July 1st, 2025 – As appeared on De Rebus
The Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) invites legal practitioners to participate in National Wills Week 2025, which will run from 15 to 19 September 2025. This longstanding access-to-justice initiative enables attorneys to offer a vital public service, the free drafting of basic wills, while reinforcing the value and credibility of the legal profession in communities across the country.
Now in its 17th year, National Wills Week has become a fixture in the LSSA’s annual calendar and one of the profession’s most respected and visible outreach campaigns. Attorneys who participate do more than draft documents: They help demystify legal processes, engage directly with members of the public who may never have consulted an attorney before, and demonstrate the profession’s continuing commitment to service and social responsibility.
Why attorneys should participate
Legal practitioners have an essential role to play in ensuring the public understands the importance of a valid, professionally drafted will. In many communities, the death of a breadwinner or head of a family without a will results in financial distress, emotional strain, and prolonged legal disputes.
Attorneys who register for National Wills Week help South Africans avoid these outcomes while demonstrating the tangible impact of professional legal support. Participation also allows practitioners to:
- Reinforce the value of attorneys in personal legal matters such as wills, estates, and succession planning.
- Contribute meaningfully to public legal education and access to justice.
- Build trust and long-term client relationships through pro bono service.
- Enhance the visibility of their firm via the LSSA’s national promotional campaign and public directory of participating firms.
In 2024, thousands of South Africans accessed the services of attorneys through this initiative, and media coverage reached national, provincial, and community levels. Each year, the campaign expands its reach and the demand for professional assistance continues to grow.
How the campaign works
Participating firms commit to drafting basic wills free of charge for members of the public during the designated week. The LSSA supplies each firm with digital promotional materials, including editable posters in a variety of language combinations, allowing practitioners to tailor outreach to their local audiences. The LSSA also undertakes a national media and public awareness campaign beginning in early August 2025. The campaign directs the public to the LSSA website, where a searchable directory of participating law firms will be published.
Firms are encouraged to market their participation through their own networks, websites, and social media platforms. Many attorneys have reported that Wills Week brings increased visibility and new client relationships, even beyond the scope of the free service offered.
What is expected of participating firms?
- Firms must draft a basic will free of charge for members of the public who request it during Wills Week.
- The attorney must explain the importance of having a valid, professionally drafted will, especially in light of the potential risks of dying intestate or relying on unqualified individuals.
- Clients must be provided with a copy of their will upon completion.
- Firms may not insist on being appointed as executors in the wills they draft as part of this campaign.
- Attorneys are not expected to redraft existing wills or provide complex estate planning (eg, trust formation or tax planning).
This structure ensures that firms can participate meaningfully in the campaign without incurring undue costs or taking on matters beyond the campaign’s scope.
Why the public should use attorneys to draft wills
National Wills Week also serves to educate the public on the risks associated with unregulated will drafting. While stationery stores, online services, and unqualified consultants may offer inexpensive or ‘convenient’ solutions, these often result in wills that are vague, improperly witnessed, or invalid, placing loved ones at risk.
Attorneys offer the public more than legal paperwork: They provide trusted counsel and the assurance that the client’s final wishes are legally enforceable. A valid, professionally drafted will:
- Ensures the individual’s estate is distributed according to their intentions.
- Reduces the likelihood of family disputes or litigation.
- Allows for the nomination of guardians for minor children.
- Protects vulnerable dependants.
- Helps avoid delays in the administration of the estate.
National Wills Week gives members of the public access to this level of legal certainty and provides an opportunity to experience first-hand the value of consulting a qualified attorney.
A social responsibility worth embracing
National Wills Week is more than a campaign, it is a demonstration of the legal profession’s enduring commitment to access to justice. It is a chance for attorneys to contribute directly to their communities and to the professional image of the legal sector as ethical, approachable, and essential.
Participation also affirms the LSSA’s strategic objective to promote the rule of law and support the professional growth of attorneys, especially through initiatives that build public confidence in the legal profession. In the words of practitioners who have participated in the past: ‘Wills Week reminds the public that attorneys are accessible, professional, and community-focused.’ It is this message that the LSSA seeks to amplify in 2025 with the support of legal professionals nationwide.
Ready to participate in National Wills Week 2025 or need professional legal assistance with wills and estate planning? Lombard & Partners Inc. is committed to serving our community through initiatives like National Wills Week while providing comprehensive legal services year-round. Whether you’re looking to draft a will, update your estate planning, or require expert legal guidance, our experienced team is here to help. Contact Lombard & Partners Inc. today to discuss your legal needs and discover how we can assist you in protecting your family’s future. Visit us at lombardandpartnersinc.co.za or call our office to schedule a consultation.