a business offering Will Writing services, without any specialised knowledge or formal training! Rest assured though, that’s where the Society comes in…
Professional bodies such as The Society of Will Writers or The Institute of Professional Will Writers have stringent membership requirements. To become a member you must prove that you have achieved a relevant qualification in estate planning, have sufficient professional indemnity insurance and adhere to a strict code of conduct. This ensures that clients are receiving the appropriate services and are not being subjected to cowboy traders, so to speak! When looking for an Independent Will Writer always make sure they have a professional membership.
You can learn more about The Society of Will Writers itself, here.