South Africans will be able to get a will drafted free of charge by participating legal practitioners during National Wills Week, which runs from Monday, 14 September, to Friday, 18 September 2026.
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development says the annual campaign is intended to widen access to legal help and encourage people to put valid instructions in place for the administration of their estates.
During the five-day programme, participating attorneys will provide free legal advice and prepare basic wills without charging a drafting fee. The service is offered through participating practices rather than automatically at every law office, so members of the public should first confirm that a practitioner is taking part.
What the programme covers
A will records how a person’s estate should be dealt with after death and can identify the person who should administer it. Justice Department guidance says a valid will helps ensure that assets are distributed according to the person’s wishes. Where there is no valid will, the estate is distributed under the rules of intestate succession.
The department’s Master of the High Court website points the public to National Wills Week information and to Legal Aid South Africa for further assistance. The Law Society of South Africa is also registering practitioners for the 2026 campaign.
The free service applies during the campaign period. Any person seeking help should take identification and the details needed to explain their family circumstances, assets and intended beneficiaries, and should confirm any document requirements with the participating practitioner before the appointment.
National Wills Week begins on Monday and ends on Friday, 18 September.
