Guide Dogs Free Wills: Protect Your Legacy This October

Each October the Guide Dogs Free Wills campaign offers people in our area a simple method of dealing with one of the most important things in life. This year Buchanan & Co Solicitors is participating once more, assisting residents to draw up or amend their Will while at the same time supporting a cause that improves the lives of people who have a visual impairment. It is more than the paperwork when you work with an experienced lawyer; it is an opportunity to protect the people you care about and to leave behind something significant. The following points explain who is eligible, what is covered, how you can leave a gift to Guide Dogs, and how our team can help you with your general estate planning requirements. 

What is the campaign carried out by Guide Dogs for Free Wills? 

The Guide Dogs Free Wills campaign offers individuals aged 55 and over the opportunity to write or update a simple will at no cost. Please note that a £20 ID check fee per person applies throughout October.   

The campaign is part of Free Wills Month, a nationwide initiative organised by the National Free Wills Network, which links members of the public with local solicitors taking part in the scheme. Buchanan & Co Solicitors is one of the firms taking part and provides appointment services at its Staveley and Kiveton Park offices. 

You are not obliged to leave a gift to Guide Dogs, even though a great many people do so. It should be noted that the solicitor gets to decide what constitutes a ‘simple’ Will. In the case of more complicated circumstances, we shall always make clear to you any costs before we start.  

You won’t be left out if you’re under the age of 55. The company Buchanan & Co also provides support for charitable will schemes with other well-known charities Cancer Research UK, Stroke Association and Dementia UK, which are available to adults who are 18 years of age or over. Are you eligible? Get in contact with us and we’ll direct you to the appropriate option. 

Make your wishes clear. 

A well-drafted Will clearly sets out your property, savings and personal wishes and makes them legally valid. If you do not have a valid Will, your estate will be divided in accordance with the rules of intestacy, a situation which may not match your true intentions and can cause considerable uncertainty for those left behind. For more information on the advantages of getting this right, see our Wills and estate planning page. 

We also keep a record of each will that we draw up, which gives you greater reassurance that your wishes will be found and carried out when the time arrives. Have you recently checked to make sure that your existing will still matches your present circumstances and your wishes? 

Protect the people you love 

A will does much more than just divide up your estate; it allows you to appoint guardians for children who are under 18, make careful arrangements for beneficiaries who have disabilities, and establishes trusts when necessary. The estate planning team, which includes consultant private client lawyer Alex Gibbons, takes the time to understand the particular circumstances of your family and explains the various options in plain English. 

Give a lasting gift. 

You may, as part of your campaign, decide to leave a donation to Guide Dogs in your Will. A small bequest can contribute to the cost of training guide dogs and can also provide support for both children and adults who have sight loss. Although this is completely optional, it is a meaningful way for many people to give back while arranging their personal matters. Is there an organisation whose cause is near to your heart that you would like to see supported by your legacy? 

More than just a Will 

Buchanan & Co Solicitors provides assistance that goes well beyond preparing a single will. The full range of our estate planning services consists of inheritance planning, the establishment of trusts, Lasting Powers of Attorney, provisions regarding guardianship, and planning for beneficiaries who have disabilities. 

We may offer discounts on extra work organised through charity campaigns, and eligible cardholders can also use the Blue Light Discount Scheme. Because they are reliable solicitors, residents of Staveley and Kiveton Park keep coming back; indeed, our reputation proves this on its own. Buchanan & Co has a rating of 4.9 out of 5 from over 627 client reviews on ReviewSolicitors, which is a clear indication of the care our clients receive. 

2026 Client Review  

Choose Buchanan’s as a local firm, great all-round service and advice with regard to writing a will. Everything was very straightforward, with additional advice to help shape future decisions. 

Give yourself and all those you care about peace of mind. 

There is real peace of mind when you get your affairs in order. As part of the Guide Dogs Free Wills campaign, you can have a simple will drawn up, gain protection for the people who are most important to you, and at the same time help a great cause, all during a single appointment. Whether your estate is simple or complicated, our team will clearly explain your options without technical jargon. 

If you would like to book your appointment in October, please contact Buchanan & Co Solicitors on 01246 471900. Our offices are located in Staveley, close to Chesterfield, and in Kiveton Park, near Sheffield. Start now and give yourself and the people you care about the security of knowing your wishes are safe. 

Frequently asked questions 

Eligibility for the Guide Dogs Free Wills 

The campaign is open to adults who are 55 years of age or older, as they can have a simple Will drawn up or amended during Free Wills Month in October via participating solicitors such as Buchanan & Co.  

Is it necessary to leave a gift to Guide Dogs? No, leaving a gift is completely optional, even though a great many people do decide to include one. 

What if my Will is not simple?  

If your requirements are more complicated, then your solicitor gets to decide what constitutes a ‘simple’ will. In such situations, we will make clearly understood any extra costs before carrying out any work. 

Since I am under the age of 55, can I still obtain assistance with drawing up a Will?  

Yes, you can. Buchanan & Co also offers support for charitable Will schemes, which are open to adults aged 18 or over. Our experts can discuss this with you.  

We are located in Staveley, which is near Chesterfield, and in Kiveton Park, near Sheffield.