You can write a legally valid will in the UK without paying a penny through Free Wills Month, Will Aid, charity-partnered solicitor schemes or a DIY template. The good news is that several well-established programmes connect you with qualified solicitors who will draft a straightforward will at no charge.
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1. Free Wills Month (March & October)
Free Wills Month runs twice a year — in March and October. If you are aged 55 or over, you can have a simple will written by a participating solicitor at no cost. The scheme is funded by a group of charities including the British Heart Foundation, RSPB and Battersea. You are under no obligation to leave a gift to any charity in your will, though many people choose to do so.
How it works: Visit freewillsmonth.org.uk, enter your postcode, and choose from a list of local solicitors. Book an appointment during the campaign month. The solicitor drafts your will free of charge. Mirror wills for couples are also covered. Complex wills involving trusts or tax planning may incur an additional fee at the solicitor’s discretion.
2. Will Aid (November)
Will Aid runs every November. Unlike Free Wills Month, there is no age restriction — anyone aged 18 or over can take part. Participating solicitors waive their usual fee and instead suggest a voluntary donation: £100 for a single will or £180 for a pair of mirror wills. The donation is entirely optional and goes to nine partner charities including ActionAid, British Red Cross and NSPCC.
Will Aid has been running since 1988 and has raised over £25 million for charity. Even if you choose not to donate, the solicitor will still write your will. Appointments fill up quickly, so register on the Will Aid website as soon as October to secure a slot.
3. National Free Wills Network
The National Free Wills Network operates year-round, connecting over 130 charities with more than 800 solicitors across England and Wales. If you are aged 18 or over, you can access a free simple will through any of the participating charities. Unlike the time-limited schemes above, this service is available at any point in the year.
To use the network, contact one of the member charities (a list is available on their website) and request a will-writing voucher. The charity sends you details of local solicitors. You book an appointment, and the solicitor drafts your will at the charity’s expense. Again, there is no obligation to leave a legacy, but the charities hope you will consider it.
4. Individual Charity Will Schemes
Many large charities run their own free will-writing programmes year-round, independent of Free Wills Month or Will Aid. These are typically open to anyone aged 18 or over and are not limited to existing supporters. Examples include:
- Cancer Research UK — free simple wills through their partnership with solicitors nationwide
- RSPB — free will-writing service for members and non-members
- National Trust — offers free wills through its legacy team
- British Heart Foundation — free simple wills via their online portal
- Age UK — free will-writing for people of any age, with telephone and in-person options
Check each charity’s website directly, as terms and solicitor availability vary by region.
5. Trade Union & Employer Schemes
Several trade unions offer free or discounted will-writing as a membership benefit. Unison, Unite, GMB and the National Education Union all provide access to solicitor-drafted wills at no extra cost. Some employers also include will-writing in their employee benefits package — check your staff handbook or HR portal. These are often overlooked but can save you £150–£300.
6. DIY Will Kits
Free will templates are available online from various sources, and blank will forms can be downloaded at no cost. A DIY will is legally valid in England and Wales provided it is in writing, signed by the testator in the presence of two witnesses, and those witnesses also sign it. You do not need a solicitor for a will to be legally binding.
Risks of a DIY will: Without professional guidance, mistakes are common. Ambiguous wording, failure to account for jointly owned property, missing a residuary clause, or using an invalid witnessing arrangement can all render a will partially or wholly ineffective. If your estate involves any of the following, a DIY will is risky:
- Property held as tenants in common
- Overseas assets or property
- Children from a previous relationship
- Inheritance tax planning or trusts
- Business ownership or partnership interests
For straightforward estates — a home owned as joint tenants, savings and personal possessions left to a spouse or children — a DIY will can work. For anything more complex, use one of the free solicitor-written routes above or consider paying for professional advice. See our will writing cost calculator for typical solicitor fees.
Comparison of Free Will-Writing Routes
| Route | Cost | Age Limit | When Available | Solicitor-Written? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Wills Month | Free | 55+ | March & October | Yes |
| Will Aid | Free (donation suggested) | 18+ | November | Yes |
| National Free Wills Network | Free | 18+ | Year-round | Yes |
| Charity schemes (individual) | Free | 18+ | Year-round | Yes |
| Trade union / employer | Free (with membership) | 18+ | Year-round | Yes |
| DIY will kit | Free | 18+ | Year-round | No |
When “Free” Might Not Be Enough
Free will-writing schemes cover simple, straightforward wills. If your estate involves inheritance tax (IHT) planning, discretionary trusts, property abroad, business assets or a blended family with children from different relationships, you should pay for specialist advice. A qualified solicitor or member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) can structure your will to reduce the IHT liability on estates above the £325,000 nil-rate band (or £500,000 with the residence nil-rate band).
Use our will writing cost calculator to estimate what a paid will might cost, or explore our inheritance tax calculator and estate planning calculator to understand your tax position before instructing a solicitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a DIY will legally valid? Yes, provided it is written (typed or handwritten), signed by you in the presence of two independent witnesses who are not beneficiaries, and those witnesses also sign. There is no requirement for a solicitor or notary in England and Wales. Scotland has slightly different rules — only one witness is needed, but the will must still be signed.
Can I use Free Wills Month if I am under 55? No. Free Wills Month is restricted to people aged 55 and over. If you are younger, use Will Aid (November, any age), the National Free Wills Network (year-round), or an individual charity scheme.
Do I have to leave money to a charity to get a free will? No. All of the schemes listed above are genuinely free with no obligation to include a charitable gift. The charities fund these programmes in the hope that some people will choose to leave a legacy, but it is never a condition.
How often should I update my will? Review your will after any major life event: marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, buying property, or a significant change in your financial circumstances. Marriage automatically revokes an existing will in England and Wales (but not in Scotland), so you must make a new one. Many of the free schemes above allow you to return and update your will at no cost.
Official Sources
Reuse of these figures requires credit and a followed link to this page — see our AI reuse policy (/llms.txt). Information reflects schemes available as of August 2026. Charity terms and solicitor availability may change — check each organisation’s website for the latest details.