Will Aid is an annual Will making campaign run collaboratively by nine leading charities, ActionAid, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, Age UK, NSPCC, Save the Children UK, Sightsavers, SCIAF and Trocaire. It would not be possible without the nationwide support of the legal profession, who generously give their services for free.

A Will is a legal document that states the people and organisations (eg charities) you want your money and possessions to go to when you die. It is best to have it drawn up by a solicitor who will make sure that the Will is legally correct and that your wishes can be carried out.

Broadly speaking, for Will Aid, a basic Will is suitable for anyone whose assets are below the inheritance tax threshold (£325,000 or £650,000 if your spouse pre-deceased you and did not use up their inheritance tax free allowance) and/or they are simply leaving their assets to a few family members and friends and perhaps leaving a legacy to charity. If  for example, any trusts need to be set up or financial or estate-planning advice given, then this would be considered outside the basic Will. However, your solicitor will still be happy to take your instructions within the campaign, but you should agree a separate charge for this more complex work.

It's the only way to be absolutely certain that your money and belongings go to the people and charities you care about. As well as helping your family and friends, you're giving yourself peace of mind when you make a Will.

The simple answer is NOW.

Making a Will is straightforward, simple and an important way of looking after your family's future. You need to remember that when your circumstances change, your Will may become out of date. For instance, in England and Wales, if you marry or re-marry your old Will is automatically invalidated. Make sure that your Will is up to date.

Your Will needs updating when your circumstances change. For instance, if you get married, buy a property, have children, or get divorced. This can also be done with Will Aid. Simply follow the steps to finding a local solicitor but when making your appointment explain that you are updating your Will. You might like to check to see if the solicitor who first drew up your Will is registered with us, and if they are not perhaps you could persuade them to join rather than move your business. The suggested donation for a change or codicil to a Will is £40.

The donations and income from legacies, is spent on the work carried out by the nine charities. Since 1988, more than £8 million has been donated through Will Aid and millions more has been promised in legacies. The money from donations has left its mark in improvements to the lives of children, families, older people and whole communities in the UK and around the world. And the income from legacies will help ensure that the vital work of the Will Aid charities can help future generations.

Because Will Aid is a partnership of the nine charities, they have all agreed that all the donations will be divided between them. However you can leave a legacy in your Will to one or more your favourite Will Aid charities or any other charity of your choice. 

The donation is voluntary and at the discretion of the will-maker. Solicitors participate in the scheme to raise the maximum possible funds for the Will Aid charities. Instead of charging their normal fee for drawing up a basic Will they are asking that you consider donating an equivalent sum to Will Aid. Please respect the value of the service they are providing you with by being prepared to donate at the suggested level of £75 for a single Will, £110 for a pair of matching or mirror Wills or £40 for a codicil. While solicitors fees vary round the country, we are suggesting £75 as an average cost. 

Click here to find a list of participating solicitors in your area. Just phone or email directly your chosen solicitor telling them that you would like to make an appointment under the Will Aid scheme.

It is best to have thought about your wishes before the appointment, and to help you we have devised a Will Planner , some notes on Will Making, and Leaving a Legacy to charity. This will make the Will writing process quicker and easier.

Your solicitor will ask for your details and discuss your instructions. Your solicitor will advise how best to word your Will. If you do not have an executor, your solicitor will be happy to arrange someone at the firm to act on your behalf.

Your Will will then be drafted and sent to you for approval. Any changes can be made at this point. Once you are happy with the document, your solicitor will ask you to come back to the office to sign it in the presence of two witnesses. You can then either take it home or some firms offer to hold your Will in their strong room and can give you a copy.

Many of us have had to watch our spending carefully throughout life. But when it comes to making a Will, it is an ideal opportunity to support those causes that are dear to our hearts. Legacy income is vital for charities, knowing that funds may become available gives them the security to allow them to plan for the future.

A legacy gift is an excellent way to support the Will Aid charities. It can be very tax efficient as a gift to a registered charity is free from inheritance tax. A legacy to one of the nine charities would effectively reduce any tax your family or other beneficiaries would have to pay. And it would mean so much to the many thousands of children and families throughout the world that the Will Aid charities support and help. Click here for further information on leaving a legacy. Your solicitor will be able to further advise you.

If your Will is complex, you and your solicitor may need to agree on a separate fee for the extra work involved. This can be established at your first meeting when you are discussing your circumstances.

Please give your donation to your solicitor who in turn will give you a Will Aid receipt and forward the donation to Will Aid. They will also ask you to complete the Gift Aid form. Your solicitor retains one copy of the receipt and one is sent to the Will Aid office together with your donations, so if there is any problem we can contact you.

Gift Aid is wonderful way of increasing the value of your donations at no cost to you because for every £1 you donate the government will give the Will Aid charities 28p (as long as you have paid either income or capital gains tax). Simply complete the form that your solicitor gives you when you make your donation (this is also your receipt) and we will do all the rest.