Make a Will Month 2024

Throughout Make a Will Month in September, a qualified local solicitor can write or update your Will in return for a donation to Farleigh Hospice, saving you around half of the usual cost. Several local solicitors are kindly donating their time to this campaign

Life-changing events can happen at any time and having a valid will give you peace of mind, knowing that your loved ones will be provided for in the way you want when you die. If you do not have a Will, what happens to your assets and who cares for any children you may have will be decided by law.

If you already have a Will, don’t forget it’s important to keep it up to date - so if your circumstances have changed, take advantage of this great offer. A simple will can be written for a minimum donation of £135 and mirror wills for £170.00.

If you would like any further information about the Make a will campaign or if you wish to leave a legacy to Farleigh Hospice, please contact the Legacy Team on 01245 457411 or email legacies@farleighhospice.org

Your donation will help Farleigh to provide physical and emotional care, free of charge, to help our patients to live as actively as possible from the point of diagnosis to the end of their life. Please note: The donation is for a simple Will and additional fees may be incurred for more complex Wills and Trusts.

Appointments to write or update your Will are available throughout September. Please choose from the list of participating solicitors below and book early as appointments are limited.

This simple action will give you peace of mind and help us to continue to provide care for people affected by life-limiting illness and bereavement.

Why do I need a Will?

We are all more aware than ever, that life-changing events can happen when you least expect them. Be prepared for the unexpected by making a Will. Then your family and friends will know your wishes, removing any uncertainty about what you want in the event of your death.

Without a Will, the state decides what happens to your assets and who cares for your children.

I have a Will, why should I update it?

If your circumstances change, so should your Will, especially if these changes involve property, financial assets, dependents or a change in marital status.

It is advisable to review your Will every five years, even if you have not undergone any significant life changes, to check that it still reflects what you want it to say and to find out if there have been any changes to the law which might affect it.

Things to decide before your appointment:

• Choose an executor - decide who you would like to carry out your wishes.
• Choose a guardian - this is the person(s) who will take on the legal responsibility to care for your children.
• List your assets - take with you a list of your assets (your house, savings, stocks and shares etc).
• Also take a list of what you owe (e.g. mortgage balances, overdrafts, bank loans and other debts).
• List specific gifts - list special items that you wish to leave to someone specific.
• Consider any donations you want to make to charity. Your solicitor will explain the ways you can leave gifts in your Will.

A bit more about Gifts in Wills…

After you’ve taken care of loved ones, leaving a gift (or Legacy) in your Will to Farleigh Hospice is a great way to invest in your community and help guarantee the future of hospice care for local people.

Legacies account for one third of our voluntary income and are fundamental in helping us care for our patients and their families.Contact our Legacy Team on 01245 457411 or email legacies@farleighhospice.org for more information.

Participating Solicitors

When contacting the solicitors, please mention Farleigh Hospice Make a Will month.

Chelmsford

Backhouse Solicitors Ltd (all appointments now booked)
17 Duke Street,
Chelmsford, CM1 1JU
www.backhouse-solicitors.co.uk
Contact: Colin Murphy - 01245 893400

Birkett Long LLP 
Faviell House, 1 Coval Wells,
Chelmsford, CM1 1WZ
www.birkettlong.co.uk
Contact: Emma Clarke - 01245 453833

Bright & Sons Solicitors (all appointments now booked)
Mayesfield, Mayes Lane, Danbury,
Chelmsford, Essex CM3 4NJ
www.brightslaw.com

Ellisons Solicitors
115 New London Road,
Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 0QT
www.ellisonssolicitors.com
Contact: Katie Honisett - 01245 968902

Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP
16 Baddow Road,
Chelmsford, CM2 0DG
www.fjg.co.uk
Contact: Wills and Probate - 01245 584530

Gepp Solicitors
5 Springfield Lyons Approach,
Chelmsford, CM2 5LB
www.geppsolicitors.co.uk
Contact: Enquiry Line - 01245 228125

Taylor Haldane Barlex Solicitors LLP
Hampton House, 137 Beehive Lane
Great Baddow, Chelmsford, CM2 9RX
www.THBlegal.com
Contact: Lauren Springate - 01245 493959

Braintree

Cunningtons LLP
Great Square,
Braintree CM7 1UD
www.cunningtons.co.uk
Contact: Bryony Wilmshurst - 01376 326868

Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP
76-82, 86 & 17 Coggeshall Road,
Braintree CM7 9BY
www.fjg.co.uk
Contact: Wills and Probate - 01376 552828

Maldon

Bright & Sons Solicitors (all appointments now booked)
West Square, Maldon, CM9 6HA
www.brightslaw.com

Tiptree

Bright and Sons Solicitors (all appointments now booked)
Lime House, 75 Church Road,
Tiptree, Colchester, CO5 0HB
www.brightslaw.com

Witham

Bright & Sons Solicitors (all appointments now booked)
87-91 Newland Street,
Witham, CM8 1AD
www.brightslaw.com

Terms and conditions:

• You must be aged 18 or over to use this service.
• There are limited face-to-face Will-writing appointments with the participating Solicitors and they are available on a first come first served basis only.
• Your Solicitor will provide Farleigh Hospice with your name, and address/email/telephone for the purpose of managing the administration of the scheme (please note details of the content of your Will and any other named beneficiaries will not be shared with us and will remain confidential between you and your Solicitor).
• Each Solicitor will ask for a minimum donation of only £135 for a single Will or £170 for a pair of mirror Wills. This donation is for a simple Will and additional fees may be incurred for more complex Wills. The additional fees will need to be discussed and agreed directly with your solicitor.
• Users of the service are limited to Will-writing consultations only under this scheme. This includes new Wills and amendments to existing Wills.
• The Will-writing service is only available upon agreement to the Solicitors' terms and conditions of the scheme.
• Farleigh Hospice reserves the right to withdraw the Will Service.

Please note: The Solicitor has control of and is responsible for preparing your Will. Farleigh Hospice staff cannot assist you with Will Writing or provide any legal advice.