As the National Free Wills Network enters its 10th year, its place as the largest Free Wills programme in the UK is assured
Over 750 solicitors form the Network, offering the service to member charities right across the UK - England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
About 2200 charity supporters write their Will through the Network annually. More than 70% of them include a legacy to the charity that referred them. The future value of their combined charitable legacies is over £5 million a year.
Why do so many law firms take part in the Network?
The Network is free to users - that is, donors are guaranteed a simple Will free of charge - because the Network charities pay solicitors £80 for single Wills and £130 for mirror Wills. Participating solicitors’ willingness to accept a lower than normal fee means that smaller charities, with more modest budgets, can access the Network. (People requiring more than a simple Will are charged directly by the solicitor for the extra work, preserving the principle that the ‘simple’ part is free of charge).
Solicitors join the Network for various reasons. The wide range of charities involved brings a high likelihood that some of their favourite causes will be served. The public appreciates solicitors coming together to do something for the public good (see Mark Stubberfield’s comments in the panel). And of course, not to be forgotten, there is the value of new clients.
What might be the value of new clients?
As the average age of the people who write their Wills through the Network is around 65, there is always real potential that the clients will give instructions for powers of attorney - chargeable directly to the client.
Additionally there is the future, business that should be in prospect if the relationship goes well - and then there’s the probate value. Extrapolating from a survey conducted by Sun Alliance insurance company a few years ago, we estimate that the average probate fee is close to £4,000.
Altogether, the actual value in terms of powers of attorney, future business and probate fees makes acceptance of the relatively modest fee for writing the Will an entry point for a solicitor wishing to build their business.
Why do charities invest in the Network?
Broadly speaking about 30% of charities’ voluntary income derives from legacies. For some it is much higher - six out of every ten RNLI lifeboat launches would not be possible without gifts in Wills for example. While charities have many ways of persuading individuals to support them - through direct donations, shops, merchandise and corporate giving - legacies are a sensitive and difficult area.
Many people say they would have put their favourite charity in their Will if they had thought about it at the time. That’s probably the strongest reason why charities use the Network: given the opportunity to consider including charitable bequests at the very point they write their Will, Network users are five times more likely to include a charitable bequest. Left to our own devices, 14% of us include a gift to charity in our Will - the Network increases this to over 70%.
A principle of the Network is that donors are not required to include a gift to their referring charity because there would also be a considerable risk of challenges to the Wills. The ‘no obligation’ arrangement avoids that danger. There is a solid paper record as well, because everyone who uses the Network signs a form that declares their satisfaction with the Will, acknowledges the unfettered nature of their instructions to the solicitor, and grants release of certain details to the referring charity. (People generally like to receive a ‘thankyou’ from the charity they have favoured and there are strict protocols about the future relationship with donors).
The Network counters people’s inertia around writing their Will
Although many people accept that they really ought to have an up to date Will, trepidation around engaging a solicitor and uncertainty about the procedure produces inertia. The Network process, in which each donor is given the details of the Network solicitors closest to them, which encourages people to take the opportunity to make contact, beginning the process that will give them peace of mind and put their affairs in order.
Quality of service is top of priority
The Network works only with solicitors, for several reasons.
The complexity of modern relationships are such that clear advice is required when drawing up a Will and we feel that the only satisfactory standard is to work with solicitors in good standing with the Law Society. In addition to the expertise implied, the stringent rules of the Law Society and the Solicitors Regulation Authority in place, there is adequate recourse for an occasional unhappy client.
Charities go to lengths to safeguard supporters who may be in vulnerable circumstances, so it is a logical extension for the Network to expect Will-drafting solicitors and their staff to see clients in person so that matters such as competence and identity can be determined reliably.
How to join the National Free Wills Network
Solicitors may enrol in the Network at any time. There is no fee to enrol.
Solicitors interested in joining the Network or seeking more information should contact:
Richard Millar at richard@nationalfreewills.net or on 0345 686 4309
