At Thorntons, we have been running an annual Charity Wills campaign since 1997. In that time we have drafted over 3,500 Wills and our clients have donated £550,000 to Cash for Kids.

The idea is simple, if you make a new Will or update an existing Will with us during the month of September we won't charge you a fee, instead we ask that you make an equivalent donation to children's charity, Cash for Kids.

It’s so important to have a Will or keep your existing one up to date. If you own property, have savings, children or other dependents, you should have a Will.  You might assume that you don't need a Will, that your affairs are simple and that your spouse or partner will inherit everything. Unfortunately this is a common misconception and in many cases it isn’t what actually happens. If you cohabit but aren't married your partner will also have no automatic rights when you pass away, and they will need to make a formal claim through the court if they wish to inherit anything.

If you have children, a professionally drafted Will can set out who will be your children’s guardian(s) if you unexpectedly pass away before they reach they age of sixteen.

When you have a Will in place your wishes are made clear and dealing with your affairs is made much easier and is less expensive for your family.

What is the process?

Making a new Will or updating an existing Will during Charity Wills month is easy.

Step 1: Request an appointment

Call us on 03301 757177 to request a Charity Wills appointment. A member of our team will contact you to arrange a convenient time for an appointment, talk you through the process and answer any questions you may have. They will also send you some information to help you prepare for your first virtual meeting along with a secure video link for the meeting.

Step 2: First appointment

Join your virtual appointment on a PC, tablet or mobile using the secure video link provided. This meeting will be with one of our Private Client Solicitors who will gather all of the information they need to prepare a draft Will and to ensure all of your wishes are documented.

Step 3: Review your draft Will.

Once your draft Will has been completed a copy will be sent to you to review. Please take time to read the Will and any additional information we have provided. Don't worry if any changes are needed. We can discuss any changes with you before the final Will is prepared for you to sign.

At this time we will arrange a convenient time for a signing meeting. This is also done virtually by secure video link. 

Step 4: Sign your Will and make your donation

Once you are happy with your final Will, it is ready to sign. You will need to sign the Will during the virtual meeting so your Solicitor can witness it being signed by you. You then return the signed Will to us for safe keeping. We can safely store your Will until it is needed. 

Finally, we will send you a link to make your donation online using our secure donation portal. This link is unique to you.

Remember, if your circumstances change at any time, you should review your Will to ensure it still meets your needs.

Peter Ryder

Managing Director

Thorntons Property