Write or update your Will for free with our year-round service, powered by Farewill. Protect your loved ones and support animals in need.
Battersea’s free Will writing service
Writing a Will is one of the most important things you can do for the people and causes you love. That’s why Battersea has partnered with Farewill, the UK’s largest online Will writing service. We want to offer you a free, straightforward way to put your wishes in place. You can do it from the comfort of your own home, in your own time, with an expert checking for peace of mind.
Who pays for the Will?
The service is free for you to use – Battersea pays the Will writing fee directly to Farewill.
The usual cost of an online Will with Farewill is around £100. By using our free service, you can save while still receiving a professionally checked Will.
You don’t have to leave a gift to Battersea to use the service – but many supporters choose to remember our dogs and cats after they’ve provided for their loved ones. Every gift, large or small, helps us be there for animals who need us, long into the future.
Who can use the service?
Our free Will writing service is:
- Available in: England and Wales only
- Best for: Simple estates and straightforward family situations
- Suitable for: Writing a new Will or updating an existing one
- Available to everyone: Whether you've supported Battersea before or not.
A simple estate is one where your property, finances and wishes are straightforward enough that they don’t require specialist legal advice to sort out.
If your circumstances are more complex – for example, if you have business assets, property overseas, or a complex family situation – Farewill can help explain your options before you speak to a solicitor for tailored advice.
How our free Will writing service works
Step 1: Register for your free Will
Complete the short online form to let us know you’d like to use the free Will writing service. We’ll send you an email with your unique Battersea code and a link to start your Will with Farewill.
Step 2: Write your Will with Farewill
Use your unique Battersea code and link to access Farewill. You can then:
- Write your Will online by answering guided questions in around 15–20 minutes
- Or speak to a Farewill specialist over the phone who will take your instructions and prepare your Will for you.
Your Will is then checked by Farewill’s experts to make sure it reflects your wishes clearly and is ready to be made legally valid.
Step 3: Make it legal
A Will written online or over the phone with Farewill becomes a legal document once it is printed, signed, and correctly witnessed in line with the law in England and Wales. Farewill’s experts will guide you on the steps you need to take to make your Will legally valid.
Why Battersea is offering free Will writing
Gifts in Wills are an important source of income for Battersea. They help fund everything from veterinary care and behaviour support to warm beds and safe spaces for the animals who come through our doors. By offering a free Will writing service, we can:
- Make Will writing accessible: Removing the cost barrier helps more people put their wishes in place.
- Support our community: You get peace of mind that your loved ones and chosen causes are protected.
- Protect our future: If you choose to leave a gift to Battersea, you’ll help ensure we can be here for dogs and cats for years to come.
The process was so straightforward and took away a lot of the worry I’d been putting off for years. Knowing my family is provided for - and that I’ve left a gift to help Battersea’s animals - gives me real peace of mind.
Frequently asked questions about free Wills
Including a gift to Battersea is simple. When you reach the ‘gifts to charity’ section of your Will, you’ll be able to add our details and choose the type of gift you’d like to leave. Farewill’s form will guide you through this, or your solicitor can help you word your gift correctly.
Yes. If you’d rather speak to someone face to face, we can help you access a free simple Will with a participating local solicitor through the National Free Wills Network. This can be a good option if you have a more complex estate or simply feel more comfortable meeting in person.
Get in touch with our Special Gifts team on specialgifts@battersea.org.uk or call us on 020 7627 9300.
No. Your Will is written by Farewill, an independent Will writing provider. Battersea simply funds the cost of eligible Wills and provides information about leaving a gift to support our work. We do not give legal advice or draft your Will ourselves.
No. Your Will is a private document between you and Farewill (and any solicitor you may choose to use). Battersea does not receive a copy of your Will and cannot see your personal instructions. If you choose to tell us that you’ve left a gift to Battersea, we’d love the chance to say thank you – but that’s entirely up to you.
Many charities only have the resources to offer free Will writing during specific times of the year, often called “Free Wills Month”. At Battersea, we’re able to offer our free Will writing service all year round – so for us, every month is Free Wills Month.
Yes, you can name a charity as an executor, but it’s a serious responsibility and not always the most practical option. Many people prefer to appoint trusted family members, friends, or a professional executor (such as a solicitor) who can manage the estate administration. If you’re considering naming Battersea as an executor, we recommend discussing this with a solicitor and contacting the Special Gifts team at Battersea.
Get support
If you have any questions about our free Will writing service, please get in touch by emailing specialgifts@battersea.org.uk or calling 020 7627 9300.
