How to write your will

Get advice about how to write your will, how to leave a gift to charity and how to write it for free with one of our will writing services.

Five simple steps to prepare your will

Writing your will for the first time may feel like a daunting task but it doesn't have to be. It can help to first think about what you own, who you want to remember, and what’s important to you after you’re gone.

  1. Work out the value of your estate
    Think about everything you own, minus anything you owe. This could be property, savings or digital assets. You might find our list of assets helpful to work out the value of your estate.

  2. Choose how you would like to leave your estate
    Make a list of the people and charities you want to benefit from your estate.

  3. If you have dependent children and/or pets, choose guardians
    Think about who you would choose to be their legal guardian.

  4. Choose your executors
    Think about who is going to manage your estate and carry out your wishes. They would be your executor.

  5. Make notes of any questions
    It’s good to have them all in one place, to talk through with your solicitor or will writer.

If you have already made a will and wish to add The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) as a beneficiary, you can do it by downloading and completing our codicil form.

Need help? Contact us

If you're considering leaving a legacy gift to the NSPCC, or if you've already left us a gift in your will and have any questions, our team are available to help.

Call us on 020 7825 2505 or email [email protected].

How to leave a gift to charity in your will


Giving in your will is more straightforward than you might expect. Download our will writing guide for easy, step-by-step instructions to changing or writing your will.

  1. Decide which type of gift you’d like to leave in your will
    There are 2 main types of gift you might choose – a share of your estate (residuary gift) or a set sum (pecuniary gift). 

  2. Contact your solicitor or a will writing service
    We have lots of options to choose from.

  3. Give them details about the cause you want to remember
    Provide the amount you’d like to leave and the charity's details. We have wording to help if you choose to leave a gift to the NSPCC.

 

How to leave a share of your estate to charity 

If you’d like to leave a residuary gift to the NSPCC, take the below wording along to an appointment with your chosen solicitor or legal professional.

"I leave.........per cent of the residue of my real and personal estate to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children of Weston House, 42 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3NH, registered charity numbers: 216401 and SC037717."

 

How to leave a set sum to charity in your will

If you’d like to leave a pecuniary gift to the NSPCC, take the below wording along to an appointment with your chosen solicitor or legal professional.

"I leave the sum of ...........(in words) pounds £....... (in figures) to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children of Weston House, 42 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3NH, registered charity numbers: 216401 and SC037717."

Help and support for executors and solicitors

Our promises to you

We're so grateful that you're thinking about leaving a gift to the NSPCC. By becoming a legacy guardian, you're helping to protect a generation of children from abuse. Our promises to you (PDF) demonstrate a lasting commitment to you, your family and loved ones, and the children your gift will help.

How to find a solicitor or will writing service

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We always recommend using a solicitor or legal professional if you are thinking of writing or amending your will. Our range of will writing offers are free or offered at discounted rates. Or you can visit the Law Society to find a solicitor in your local area.

Find free will writing services