Things to consider when making or updating your Will

Why use a solicitor?

Solicitors are strictly regulated and have the expert knowledge to make sure your wishes are accurately reflected in your Will. If your Estate is complicated, it’s even more important to get legal advice. A solicitor can also advise on issues such inheritance tax and setting up trusts in a Will.

Visiting a solicitor’s office

For many, a face to face meeting in a solicitor’s office remains the best way to make a Will. This also makes signing and witnessing easy, as it is done in the presence of the solicitor.

What if I cannot travel?

If you’re unable to get to a solicitor’s office, many solicitors can offer a home visit, or talk to you by phone or on a video call. If you are thinking of registering for our National Free Wills service, and would like a home visit, please get in touch and we'll ask about this for you. The solicitor may make a small charge for visiting you at home, which it would be your responsibility to pay.

Can I make my Will by phone?

If you’re clear about your wishes and are happy to talk things through by phone or video call, making a Will this way may work for you. 

Can I make my Will online?

This is a simple way to make your Will, in your own time, with expert support and guidance via a chat function if you need it. If your Will is complicated, you may be advised to consult a solicitor for legal advice. Many online Will providers enable you to start your Will online, then if you need legal advice, to consult a partner solicitor to complete your Will over the phone or face to face.

How do free Wills work?

Charities that offer a free Will service often pay an annual subscription to a Will provider and a discounted fixed fee for each Will made. The charity may have to share your details with the Will provider before you can take part in the scheme. Although there is no obligation to remember the charity in your Will, it is very much hoped you will wish to do so.

Does the Macular Society have a free Wills scheme?

The Macular Society works with two providers of free Wills. The National Free Wills Network offers a free Will face to face with a local participating solicitor. Bequeathed offers a free online Will, with a 30 minute video call to check that your Will meets your needs. For more information, please see our Will-writing offers page.

How should I prepare for making my Will?

It will help to have thought about the following before making or updating your Will:

• Try to estimate the likely value of your estate, including property, savings, shares and significant debts 
• Decide on your executors and any guardians you need to appoint e.g. for children in your care
• Decide what should happen to any pets you may own at the time of your death
• Think about any specific personal items you’d like to leave to family and friends
• Think about family, friends and charities you wish to leave cash sums of money to and how much. Have their details (names, addresses, registered charity numbers) to hand.
• Decide how you’d like the residue of your estate shared out; this is what’s left when all debts have been paid and specific items and cash sums have been distributed
• Think about funeral wishes such as burial or cremation and donations to charity instead of flowers.

Think about how you’ll check your draft Will, making sure it’s ready for your signature. Most solicitors can provide a large print Will, but make sure you ask for this at the outset. If you need a Will reading out loud to you before you sign, check with your provider to see what they advise.  

Think about how you’re going to get your Will witnessed (if not in a solicitor’s office). A witness cannot be anyone who stands to benefit from your Will, or married to someone who will benefit.

Think about storage of your original Will. Solicitors will usually do this for you for free as part of their service; other providers may charge a modest annual fee.

If supporting one or more charities in your Will, discuss your intentions with close family if you can, so that they understand and respect your wishes when the time comes. It’s also useful to tell your solicitor why you wish to support certain charities.

How do I find my own solicitor?

If you’d prefer to find your own solicitor, you can search for a local firm on the Law Society, Law Society of Scotland, and Law Society of Northern Ireland websites. Solicitors for the Elderly, a membership organisation of solicitors specialising in issues affecting older people, is also worth consideration.

Leaving a gift to the Macular Society

If you’re considering a gift to the Macular Society, thank you so much. Your gift will help us create a world free of macular disease for future generations.

Macular Society is the trading name of The Macular Disease Society. If your Will already contains a gift to the Macular Disease Society, you don’t need to change it. Our registered charity numbers and objectives remain the same.

Can we help you?

Our registered address is: Macular Society, Crown Chambers, South Street, Andover SP10 2BN.

Our registered charity numbers are 1001198 in England and Wales and SC042015 in Scotland.

We're here to help with anything else you may need, so please contact us on 01264 322 410 or email wills@macularsociety.org 

Thank you