Get Your Will Written Free of Charge in March
Did you know that March is Free Wills Month?
Free Wills Month brings together a group of well-respected charities to offer members of the public aged 55 and over the opportunity to have their wills written or updated free using participating solicitors across the UK. The next one begins on Friday March 1st 2024.
The charities involved include the NSPCC, Dogs Trust, Samaritans, Mind, The Stroke Association, PDSA, The National Trust, Mencap, Age UK, and many more.
The scheme covers simple wills only, including ‘mirror wills’ for couples. In the latter case, only one member of the couple has to be 55 or over. If you need a complicated will (most people don’t) you can still have this done but may have to pay a top-up fee.
I strongly believe in using a properly qualified solicitor to draw up your will. In the last few years there have been a couple of occasions when failing to do this has caused problems and delays for members of my family. An up-to-date will written by a solicitor will ensure that your wishes are respected and will avoid causing legal complications for your loved ones after you are gone.
Free Wills Month means what it says. There are no catches, although the organizers hope that you will choose to leave a donation to charity in your will. There is no obligation to do this, however.
To take part in Free Wills Month click through to the website on or after March 1st 2024. You can then pick a solicitor from the list of companies taking part and contact them to book an appointment. Appointments are limited and on a first come, first served basis, so it’s important to call as soon as possible. Once all available appointments are taken, the campaign will close. This may happen before the end of March.
- Until March 1st you can enter brief details on the Free Wills Month website and will then receive an email reminder when the scheme opens.
If you have any comments or questions about this subject, as ever, please do post them below.
This is an annual update of this post.
March 6, 2018 @ 4:26 pm
This is fab, I’ll have to check it out (I wrote my own, which obviously is nowhere near as smart as a professional one) – thanks for sharing! x
March 7, 2018 @ 10:23 am
No worries, Caz. Based on my experiences I would always recommend getting wills drawn up by a qualified solicitor. Free Wills Month is a good opportunity to have this done free of charge, and you can leave a bequest to your favourite charity as well!
February 25, 2020 @ 1:01 pm
Wow, this is brilliant! I had no idea March was Free Wills Month – I’ve been putting off doing mine for the last few years and I really should just bite the bullet and get on with it. Thanks for sharing this!
February 22, 2021 @ 10:43 am
Great idea. Just such a hard topic to discuss with certain family members. Perhaps I watch too many crime dramas where too much action occurs after the will has been drawn up.
Smart move to get it done anyway, it eases so much stress and tension for some of your loved ones.
Being able to get it done for free and donate a small amount to charity is a win-win too.
February 22, 2021 @ 8:03 pm
Thanks, Joleisa. Yes, definitely!
February 25, 2021 @ 10:58 pm
A great time to re-release this, Nick. I understand not wanting to think about the ‘what ifs’ and what happens when we’re gone, but it’s so important to face it head on and be prepared. Free Wills Month is a fantastic initiative that will hopefully help some people out & save them some pennies. xx
February 26, 2021 @ 8:43 am
Thanks, Caz. Hope you’re keeping well. x