Will Aid is a biannually run scheme in which participating solicitors agree to make you a will for free. You are asked for a donation, the amount of which is recommended, but this goes to the nine charities supported by Will Aid.
The campaign was started in 1988 by a Scottish solicitor inspired by Live Aid’s work in Ethiopia to involve his profession in some kind of action.
I knew that making a will was especially important for me because my partner and I are not married. We have a son together but most of what would constitute our ‘estate’ is in my name and would automatically go into trust for my son until he reached 18. I felt that I needed to ensure that my partner would be able to keep the house we live in and could take on the financial responsibilities for him and my son. I felt it was important that my intentions were known and that they must be carried through – a will ensures that everything is legal and that everyone knows my wishes. To me, it is a part of a personal responsibility that goes along with my spirituality that I do not leave my son with the difficulties of deciding what needs to be done with my estate, my debts, my possessions and to let him know how I would like my remains to be disposed of. Finally, if something happened to both me and my partner, I wanted my will to ensure that my sister would become my son’s legal guardian – something that I have discussed with her, my son and the rest of my family, and with which everyone was happy. This would not automatically be the case without a will in place.
I have known of two deaths in my family which have caused a great deal of heartache and negative feeling because both people died without leaving a will. It was down to the individuals and the courts to settle - a very painful process from which the family has never really recovered. The cost too has been, in one case especially, phenomenal – it struck me that the waste involved both financially and emotionally was horrendous.
Finding out about Will Aid inspired me to finally get this will done. I was much happier spending the money knowing that is would be going to charity instead of disappearing into the bank account of a solicitor! The whole idea of getting my will done AND donating to charity struck me as a really good deal and I was more than happy to take the opportunity to do this.
Making a will is something that many people feel can be put off – perhaps until they are older or until something happens which makes them realise how destructive or difficult it can be for those left behind when tragic or unexpected deaths occur.
Will Aid have a website at: http://www.willaid.org.uk/index.cfm
This gives all the details about the campaign including when the next one will run and how to find a participating solicitor. I would recommend it to anyone who has not already made a will in order that you end your life responsibly and that your money goes to someone who needs it more than a solicitor!
