How to write your will

Having an up-to-date will is the only way to be sure that the people and causes you care about are looked after in the future. There are different ways you can write a will and you'll need to choose the one that suits your circumstances.

If you decide an online or face-to-face will is right for you, we’ve partnered with organisations where you can write a simple will for free.

Whichever way you choose, you don’t have to leave us a gift in your will but we do hope you’ll consider it. Any gift, no matter the size, will help us care for nature and historic buildings for future generations.

It's Free Wills Month

We've partnered with Free Wills Month, which means that from 1 to 31 October, you can create or amend a simple will for free if you're 55 or over.

Free Wills Month brings together several different charities to offer this service to their supporters, and will help you get in touch with a participating solicitor in select UK locations to draw up a simple will or update one for free.

To take part: 

• Follow the link below to the Free Wills Month website and type in your postcode to find out if solicitors are taking part in your local area.
• Book an appointment directly with the solicitor by 31 October. The appointment itself can be at a later date.

While there's no obligation to leave a gift to us, we do hope you'll consider it. Every gift, no matter the size, can help care for nature, beauty and history for future generations.

If there isn't a participating solicitor in your area and you're under 55, you can still write your will for free using one of our other free will writing services.

Writing your will online

You can choose to write your will online from the comfort of your own home at a time that suits you. 

Bequeathed

If you decide that writing a will online is for you, we’ve partnered with Bequeathed to help you write or update your will for free.

1. When you’re ready, visit the Bequeathed website and follow the steps and guidance to register and start the online interview.
2. You’ll receive expert advice and guidance to help you complete your will in your own time.
3. Once the process is complete, they will send you your will, either by post or digitally for you to sign and have witnessed, and you can return it for secure storage at no extra cost.

A simple will is suitable for most people and is free of charge. If your will is more complicated, they will tell you what cannot be done for free.

You can choose to book your free 30-minute appointment by phone or video call, at home or in the office, with an accredited legal firm to check the will fulfils your wishes.

Writing your will with a solicitor or will writer

The benefits of using a solicitor or professional will writer are that you can seek advice on any decisions and their impact. They can also ensure that important details are correct, the money you’re gifting can be used in the way you intend it to and help minimise any potential future problems.

National Free Wills Network

If you decide that using a solicitor or professional will writer is the right option for you, you can write or amend your will face-to-face for free with the National Free Wills Network.

This network gives you access to hundreds of solicitors across the nation to make it easier for you to tailor your will to your needs. All you need to do is:

1. Fill in the enquiry form to let us know you’d like to use the National Free Wills Network.
2. We’ll refer you to the Network and they’ll send a pack directly to you containing a list of your local participating solicitors and a form.
3. Contact your chosen solicitor to make an appointment, take along your completed form and get your simple will written for free.

For a more complex will, solicitors will discuss any potential costs with you so you won’t end up with an unexpected bill.

Request your free Gifts in Wills Guide

Learn more about how gifts in wills of every size help to support our work caring for natural spaces, irreplaceable landscapes and unique buildings. You can also find out more about the process behind making your will and keeping it up to date.