What were your reasons for joining the National Free Wills Network?

"I joined the Network when the firm was quite young (around 1 – 2 years after setting up my firm!) Capacity Marketing is local to me in Mold, and I met the founders at a networking event. Despite the size of the company, it still feels very personal!

Being a new firm at the time I felt it was a good opportunity to both raise the profile of the firm locally and also to do our bit for the charities who support the service. It is amazing to receive the feedback about how much money Celtic Law has raised through the legacies in the Wills drafted.

 The service also prompts the public to make Wills and enables them access to proper legal advice in doing so which is really valuable. There are so many people out there without Wills and they are so important to have. I am keen to support anything which allows access to legal services for those where perhaps costs is preclusive – we can’t really offer bro bono type services given we are a specialised private client firm, but I feel that this means we do our bit in this regard too. One client commented that as a pensioner in a cost of living crisis, the prospect of funding fees for a Will would have been difficult.

Therefore – the reason was two fold, giving back to charity and to the community, but also as a marketing exercise."

What are the benefits of being a Network Solicitor to you and your firm?

"For us its been exposure! We are now in our 6th year and I still consider myself new.

I have also had various speaking opportunities as a result of my connection with the Network which has been amazing, to include speaking at an event hosted online by the National Trust. As a small law firm in North Wales I felt this was quite an honour!

The scheme will fund a simple Will but more often than not, clients need something a little more complex. We don’t upsell to clients, but we do make sure they are aware of all of their options with the Will which from the firms point of view, means we can charge a top up – from the clients perspective they still receive a cheaper legal service through the scheme and they are happy! We also include Power of Attorney services in our discussion which is good work and part and parcel of making sure clients are aware of these documents. The scheme makes this all more affordable for them.

Another benefit for us is that we ask our clients to do reviews for us, whilst the fees don’t replicate what we would usually charge – there is a benefit to those clients writing a review for us as this boosts our website and reputation.

Additionally, the simple free wills are excellent for junior staff and building their confidence/experience."

How many people do you see through the Network that require/request extra services alongside the Will?

"For many the simple Will is perfect, particular for the single Wills. I would say that half, if not more, of the mirror Wills go with a trust. We have also had additional LPA work, probate work, and also some property transfer type work too."

What would you say to potential solicitors interested in joining the Network?

"The Free Wills Network is an opportunity to promote your firm – by raising its profile in the community and in particular as a firm who is supportive of charity work. Those firms who are keen on ensuring access to legal services to all will also find the network attractive. The scheme is what you make of it – as a firm here we go through all our Will instructions in the same way, and in the same through manner as any other client which boosts the opportunity to upsell a fancier Will or other service. In other words, the Free Wills clients are treated no differently and receive the same level and quality of service – additional work will flow from that naturally, whether its upselling other services or by that client referring to their friends and family.

We don’t offer ourselves as Executors as a matter of course, but I know other firms do which is an opportunity to build the Will bank and eventually, probate work.

It is also great work for more junior members of staff. I would suggest having a good process in place in order to speed/ease things up – though I expect most firms will have this handled!"

What were your reasons for joining the National Free Wills Network?

"We joined the Free Wills Network to encourage new clients to approach our firm and to support local and national charities."

What are the benefits of being a Network Solicitor to you and your firm?

"The Free Wills Network is a great way of being connected to clients who are brand new to the firm and otherwise may never have heard of us. We wholeheartedly support the Free Wills Network’s aim of encouraging people to take proper legal advice to put Wills in place, with charitable gifts left wherever possible. We are proud to be involved and are glad of the opportunity to promote this."

How many people do you see through the Network that require/request extra services alongside the Will?

"Clients connected to us through the Network often seek advice on additional matters such as Powers of Attorney alongside the Will. Not all clients proceed with these but often they indicate that they will consider the advice and come back again in the future."

What would you say to potential solicitors interested in joining the Network?

"The National Free Wills Network is a simple and rewarding way of being connected to new clients. I would recommend that any solicitor interested in joining the Network does so, particularly solicitors practicing in areas without other Network solicitors nearby to allow as many people as possible benefit from the Network."

What were your reasons for joining the National Free Wills Network?

Middleton Law joined the National Free Wills Network in the second half of 2023 as we were building our private client base and had a keen interest in helping clients create a Will in a supportive and knowledgeable environment, with the added bonus of being able to support the charities too.

What are the benefits of being a Network Solicitor to you and your firm?

We have thoroughly enjoyed being a member of the National Free Wills Network and the opportunities these new clients have presented us with. We have referred clients internally for other matters as well as being able to support friends and families of these new clients.

What would you say to potential solicitors interested in joining the Network?

To any potential solicitors looking to join the Network, we would say that it is such a fantastic opportunity and to be able to assist clients, fulfil something that they really need, and is extremely rewarding. It is an opportunity that cannot be missed.