Frequently Asked Questions 

We have partnered with Octopus Legacy to provide a Free Will Writing Service. Here are some Frequently Asked Questions.

Can you make an online Will? 

Yes, you can make an online Will. Writing your Will, like most things in the world, has gone digital. Octopus Legacy’s online system was created by a solicitor and legal team, and saves you time and money when making your will. Additionally, for peace of mind, your online will is checked by Octopus Legacy’s expert legal team before being sent to you to sign properly, making it legally binding.

Can you write your online Will without a solicitor? 

As long as your will is signed in the presence of two witnesses who then sign your Will too, it will be legally binding. Octopus Legacy’s team of expert writers check over each will to make sure that the information is correct and that it will stand the test of time. They also offer a will verification check to confirm it has been signed correctly. Octopus Legacy’s online Will was built by a solicitor and expert legal team. It just requires you to input your own details to be completed.

What if you need to update your online Will? 

Most likely you will need to update your online Will. Life changes and your wishes evolve over time. Which means your Will needs to as well. The advantage of the Octopus Legacy online will service is that you can update it any time. This is only £10 per year, which you can select at check out. Then when the time comes, just return to your Will dashboard, amend your wishes and click submit. Your Will is then reviewed by their expert team to check it’s legally sound before being sent to you to resign, along with witnesses.

How do I cancel my subscription/How do I unsubscribe from the will update service?

To cancel your subscription, you'll need to go to your Will dashboard

(https://octopuslegacy.com/will/dashboard) then on the right-hand side you'll see a little question mark next to 'Resubmit for checking'

If you hover over that question mark, there should be a prompt to "Manage my subscription" and there you'll find steps on how to cancel the subscription service.

Can I get help printing my online Will? 

At checkout, you can add the option for your Will to be printed, and posted out to you, free of charge. Once your online Will has been checked over by Octopus Legacy’s legal team, they’ll send your Will out to you, with instructions on how to sign/witness it to make it legally binding.

Can I get my Lasting Power of Attorney (LPAs) sorted alongside my will? 

Yes you can also sort your health and financial LPAs by booking an appointment with one of our Estate Planning Consultants for £699, and they will:

◆ Draft and finalise your LPAs (health & financial)

◆ Take you through the signing process

◆ Register them with the Office of Public Guardian (OPG) for you

◆ The cost covers the OPG registration fees (£92 per form)

What if my estate is complex?

There are some cases where you may want to seek legal advice. If you need a trust, or have a larger estate then you may need a complex Will. If you think this might be you, then you can book an over the phone or in person appointment with an Estate Planning Consultant. They can help you find the best option for getting your will sorted.

If you do need a complex Will, the simple aspect of the Will is still free, however you’ll receive a no-obligation quote for the additional work needed. Prices start from:

● Single Complex Will: £350 (normally £450)

● Mirror/Joint Complex Will: £600 (normally £750)

How can I write my Will directly with an Estate Planning Consultant? 

You can register your interest here, and you’ll then receive a call from the Octopus legacy team to book an appointment.

Or call Octopus Legacy’s Wills team on 020 4525 3605 and quote Valley Hospital Charity, they will ask you a few questions about your needs and will book an appointment for you to speak with an Estate Planning Consultant. This can be done either:

● Over the phone

● Via video call

● A home visit

● Or in office (this will be dependent on location and not always available)

Is my Will free when I write it directly with an Estate Planning Consultant? 

Yes, a simple Will is still free in partnership with Valley Hospital Charity when you use Octopus Legacy’s phone or face to face service. If however you have a complex estate, the Will writer/solicitor will send you an non-obligated quote for the additional work and you can decide if you want to take it forward or not.

How can I store my Will? 

There are different options you can choose from:

➔  Free Octopus Legacy’s will storage facility:

○ CCTV

○ Fireproof & waterproof security

○ Simply post your will to Octopus Legacy and they’ll send you a certificate of proof

➔ Or, at home in a secure place

We also recommend:

➔ Registering your will with the National Wills Register

➔ Telling your executors and family where your will is so it can be found easily.

Why is the Will free? 

We’ve partnered with Octopus Legacy to make it even easier to get your Will sorted and for you to support the causes you care about. Giving a gift in your Will can have a huge impact for charities like us, helping us to make a real difference. But writing your Will can sometimes feel overwhelming and difficult so we wanted to make the process clear and simple for our supporters. We’ve therefore paid for the Wills to be written at a reduced cost. While many people choose to include a gift in their Will there is no obligation to do so if you wish to use this service.

What’s the difference between online Wills and DIY Wills? 

DIY Will Kits can be found at your local Post Office or stationery shop. They offer a simple guide to writing a Will from scratch and are technically legally binding when signed with a witness. However, DIY Will Kits won't work for everyone. You can learn more about Post Will Kits, their pros and cons, and the other options available here. This will help you work out what will work best for you.

Online Will-writing services allow you to take the stress out of the process with easy-to-use tools and on-hand support. But their main benefit is that you can feel confident that your wishes will be followed - thanks to the fact each will is reviewed by a Will expert to make sure it’s ship-shape before you sign it. This reduces the risk of your will being rendered invalid.