Around half of UK adults still die without a will, often because they assume writing one is expensive. In reality there are several well-established schemes that let you have a simple will drafted by a qualified solicitor for free or for a small donation. This guide walks through the main routes, who they suit, the catches to watch for, and when paying a solicitor is the smarter choice.
Why Having a Will Matters
If you die without a valid will (“intestate”), the rules of intestacy decide who inherits — not you. Unmarried partners and stepchildren receive nothing automatically, and assets can be split in ways that leave a surviving spouse short of cash. A will lets you:
- Name the people (and charities) who should inherit your estate
- Appoint guardians for children under 18
- Choose executors you trust to deal with the estate
- Use exemptions and the residence nil-rate band efficiently for inheritance tax — see our Beginner’s Guide to Inheritance Tax for how the £325,000 / £500,000 thresholds work
- Spell out funeral wishes and small personal gifts
For most people with straightforward affairs, a simple will is enough — and one of the schemes below will cover it at no cost.
Free Wills Month (March and October)
Free Wills Month runs every March and October. Participating solicitors across the UK will write or update a simple will free of charge for anyone aged 55 or over (or for couples where at least one partner is 55+).
The scheme is funded by a group of well-known charities (such as Cancer Research UK, the British Heart Foundation, the RNLI and Age UK). There is no obligation to leave a charitable gift, but you are gently invited to consider one.
Who it suits: homeowners and couples over 55 with relatively straightforward estates who want a professionally drafted will without paying high-street fees.
Watch out for: appointment slots fill up early in the campaign window — book a participating solicitor as soon as the month opens.
Will Aid (Every November)
Will Aid is a long-running partnership between solicitors and nine UK charities, held throughout November each year. Participating solicitors waive their fee in exchange for a suggested voluntary donation — currently around £100 for a single basic will and £180 for a pair of mirror wills (typical for couples).
That donation is a fraction of the usual high-street price, and 100% of it goes to the partner charities (which include ActionAid, Age UK, Christian Aid, NSPCC, Save the Children and SCIAF, among others).
Who it suits: any adult age, especially couples wanting mirror wills at well below market rate from a regulated solicitor.
Watch out for: the donation is voluntary in theory but expected in practice. Complex wills (trusts, business assets, foreign property) typically incur an extra fee charged at the solicitor’s usual rate.
Charity Schemes and the National Free Wills Network
Several charities run their own year-round free will schemes through the National Free Wills Network or directly with partner solicitors. The charity covers the cost in the hope (but not the requirement) that you may leave them a legacy gift in your will.
Common examples include schemes from the RNLI, Cancer Research UK, the British Heart Foundation, Marie Curie, Macmillan, Guide Dogs, RSPCA and Age UK. Eligibility rules vary — some are open to anyone, others are restricted to over-55s or to existing supporters.
Who it suits: anyone who already supports a charity and is comfortable being matched with that charity’s panel solicitor.
Watch out for: you are under no obligation to leave the charity anything, but you will usually be asked. If a charity gift would conflict with your wishes, choose a non-charity route instead.
Over-55 Solicitor Offers and Local Authority Schemes
Outside the national campaigns, individual solicitor firms often run their own over-55 will offers at reduced or zero cost as a way of building long-term client relationships. Some local authorities and Age UK branches also signpost low-cost will-writing clinics for older residents.
It is worth searching for “free will [your town]” and asking your local Age UK or Citizens Advice office what is available locally.
Who it suits: over-55s who would like a face-to-face appointment with a local solicitor.
Watch out for: “free” sometimes means free initial consultation only, with the will itself charged at standard rates. Always confirm the total price up front.
Trade Union, Employer and Professional Body Benefits
Many trade unions include a free will-writing service as a member benefit, often delivered through a panel law firm such as Slater & Gordon, Thompsons Solicitors or Morrish Solicitors. Examples include Unison, Unite, GMB, the NEU and the RCN. Coverage typically extends to the member and their spouse / civil partner.
Some employer benefit packages (especially in financial services, the public sector and large corporates) include a group legal services perk — check your benefits portal or HR intranet for “legal advice” or “will writing”. Membership of certain professional bodies and motoring organisations occasionally includes similar perks.
Who it suits: employees and union members — especially couples, since many schemes cover mirror wills for the partner too.
Watch out for: simple wills are usually included; trusts, business interests and complex estates are normally chargeable extras.
The Armed Forces Will Scheme
Serving members of the Royal Navy, Army and RAF can have a will drafted free of charge through the Ministry of Defence’s armed forces will service. Servicepeople can also use a simplified “privileged will” while on active service, which has fewer formal requirements than a civilian will. GOV.UK has the official guidance.
Who it suits: all serving personnel — particularly anyone deploying or with young children.
Watch out for: the privileged will is intended for active service and is best replaced with a properly executed civilian will once you return.
Online and DIY Wills — And When to Pay a Solicitor
Online services such as Farewill, Co-op Legal Services, Which? Wills and various templated kits can produce a valid will for £0–£100. Some run periodic “free will” promotions in partnership with charities. They are convenient, but you are largely responsible for getting the wording right and ensuring the will is signed and witnessed correctly under the Wills Act 1837.
You should usually pay for a solicitor rather than rely on a free or DIY route if any of the following apply:
- Your estate is likely to be liable for inheritance tax (over the £325,000 / £500,000 thresholds)
- You want to set up a trust (for example, for young children, a vulnerable beneficiary, or a second marriage)
- You own a business, agricultural property, or assets overseas
- You have a blended family or want to deliberately exclude someone
- You expect the will to be contested
For complex situations, a few hundred pounds for a properly drafted will is money well spent — the cost of fixing a badly written will after death is enormous.
Is a Free Will Right For You? A Quick Decision Check
Use this short checklist to decide which route fits your circumstances:
- Simple estate, under 55, no charitable gift planned: Will Aid in November, a union/employer scheme, or a reputable online service.
- Simple estate, age 55+: Free Wills Month (March / October) is usually the best fit.
- Already a charity supporter: a National Free Wills Network scheme run by your chosen charity.
- Serving in the armed forces: use the MOD will service.
- IHT-liable estate, trusts, business assets, foreign property, or family complexity: pay a solicitor — do not rely on a free or DIY will.
Whichever route you take, store the original signed will somewhere safe (the solicitor’s strong room, the Probate Service, or with your executors) and tell your executors where to find it.
Modelling the Bigger Estate Picture in Wealth365
A will decides who inherits — but the size of what they inherit depends on how your pensions, ISAs, property and investments evolve over time, and how much inheritance tax the estate has to pay.
Wealth365 lets you project your estate value year by year, model gifts and the residence nil-rate band, and stress-test the IHT bill your executors might face. If you are logged in, open the in-app help drawer and search for “inheritance” or “legacy” to see exactly how the app models estate value, the £325,000 nil-rate band, the £175,000 residence nil-rate band, and the 7-year gifting rule.
Important: This article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Tax rules can change and individual circumstances vary. If you need advice tailored to your situation, please consult a qualified, FCA-regulated financial adviser. You can browse advisers in our adviser directory.