Frequently asked questions about our free Will writing services

Yes, it is completely free for you. We’ll cover the cost of writing or updating your simple Will with our trusted partners.

A simple Will is a legal document that states who will inherit your assets and belongings after you pass away. You can also name an Executor(s) to carry out your wishes, and a Guardian(s) to care for your dependents.

A complex Will provides you with much more in-depth ways to distribute your estate.* You can discuss this with your chosen solicitor from the National Free Wills Network (additional fees may be applicable).

*everything owned by a person who has died is known as their estate.

Yes, you can make a completely new Will, either online or with a solicitor in person. It’s best to destroy your old Will to save any confusion.

If you want to amend your existing Will using the same solicitors, email legacies@pancreaticcancer.org.uk with the name and location of your solicitor. Then we can find out if they offer free Wills through our partner, the National Free Wills Network.

There is no obligation to leave a gift, but many kind supporters choose to leave us a percentage of their estate*, which allows them to provide for loved ones first.

Gifts of all sizes support ground-breaking research into early diagnosis and better treatment and care. And allow us to provide information and specialist nurse support to people affected by pancreatic cancer.

Together we can transform the future. Thank you so much if you are considering supporting us in this very special way.

*everything owned by a person who has died is known as their estate.

Any gifts left to charities, including Pancreatic Cancer UK, may reduce, or even eliminate your inheritance tax liability. Gifts to charities are 100% tax free.

Leaving 10% or more of your net estate* to charities will reduce inheritance tax on the remainder of your estate from 40% to 36%.

Please be aware that these rates may be subject to change and inheritance tax is a complex and often changing area of law. We do advise speaking with a professional, or visit the HMRC website to find out more.

*everything owned by a person who has died is known as their estate.

Farewill is the UK’s leading online Will provider and has been crowned National Will Writing Firm of the Year at the British Wills and Probate Awards every year since 2019.

Farewill’s Will-writing process is overseen by their legal team, headed up by a STEP-qualified solicitor. Every Will written through Farewill is reviewed by a Will-writing specialist who is supervised by their legal team of qualified, SRA regulated, solicitors.

1. Simply follow Farewill’s instructions to write your online Will in less than 30 minutes.
2. Within 5 days a Will-writing specialist will check your Will.
3. Once you have completed and checked your online Will, you’ll see the option to print it. You can choose to order a printed copy for £5.64, or print it yourself for free.
4. Whichever option you choose, the Will comes with a set of instructions explaining how to sign it to make it legally binding and how to store it – either at home or through the probate service.

Differences in the law around Will-writing and inheritance mean we can only offer our free online service to supporters who live in England or Wales. If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, we can offer a free Will through our trusted partners, the National Free Wills Network.

The National Free Wills Network is a collaboration between charities and local SRA regulated solicitors. Together, we provide free Will-writing services for people who support charities.

1. Complete our online form, giving us permission to forward your contact details securely to the National Free Wills Network
2. The National Free Wills Network will send you details of participating SRA-regulated solicitors in your area. You can choose to receive details by post or email.
3. You can then contact one of the solicitors to make your appointment.
4. The solicitor will take your instructions, draft your Will and help you sign your Will in front of independent witnesses.

The Goodwill Partnership is the leading provider of home-visit Wills in England and Wales. Every Will is approved by a solicitor (regulated by SRA and The Law Society) and is sent directly to your door! We have partnered with them to offer dedicated supporters like you, the opportunity to write your Will for free, in the comfort of your own home.

1. Fill in our online form – https://www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk/get-involved/leave-a-gift-in-your-will/goodwill-partnership
2. We’ll pass your details securely to The Goodwill Partnership
3. In 5-7 days, a trained counsellor from The Goodwill Partnership will get in touch to arrange a home visit at a convenient time for you to take your Will instructions. If you’d prefer, you can arrange a telephone or video-call appointment.
4. During your home visit or appointment, your trained counsellor will walk you through the process and you can simply chat through your wishes.
5. After your home visit or appointment, a solicitor will check your Will and then it will be delivered to your doorstep.

A trained counsellor will visit your home, at the time you’ve arranged with them.

Before the visit, you and your trained counsellor will be given a unique 4-digit code. When the counsellor arrives, you can ask them to tell you the 4-digit code so you can be reassured they are a Goodwill Partnership counsellor. The trained counsellor will also have identification from The Goodwill Partnership.

If you prefer, you can book a telephone or video-call appointment when your trained counsellor gets in touch to arrange the initial appointment.

We’re so sorry that you haven’t heard anything. You should have received a confirmation email from The Goodwill Partnership with a link so you can contact them. If you haven’t received this email, email Clare [link to my email address] and she will follow this up for you.

It is very common for couples to make similar (“mirror”) Wills and you can have both for free. When the Goodwill Partnership call to book the appointment, they will decide if it’s a single or joint Will that is required.

• Your Will instructions taken by the counsellor will be delivered securely to the Goodwill Partnership’s head office by prepaid post, and they will be checked and processed before being allocated to on one of their panel solicitors. You will be contacted directly by the Goodwill Partnership if there are any queries regarding your instructions.
• Once received, the panel solicitors will store your signed Will instructions and a qualified solicitor will check your draft Will(s) before sending them to you.

You should receive your completed Will within 40 working days of meeting the counsellor This may take a little longer because the solicitor may have some questions before they are satisfied the Will is complete.

Urgent Wills can best be provided by a local solicitor. If you need to see a solicitor to make your Will urgently, contact Clare Norman legacies@pancreaticcancer.org.uk or call her on 07773 618166. Clare will liaise with our partners, the National Free Wills Network, to see if a local solicitor is available urgently for you.

You will need to sign and date your Will before two witnesses who do not benefit under your Will. Then you need to send the Will back to the Goodwill Partnership in their pre-paid envelope, so they can confirm the Will has been properly signed. Full instructions will be provided when you first receive your Will.

You have the option to pay Membership and the Goodwill Partnership will store your Will securely for £24 per year (paid by standing order). Or you can store the Will yourself in a secure place. This Membership will also cover you for any future changes to the Will (subject to £25 for each change to cover administration and postage).

The Goodwill Partnership offer Membership for £24 per annum incl VAT, paid annually by Standing Order.  This provides secure storage of the Will at their Head Office and also means you can amend your Will for free at any time in the future. The only additional cost each time you change your Will, is £25 to cover administration and postage.