By Chris Watts, Private Client Consultant – Fern Wills & LPAs
Last verified: 1 November 2025 (England & Wales)
Free-will schemes raise funds for good causes and help some people make a basic will.
Most schemes cover the absolute basics only. Anything beyond that attracts normal fees.
Donation requests are optional, but the expectation is clear.
If you have children or property, or any blended-family or trust needs, a basic will is rarely suitable.
A tailored will and clear plan for trusts and LPAs prevent false economy and future stress.
There is no such thing as free — only what’s included and what’s left out.
Free today can be expensive tomorrow.
What “basic” really means
One or two main beneficiaries. No trusts. No step-children or former partners. No business or overseas assets. Limited meeting time.
If it’s truly basic, it may be free. If it matters, it isn’t.
Appointment scarcity and data
Slots are limited. You will usually share contact details with both the charity and the participating firm for administration and follow-up.
Donation culture
Donations and legacies are described as voluntary, yet the cultural expectation is strong. Many clients feel obliged to match the notional value of the work or add a legacy to justify the “free” service.
Upgrade reality
Trusts, life-interest protection, guardianship detail, business or cross-border issues sit outside the scheme. You will be quoted standard fees for these.
False simplicity
Most people believe they need “just a basic will”. In truth, if you own property, have children, or have a blended family, you almost certainly need more. Without that, assets can pass in unintended ways or create inheritance-tax and care-fee exposure.
Storage and updates
“Free storage” is not equal. Check custody standards, retrieval process, and update policy. Ask where and how documents are held and what happens on death or firm closure.
Basic schemes are designed for basic needs, and most families aren’t basic.
Mr and Mrs Patel used a charity free-will offer. They owned a home jointly and had two children from earlier relationships. They wanted the survivor protected without disinheriting either side. The scheme covered a pair of basic wills only. Once trusts and guardianship were discussed, the work moved outside the free scope and normal fees applied.
They paused, then came to Fern Wills & LPAs for a full plan that matched their family and property goals — including a Property Life Interest Trust and clear guardianship clauses.
What seems “simple” often hides complex family dynamics.
A widowed father had relied on a charity-drafted will leaving everything outright to his second wife. The plan ignored his children from the first marriage and offered no trust protection. When he died, the house passed entirely to the second wife. She later changed her own will, leaving most of the estate to her own children.
The original family lost over £250,000 in assets that could have been preserved through a simple Property Life Interest Trust or a Flexible Life Interest Trust, discussed during a proper consultation.
The same review could have identified potentially-exempt transfers and charity-giving routes that reduce inheritance tax by 10% while keeping the family secure.
A free will can cost your loved ones their inheritance.
Are free-will schemes bad?
No. They suit genuinely simple situations and raise money for good causes. The key is scope and suitability.
What does a free scheme usually include?
A basic will only, with limited appointment time. Storage and updates vary. Trusts, LPAs, and tax planning are not included.
Why might a basic will be risky for my family?
If you own property, have children, or a blended family, you often need clearer protections. Without them, assets can pass in ways you never intended or be exposed on remarriage or to care costs.
Do I have to donate or leave a legacy?
No, but donation and legacy language are strongly encouraged. Decide freely and with full information.
Can I still support charity?
Yes. You can include gifts to charity within a tailored will. Charitable giving can also reduce inheritance tax under current rules when structured correctly.
Give generously, but give wisely, with advice.
If you want a will that fits your exact situation, we offer clear fixed fees and explain when trusts or LPAs add value. You can still support your preferred charity inside a proper plan — without pressure, guilt, or compromise.
The best way to give is from strength, not from pressure.
