What’s a Simple Will? – and is it enough?

Most people assume their will is going to be straightforward. You’ve got a house, some savings, maybe a pension, and you want to leave it all to your family. How complicated can it be?

The answer might surprise you. When you’re looking at schemes like Free Wills Month, understanding what actually counts as a “simple will” can make the difference between getting free help and needing to pay for more complex legal work.

Let’s break down what makes a will simple or complex, so you know exactly where you stand.

What Makes a Will “Simple”?

A simple will is a basic legal document that covers the essentials without any fancy legal arrangements. It deals with:

• Choosing who will handle your affairs after you die (your executors)
• Deciding who gets what from your estate
• Making specific gifts to individuals or charities
• Appointing guardians for any children under 18

Most people’s situations fit comfortably into this category. If your main assets are your home, some savings, and personal belongings, and you want everything to go to your spouse and then your children, you’re probably looking at a simple will.

When Is a Simple Will Right for You?

Here are some typical situations where a simple will works perfectly:

You’re single and want to split everything between your children, or leave it all to one person

You’re married or in a civil partnership and want everything to go to your partner first, then to your children

Your estate is worth less than £325,000 (the current inheritance tax threshold)

You don’t own a business or have complicated assets like overseas property

Your family situation is straightforward with no step-children from previous relationships or family disputes

If this sounds like your situation, Free Wills Month will likely cover everything you need at no cost.

When Things Get More Complicated

Some situations need more sophisticated legal work, which takes us into complex will territory. You’ll probably need a complex will if:

Your estate is worth more than £325,000 and you’re concerned about inheritance tax

You have children from a previous relationship and want to make sure they’re provided for alongside your current partner

You want to protect assets from care home fees or ensure they can’t be lost if your spouse remarries

You own business assets or property abroad

You want to set up trusts to protect money for grandchildren or vulnerable family members

You need to exclude someone who would normally inherit from you

Here’s a common example: you want your partner to be able to live in your house for the rest of their life, but after they die, you want the house to go to your children from your first marriage. This needs something called a life interest trust, which definitely isn’t simple will territory.

Why This Matters for Free Wills Month

Free Wills Month specifically covers simple wills only. If your situation is more complex, the solicitor will usually:

• Explain what’s involved in your case
• Offer to complete the work for their standard fee
• Give you a quote for the additional legal work needed

This isn’t the solicitor trying to upsell you. Complex wills genuinely require more time, expertise, and legal documentation. The charities funding Free Wills Month can only afford to cover basic will writing.

Not Sure Which Category You Fall Into?

Most people aren’t certain until they speak to a professional. Don’t let this put you off booking a Free Wills Month appointment though.

Come prepared with:

• A list of everything you own and any debts
• Details of who you want to benefit from your will
• Information about your family situation, including any complications

Be honest about anything unusual in your circumstances. It’s much better to discuss potential complications upfront than discover problems later.

Even if you end up needing a complex will, you’ll have had professional advice about your options and what’s involved.

Getting the Right Type of Will

If your life is relatively straightforward, a simple will through Free Wills Month could be perfect. You’ll get professional legal advice and a properly drafted will without paying solicitor fees.

But if your situation is more complex, don’t try to squeeze it into a simple will format. The wrong type of will can cause real problems for your family later on, from unnecessary tax bills to family disputes or legal challenges.

Complex wills cost more upfront, but they can save your beneficiaries thousands of pounds and a lot of stress down the line.

Next Steps

If you think you might be eligible for Free Wills Month, it’s worth booking an appointment. You’ll find out during the consultation whether your will can be covered by the scheme.

If you suspect your needs are more complex, speaking to a will writing specialist first can help you understand your options and what’s likely to be involved.

Either way, the most important thing is getting your will sorted properly, whether that’s through a free scheme or by investing in more comprehensive legal work.

Find out more today >