Best Free Will Writing UK — How to Write a Will for Free

Writing a will doesn’t have to cost a penny. While paid services like Farewill (our #1 pick at £49) offer convenience, expert checking and unlimited updates, there are several ways to write a legally valid will in the UK completely free of charge. In this guide, we’ll cover all your options — from charity schemes to DIY templates — and help you decide which is right for you.

Why Write a Will at All?

Before we dive into the free options, let’s quickly recap why writing a will is so important:

• Protect your family — A will ensures your estate goes to the people you choose, not according to the rules of intestacy
• Appoint guardians — If you have children under 18, a will lets you name their guardians
• Avoid family disputes — Clear instructions prevent arguments and legal battles
• Make charitable donations — You can leave gifts to causes you care about
• Save time and stress — Dying without a will (intestate) makes things much harder for your family

Over half of UK adults don’t have a will. If you’re one of them, writing one — even for free — is one of the most important things you can do this year.

Free Will Writing Options in the UK — Comparison

Here’s a comparison of the main ways to write a will for free in the UK:

Option 1: Will Aid — Free Wills in November

Will Aid (willaid.org.uk) is a partnership between solicitors and nine UK charities. Every November, participating solicitors write wills for free, asking clients to make a voluntary donation to the Will Aid charities instead of paying their normal fee. The suggested donation is £100 for a single will and £180 for mirror wills, but you can pay what you can afford.

Pros:

• Written by a qualified solicitor — the highest level of professional oversight
• Supports good causes (Cancer Research UK, British Red Cross, Oxfam, Save the Children, NSPCC, Trócaire, ActionAid, Sightsavers, Y Care International)
• Legally robust — solicitor-drafted wills are the gold standard

Cons:

• Only available in November
• Appointments can be hard to get — book early
• The suggested donation is voluntary but many people feel obligated to pay it
• No free storage or updates

Best for: People who want a solicitor-drafted will and can wait until November.

Option 2: Cancer Research UK Free Will Service

Cancer Research UK offers a free will writing service through participating solicitors. The charity covers the cost of a basic will, meaning you pay nothing. In return, many people choose to leave a gift in their will to Cancer Research UK, though this is not obligatory.

Pros:

• Completely free — the charity pays the solicitor’s fee
• Solicitor-drafted — high quality, legally robust
• Available year-round (not just November)
• Supports cancer research

Cons:

• Limited to participating solicitors — not available in all areas
• “Basic will” only — complex estates may incur charges
• No free storage or updates included

Best for: People who want a free solicitor-drafted will and want to support cancer research.

Option 3: Employer-Provided Free Will Schemes

Many employers offer free will writing as an employee benefit, often through partnerships with services like Farewill. If your employer participates, you may be able to write your will through Farewill at no cost — getting the full Farewill service (expert checking, unlimited updates, cloud storage) for free.

Pros:

• Premium service at no cost — all the benefits of a paid service
• Expert checking included
• Unlimited free updates
• Cloud storage included
• Often available year-round

Cons:

• Only available if your employer offers it
• You may need to ask your HR department about availability

Best for: Anyone whose employer offers this benefit.

Tip: Even if your employer doesn’t have a formal scheme, Farewill is our #1 pick at just £49 — see our full Farewill review.

Option 4: DIY Will Templates

You can write a will yourself using a free template. Several organisations provide free will templates, including:

• Law Society — provides guidance on writing a will
• Citizens Advice — offers information and templates
• Various websites offer free downloadable will templates

Pros:

• Completely free — no cost at all
• No appointment needed — do it in your own time
• Full control over the content

Cons:

• No expert checking — you’re responsible for getting it right
• Risk of errors — a poorly drafted will can be invalid or cause disputes
• No storage — you need to keep the will safe yourself
• No updates service — you’ll need to rewrite or add a codicil for any changes
• Not suitable for anything beyond the simplest estate

Best for: People with very simple estates who are confident in their ability to follow the legal requirements.

⚠️ Warning: A DIY will that is not properly signed, witnessed and dated is not legally valid. If in doubt, use a free solicitor scheme or a low-cost service like Farewill (£49).

Option 5: National Free Will Network

The National Free Will Network connects people with solicitors who offer free basic wills. Similar to the Cancer Research UK scheme, the solicitor’s fee is waived for a standard will.

Pros:

• Solicitor-drafted — high quality
• Free of charge
• Available in many areas

Cons:

• “Basic will” only — extras cost money
• Not available everywhere
• No storage or updates

How Do Free Options Compare to Paid Services?

While free will writing is genuinely available, paid services offer significant advantages:

If you can afford £49, a paid service like Farewill offers much better convenience and long-term value. But if cost is a genuine barrier, the free options above are all legitimate ways to get a legally valid will.

Our Recommendation

Here’s our quick decision guide:

1. If your employer offers a free will scheme — use it. You’ll likely get Farewill or a similar premium service at no cost.
2. If you can wait until November — use Will Aid for a free solicitor-drafted will.
3. If you want a free will year-round — use the Cancer Research UK free will service.
4. If you want the best overall experience and can afford £49 — use Farewill (our #1 pick).
5. If you have a very simple estate and are confident — a DIY template is free, but proceed with caution.

Whatever you choose, the most important thing is to actually write your will. Over half of UK adults haven’t — don’t be one of them.

Pros and Cons of Free Will Writing

FAQ — Free Will Writing

Can I really write a will for free in the UK?

Yes. Will Aid offers free solicitor-drafted wills every November (donation requested but voluntary). Cancer Research UK offers free wills year-round through participating solicitors. Some employers offer free will writing as a benefit. You can also use a free DIY template, though this carries more risk.

Are free wills legally binding?

Yes. A will written through Will Aid or Cancer Research UK is written by a qualified solicitor and is fully legally binding. A DIY will is also legally binding if it is properly signed, witnessed and dated in accordance with the Wills Act 1837. The risk with DIY wills is that the content may not accurately reflect your wishes or may contain errors.

What is Will Aid?

Will Aid (willaid.org.uk) is a charity scheme run every November where participating solicitors write wills for free, asking for a voluntary donation to nine UK charities instead of their normal fee.

Is a free will as good as a paid will?

A free solicitor-drafted will (through Will Aid or Cancer Research UK) is just as legally valid as a paid one. However, free schemes typically don’t include free updates, storage, or the convenience of an online service. Paid services like Farewill (£49) offer these extras, which many people find worth the modest fee.

Where can I find free will templates?

The Law Society and Citizens Advice provide guidance on writing a will. There are also various websites that offer free will templates. However, we recommend using a free solicitor scheme or a low-cost service like Farewill instead of a DIY template, to reduce the risk of errors.

Final Thoughts

Free will writing is a fantastic option for those who can’t afford a paid service. The charity schemes — Will Aid and Cancer Research UK — are particularly good because they give you a solicitor-drafted will at no cost. If you can afford £49, however, Farewill offers the best combination of price, convenience and features, and remains our #1 recommended service.

Whatever you do, don’t put it off. Writing a will takes less time than watching an episode of your favourite show — and it’s one of the most important things you can do for your family.

👉 Compare all UK will writing services

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Ready to write your will? Here are our recommended providers:

• Make a Will Online — Simple online will from just £[X]. Awin verified.
• ActiveWills — Professional will writing with expert review. Awin verified.
• Farewill — The UK’s most popular online will service from £49.