About the scheme

Who is behind the scheme?

The six charities behind Free Wills Month Scotland run essential services in Scotland - helping vulnerable children and older people, saving lives at sea, funding research into specific medical conditions, alleviating poverty and offering care and support to those suffering from illness.

Most UK charities depend on legacies for up to half their income - by taking part in this scheme individuals and couples could help a favourite cause.

How does the scheme work?

Members of the public aged 55 and over must contact one of the participating law firms on a day between 1 and 31 May 2009 to request an appointment (which may be held after 31 May 2009).

The solicitors will then write Wills to reflect the wishes of the individuals or couples taking part without any obligation to leave a gift to one of the Free Wills Month Scotland charities. However, the hope is that many will use the scheme to settle their affairs and help a favourite cause.

Who is the scheme open to?

Individuals or couples aged 55 and over. In the case of couples making 'mirror' Wills, it is sufficient if one has reached the age of 55.

When will the campaign run?

The agreement with participating law firms is that appointments must be booked between 1 and 31 May 2009. Appointments booked during this period can be held at a date later than 31 May and still qualify. The list of law firms will be published on this site on the evening of 30 April 2009.

Where will the scheme operate?

Aberdeen, Dundee, Dumfries, Edinburgh and Perth.

Why can't I see the list of solicitors now?

The agreement with the law firms in the towns above is that the scheme will be promoted exclusively during the month of May 2009. All the solicitors taking part have agreed to offer their highly professional will writing services at greatly reduced rates to the charities during this period as a means of encouraging more people to have a Will and to consider leaving a gift to one or more causes. To publicise the list of law firms now would break that agreement.