5 Reasons to use the Macmillan Free Will Service
Why should you have a will?
Since launching the Free Will Service in 2019, more than 56,000 people have written their will using one of our trusted will writing partners.
Everyone should have an up to date will. Having a will is a way of looking after the people and causes that you care about after you’ve died. It’s the only way to ensure your wishes are carried out. If you die without having a will, you are said to have died 'intestate'. This can make the process of dealing with an estate more complicated. It can cause added stress for your loved ones and may come at a financial cost. Below are 5 reasons why you should use the Macmillan Free Will Service.
Reason 1 – it’s free
The Macmillan Free Will Service offers a basic will, suitable for most people for free. Macmillan covers the cost of simple standard wills as part of the Macmillan Free Will Service. If your will is more complex, you might need a more detailed will writing service. For example, if you have complicated family circumstances or property abroad. Our will writers offer free advice about this and the decision to go ahead or not is yours. They will make a charge for a complex will.
We rely on gifts in wills for over a third of our income. While there is no obligation to include a gift to Macmillan in your free will, we hope that you will consider leaving a percentage of your estate to Macmillan, after taking care of loved ones. All gifts left to us help fund Macmillan's services in years to come. We're very grateful for every gift that we receive, no matter its size.
Reason 2 - it’s always available to all adults
Unlike other charities, Macmillan offers anyone aged over 18 the opportunity to create a will for free all year round. This is because we want to accommodate the varied and often unpredictable moments when our supporters need to create or update their wills.
We know that people tend to make or revise their wills at significant life events, such as getting married, after the birth of a child or a grandchild, or when planning for the future. By offering a service that’s always open, we ensure people have the flexibility to take this important step at a time that suits their circumstances. We hope this approach will empower you to secure your wishes and protect your loved ones whenever you feel ready.
Reason 3 – it’s available across the UK
The Macmillan Free Will Service is available across the UK, extending to the British Islands (The Hebrides, Orkney, Shetland, Isle of Man, Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands). We think everyone, regardless of their location, should have access to a free simple will. This means people in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the British Islands can create or update their wills with ease, without needing to travel long distances to find a reliable service.
By providing a consistent and accessible service nationwide, we can help people make sure that the people and causes they care about are taken care of. This can be done while also respecting the unique legal considerations which may apply in different parts of the UK.
Reason 4 – it’s your choice to choose the best option for you
You choose your will writing partner and writing method based on your location and what works best for you. We work with 7 will writing partners which offer a wide range of will writing methods, depending on where you are located. You can:
- use a trusted online platform for convenience
- complete your will by post
- speak to a professional over the phone or via a video call
- opt for a face-to-face consultation at home or in a branch
Having different options ensures you can access a method that feels comfortable and suits your circumstances.
To make sure you always receive the best service we have partnered with expert will writers who are either registered with or have staff registered with the Solicitor’s Regulation Authority.
Reason 5 – it can be urgent
We understand that for people with serious medical conditions, time is of the essence. Our Free Will Service ensures that if required for medical reasons, a person can quickly secure their wishes. Doing so provides peace of mind that their assets, loved ones, and future care preferences are protected without delay. Where possible, we help our supporters create or update their will swiftly, helping to remove unnecessary stress during an already challenging time.
If you need a will urgently, please contact your chosen will writing partner as soon as possible to discuss the options available to you. Please note that The Goodwill Partnership cannot provide urgent wills. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that any of our partners will be able to complete a will in exceptionally urgent circumstances. In these instances, we recommend getting in touch with a local solicitor through the Law Society (England and Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland).
