MSA Trust’s Free Will Offer – FAQs

What is The National Free Wills Network?

The Trust has partnered with the National Free Wills Network to offer free of cost Will-writing or updating services to supporters of charities such as MSA Trust. This gives you access to a national network of qualified and registered solicitors across the UK.

How does the MSA Trust’s Free Will Offer work?

You will be able to choose a local participating solicitor who will write your Will free of cost and the Trust will pay for the service.

Who is eligible to use the Free Wills Offer?

The offer is open to any supporter of MSA Trust who resides in the UK and is over the age of 18.

In order for me to claim the Trust’s Free Will Offer do I have to include a gift in my Will for MSA Trust?

Although you are under no obligation to leave a gift to MSA Trust when using our Free Will Offer, we are incredibly grateful if you can think of the Trust, after taking care of family and friends. Leaving a gift to MSA Trust in your Will, even a small amount, will make a huge difference.

Your gift, large or small, will ensure we support people affected by multiple system atrophy in the years to come, and that, one day, through research, we fulfil our vision of a world free of MSA.

How can I claim the Offer?

Follow these steps to claim your offer.

• You will need to be referred to the Network’s solicitors, as it’s a closed Network and is not open to the public. You can submit a referral online HERE. Alternatively call 0333 323 4591 or email fundraising@msatrust.org.uk and we can refer you to the Network.
• The National Free Wills Network will send you a pack with a list of local, participating solicitors for you to contact.
• You will need to make contact with one of the solicitors mentioned in the pack within 30 days of receiving the information.
• Write your Will, with your chosen solicitor, in the usual way.

How do I make an appointment with the Network’s Solicitor?

You will need to contact your chosen solicitor directly; the Trust or National Free Will Network cannot do this on your behalf. Every solicitor recommended by the Network can be contacted either by telephone or email, and these details will be provided in the Free Will pack sent by the National Free Will Network. Don’t forget to mention ‘National Free Will Network’ and ensure the solicitor is part of it and is being contacted about a Free Will Offer when making the appointment.

What if I want a remote appointment or home visit?

We understand the challenges that life with MSA brings, and if you cannot visit the law firm, the Network does recommend solicitors who can make your Will online or over the phone. There will be at least 4 solicitors in the pack sent by the National Free Will who offer remote appointments. Some solicitors do offer home visits, and you will need to get in touch with the solicitor to query this.

Who pays for my Will?

MSA Trust will arrange payment with the solicitor for a simple individual or mirror Will (a pair of nearly identical Wills made by two people, usually a couple, that reflect each other’s wishes for their estate).

As part of your appointment, your solicitor will ask you to complete a form to enable you to participate in the MSA Trust’s Free Will offer and will forward that on your behalf, so that the Trust can pay for the service.

What happens if my Will is complex?

MSA Trust will cover the cost of a simple Will. If your Will is more complex, e.g. inheritance tax advice, discretionary trusts or power of attorney, you will be responsible for paying any additional amount directly to the solicitor doing your Will. When appointing your solicitor, it’s advisable to check whether the cost of the Will is fully covered by the Free Wills Service. Around 95% of Wills written under the scheme are defined as simple.

If I use the National Free Wills Network, how long have I got to make my Will?

In order to claim your free Will you will need to make your appointment with one of the solicitors mentioned in the pack within 30 days of receiving it from the National Free Wills Network.

I already have a Will but it is out of date, can I use the Free Will Offer to update my Will?

Yes, you can use the Offer to update your Will. You need to contact a participating solicitor, as per normal, and inform them you need to update your Will to ensure it is up-to-date and reflects your current wishes.

Can I use my own solicitor to write my Will for free under The National Free Wills scheme?

No, you have to use a participating solicitor. The National Free Wills Network includes over 1,000 solicitors, registered with the relevant Law Society. It has a dedicated team recruiting solicitors to the Network, and you are welcome to call their office on 0345 686 4309 or email them at info@nationalfreewills.net to see if a particular solicitor is part of the Network.

What happens if there are no solicitors in my area?

The National Free Wills Network have solicitors in most areas in the UK. If there is no solicitor near you, you can have a virtual appointment on-line or via the telephone with a participating solicitor.

Does the solicitor share my Will with MSA Trust?

No, the Trust doesn’t receive a copy of your Will nor will we be informed of its contents. We will be informed of a gift to MSA Trust if you give your consent to share such details. We are always grateful for your gift, regardless of its value. We will keep this information strictly confidential and only use it to thank you properly for the difference your legacy gift can make.

What is my responsibility when appointing a participating solicitor?

• It’s your decision which solicitor and law firm you choose and neither the Trust or the National Free Wills Network can get involved with this.
• Once you appoint a solicitor, you become the client of that firm as you would be through any other means of contact – you are covered by and have rights under that law firm’s code of conduct.
• It’s your choice of whether to proceed with the service and/or any additional services that may be recommended. (e.g. additional work needed for Complex Wills or LPAs)

How will my data be used?

The National Free Wills Network – Your details will be shared with The National Free Wills Network and MSA Trust so your information pack can be sent to you in the post. The solicitor you choose will send your completed confidential declaration form to The National Free Wills Network once you have completed your Will. The National Free Wills Network will share this form (with your consent) with MSA Trust. If you choose to leave a gift in your Will to MSA Trust, you are under no obligation to disclose the value but if you chose to do so we will keep this information confidential. You can view how the National Free Wills Network manages your information on their website.

The Multiple System Atrophy Trust- As part of our work, we collect and use personal information to provide our services, manage our operations, communicate with you, carry out marketing, meet our obligations, and protect our rights. You can see how the MSA Trust manages your data here.

I live in the Republic of Ireland, are there any solicitors available for me to claim the Trust’s Free Will Offer?

Unfortunately, we cannot extend this offer to our supporters in Ireland at this time, but this may change in the future.

Can I request a Free Will pack if I live abroad and do not have a UK address?

Unfortunately, you can’t. To take advantage of this scheme you must have a UK address.

Can I create my Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) through the Network’s solicitors?

Yes, most solicitors will provide this service in addition to Will writing but this is not part of the Offer; there will be charges which the solicitor can advise you on.