People aged 55 and over in the UK have the opportunity to get a free will this March as part of Free Wills Month, an initiative that brings together charities and solicitors to offer this essential legal service.
According to Manchester Evening News, the scheme allows eligible individuals to have a simple will drafted or updated at no cost, potentially saving them at least £150, the standard fee for such a service. With appointments available on a first-come, first-served basis, early participation is recommended.
How Free Wills Month works
Free Wills Month takes place twice a year, during March and October, and is available only in certain areas across the UK. The initiative enables individuals aged 55 and over to have a basic will written at no charge.
For married couples or partners, the scheme also offers the option of mirror wills, which allow both individuals to have similar wills reflecting shared wishes. While the service covers simple wills, more complex arrangements, such as those involving trusts or business assets, may not be eligible under this scheme.
The campaign is made possible through the involvement of national charities, which cover the costs of the will-writing service in collaboration with solicitors.
In return, these charities encourage, but do not require, individuals to consider leaving a charitable gift in their will. These legacy donations play a significant role in funding many charitable programs, helping organisations sustain their work over the long term.
Appointments with participating solicitors are available throughout March, but they may be fully booked before the end of the month. Because the scheme operates on a first-come, first-served basis, those interested should make an appointment as soon as possible to avoid missing out.
Charities involved
Several national charities support Free Wills Month, working together with solicitors across the country to provide the service. Among the organisations involved are Age UK, British Heart Foundation, Dogs Trust, Guide Dogs, Help for Heroes, Marie Curie, Mencap, Mind, NSPCC, Oxfam, and the Royal British Legion.
These charities play a key role in funding the initiative and raising awareness about the importance of will writing. By participating in Free Wills Month, individuals have the opportunity to arrange their estate planning while also learning about the work of these charities.
Some may choose to include a charitable bequest in their will, ensuring that a portion of their estate goes toward supporting causes they care about. While this is not a requirement, many charities rely on these types of legacy donations as an important source of funding.
Full list of participating areas
Free Wills Month is only available in selected locations across the UK, and participation varies between different regions in March and October. Those who wish to take part must check their postcode on the official website to determine if they are eligible.
The locations included in the March 2024 campaign are :
Aberdeen, Barry, Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Birmingham, Blackpool, Bristol, Buckinghamshire, Cardiff, Chesterfield, Chichester, Coventry, Crawley, Darlington, Dundee, Eastbourne, Edinburgh, Essex, Fife, Glasgow, Harrogate, Hastings, Hertfordshire, Horsham, Inverness, Kent, Kilmarnock, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Mid Wales, Middlesbrough, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Wales, Northamptonshire, Norwich, Perth, Peterborough, Sheffield, Sunderland, Surrey, Swansea, Wirral, Wolverhampton, and Worthing.
Those living in areas not included in the March campaign may have the opportunity to participate when the scheme runs again in October.
How to apply
To determine eligibility and book an appointment, individuals should visit the Free Wills Month official website. The process involves checking the postcode to confirm whether a participating solicitor is available in the local area.
Once confirmed, applicants can contact the solicitor directly to arrange an appointment. However, due to high demand, early booking is strongly recommended. Appointments are limited and may be fully allocated before the end of the month.
