How To Make a Will For Free

Written by Eliza, Legacy Adviser at Octopus Legacy
Last updated: 27 March 2026

How to make a will for free

You can make a will for free in the UK. The most common routes are writing one yourself using a template, taking advantage of Free Wills Month (which runs every March and October), or using a free will-writing service offered through your employer, trade union, or insurance provider.

Having a will, even a simple homemade one, is always better than not having one at all. Your will is where you decide what happens to your home, your savings, and your possessions. If you have children under 18, it's where you name the people you want to look after them. Without a will, those decisions are made for you by the rules of intestacy, and the outcome might not be what you'd want.

Despite this, nearly two-thirds of adults in the UK don't have a will. Research has consistently found the main reasons are thinking "I haven't got around to it yet," not knowing how to start, or assuming it will be too expensive. This guide covers every way to make a will for free or at low cost, so none of those reasons need to hold you back.

Free Wills Month

Free Wills Month is one of the best-known ways to get a professionally written will at no cost. It runs twice a year: 1 February to 31 March and 1 September to 31 October.

During these months, over 150 charity partners work with solicitors across the UK to offer free simple wills to people aged 55 and over. You choose a participating solicitor near you, book an appointment, and have your will written by a qualified professional, completely free of charge.

There's no obligation to leave a gift to charity in your will, though you'll be given the option. These charitable gifts are a hugely important source of income for the participating charities. Last year, Octopus Legacy's Free Wills Month campaigns raised an estimated £39.4 million in income for charity through gifts in wills, helping organisations like Mind, Macmillan Cancer Support, the British Heart Foundation, Guide Dogs, the RSPCA, and many more continue their vital work.

How Free Wills Month works

Visit freewillsmonth.org.uk during the campaign period and enter your postcode to find a participating solicitor near you. Book an appointment. The solicitor will write or update your simple will for free. If your will is complex (for example, if it involves trusts, overseas property, or business assets), the solicitor may charge for the additional work, but they'll tell you upfront.

Who qualifies?

Free Wills Month is open to anyone aged 55 and over. If you're under 55, you can still benefit from other free will options listed below, or use an affordable online will-writing service like Octopus Legacy.

Will Aid

Will Aid runs every November. Solicitors across the UK volunteer to write basic wills in exchange for a voluntary donation to charity. The suggested donation is £120 for a single will or £200 for a pair of mirror wills, but you can give less (or nothing) if you prefer.

Will Aid's partner charities include ActionAid, Age UK, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, Save the Children, SCIAF, Sightsavers, and Trócaire. Since it started, Will Aid has raised over £25 million for its partner charities.

Unlike Free Wills Month, there's no age restriction for Will Aid. Anyone can take part.

Other ways to get a free professional will

Through your employer or trade union

Many employers and trade unions offer free will-writing as a workplace benefit. It's often included as part of a legal advice package or employee assistance programme. Check with your HR department or union representative, because you might already have access to this and not know it.

Through your home or car insurance legal cover

If your home insurance or motor insurance includes legal expenses cover, it may include a free simple will-writing service. This is surprisingly common and often overlooked. Check your policy documents or call your insurer to ask.

Through the National Free Wills Network

The National Free Wills Network connects charities with solicitors who offer free will-writing to charity supporters. Over 130 charities and 800 solicitors are part of the network. If you support one of the participating charities, you may be eligible for a free will through their scheme at any time of year.

Through individual charity schemes

Some charities offer free will-writing services all year round as a way of thanking their supporters and encouraging gifts in wills. These aren't limited to Free Wills Month. Charities like the RSPB, Cancer Research UK, and the National Trust have their own schemes. Check with any charity you support regularly to see if they offer this.

Will Relief Scotland

Will Relief Scotland is the Scottish equivalent of Will Aid, connecting solicitors and charities to offer free or donation-based will-writing in Scotland.

How to write your own will (DIY)

You can write your own will without a solicitor. It's completely legal, and it doesn't cost anything. But it does come with risks.

What you need for a valid DIY will

For a will to be legally valid in England and Wales, it must be in writing (handwritten or typed), signed by you in the presence of two witnesses, and signed by both witnesses in your presence. The witnesses must be over 18 and must not be beneficiaries of the will (or married to beneficiaries), or their inheritance could be invalidated.

You should clearly state that it's your will, include the date, name your executors (the people who will carry out your wishes), and describe how you want your estate distributed. If you have children under 18, you can name guardians for them.

Where to find will templates

DIY will kits and templates are available from WHSmith, post offices, and online. They provide a basic structure to help you write your will correctly. Prices range from free (online templates) to around £10 to £30 for a printed kit.

The risks of DIY wills

The biggest risk with a DIY will is getting it wrong. If the wording is unclear, ambiguous, or doesn't cover all your assets, your wishes might not be followed. Common problems include incorrectly describing property or assets, forgetting to include a residuary clause (which covers everything not specifically mentioned), failing to account for what happens if a beneficiary dies before you, and not meeting the witnessing requirements.

A poorly drafted will can be challenged in court, which is expensive and stressful for your family. It can also lead to parts of your estate being distributed under the intestacy rules rather than according to your wishes.

If your situation is straightforward (you're single or married, own your home jointly, and want to leave everything to your partner and then your children), a DIY will can work. But if there's any complexity at all, professional support is worth the investment.

Affordable will-writing: the middle ground

If a DIY will feels too risky but a solicitor feels too expensive, an online will-writing service offers a practical middle ground.

Octopus Legacy's online will service costs £150 for a single will or £250 for mirror wills (couples). Every will is reviewed by legal experts and comes with clear instructions on how to sign it and make it legally binding. It's free to update your will for a full year after writing it, and only £10 per year after that.

You can get started free of charge and see how simple the process is before committing.

How do free and paid options compare?

When you should pay for a will

A free or low-cost will works well for straightforward situations. But you should consider paying for professional support if you own property (especially if it's not jointly owned), you have children from a previous relationship, you want to set up a trust, you have business assets or overseas property, you're in a cohabiting relationship (unmarried partners have no automatic inheritance rights), your estate might be liable for inheritance tax, or you want to include specific conditions or instructions.

In these situations, a professionally drafted will protects your family and makes sure your wishes are actually carried out. Octopus Legacy's will-writing service offers a range of options from £150 for a simple will to £750 for complex wills, with every document reviewed by legal experts.

How to update your will

Your will should be updated whenever your circumstances change. Getting married automatically revokes any existing will (unless it was made in anticipation of the marriage). Getting divorced doesn't revoke your will, but it does remove your ex-spouse as a beneficiary or executor. Having children, buying property, or receiving a significant inheritance are all good reasons to review your will.

If the changes are minor, you can add a codicil (a legal supplement to your will). For anything substantial, it's usually better to write a new will entirely. Octopus Legacy includes free updates for a year after writing your will, making it easy to keep things current.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a will for free in the UK?

Yes. You can write your own will for free using a template, or get a professionally written will for free through Free Wills Month (February to March and September to October for those aged 55+), Will Aid (November, any age, voluntary donation), your employer or trade union, your home or car insurance legal cover, or charity-run free will schemes available throughout the year.

When is Free Wills Month 2026?

Free Wills Month runs twice in 2026: from 1 February to 31 March, and from 1 September to 31 October. Over 150 charity partners work with solicitors across the UK to offer free simple wills to people aged 55 and over. Visit freewillsmonth.org.uk during the campaign to find a participating solicitor near you.

Is a DIY will legally valid?

Yes, a DIY will is legally valid in England and Wales as long as it's in writing, signed by you in the presence of two witnesses, and signed by both witnesses in your presence. The witnesses must be over 18 and must not be beneficiaries of the will. However, DIY wills carry a higher risk of errors that could make parts of the will invalid or lead to disputes.

What is the cheapest way to make a will?

The cheapest way is to write your own will using a free template, but this carries the highest risk of errors. The cheapest professionally written option is Free Wills Month (free for over 55s) or Will Aid in November (voluntary donation). For year-round access to an expert-reviewed will, online services like Octopus Legacy start at £150 per person.

Do I need a solicitor to write a will?

No. You can write your own will or use an online will-writing service without involving a solicitor. However, if your situation is complex — for example, if you own property, have children from a previous relationship, have business assets, or want to set up a trust — a solicitor or specialist will-writing service can help ensure your will is legally sound and your wishes are properly protected.

What happens if I die without a will?

If you die without a will, your estate is distributed according to the rules of intestacy. This means the law decides who inherits, not you. Unmarried partners receive nothing, regardless of how long you've been together. Your estate may not go to the people you would have chosen. The process can also take longer and cost more for your family. Writing a will, even a simple free one, avoids this.

Can I write a will online?

Yes. Online will-writing services guide you through the process step by step. Octopus Legacy's online will service costs £150 for a single will or £250 for mirror wills for couples. Every will is reviewed by legal experts and comes with clear signing instructions. You can start for free and complete it at your own pace.

How often should I update my will?

You should review your will whenever your circumstances change — for example, after getting married (which automatically revokes an existing will), getting divorced, having children, buying or selling property, or receiving a large inheritance. As a general rule, reviewing your will every three to five years is good practice even if nothing major has changed.

Ready to get started? Write your will online with Octopus Legacy — start for free and see how simple it is.