Why Every Veteran Should Have a Will – And How to Get Started

Leaving the Armed Forces means planning for the future in new ways. Veterans are used to thinking ahead, managing risk, and protecting the people around them. But one important step many people delay is writing a Will. It’s understandable. Wills often feel like something to think about later in life. But in reality, they are one of the most important ways to protect your family, your assets, and the causes you care about.

For veterans and members of the Armed Forces community, having a Will can be especially important. Service life often involves moving around the country, unique financial arrangements, and strong connections with military charities and support networks.

The good news is that writing a Will is easier than many people expect. Through Troopr, veterans can access trusted Will-writing providers who understand the Armed Forces community and can help ensure your wishes are properly documented.

Why Veterans Should Write a Will

Here are some key reasons why veterans should consider writing a Will sooner rather than later.

1. Protect Your Loved Ones

The most important reason to write a Will is to protect the people who matter most to you.

If you die without a Will:

• Unmarried partners may not automatically inherit
• Stepchildren may not receive anything
• Your estate may be divided in ways you didn’t intend

A Will ensures your money, property, and possessions go to the people you choose. For veterans who may have built families across different postings or stages of life, this clarity can make a huge difference.

2. Plan for Your Children’s Future

If you have children under 18, writing a Will allows you to appoint guardians to care for them if something happens to you. Without this step, the courts could decide who takes responsibility for your children.

A Will also allows you to:

• Set up trusts for children
• Protect inheritance until they reach adulthood
• Ensure financial security for their future

3. Support the Armed Forces Community

Many veterans want to give something back to the charities that supported them during or after service. Leaving a gift in your Will is one of the most powerful ways to do that.

For example:

Royal British Legion

The Royal British Legion provides lifelong support to serving personnel, veterans, and their families. Through their legacy programme, they even offer help with writing a Will so supporters can plan their legacy while ensuring their loved ones are provided for.

Help for Heroes

The Help for Heroes also offers a free Will-writing service, helping veterans and supporters create a legally valid Will while raising vital funds to support wounded veterans and their families. Many people choose to leave a small percentage of their estate to charities like these, helping ensure support continues for future generations of service personnel.

Combat Stress

Combat Stress has partnered with solicitors across the UK to offer a free Will-writing service. This initiative allows individuals to have their Will professionally written at no cost, making it easier to plan for the future and ensure their wishes are clearly recorded. The service is available nationwide and provides a simple way to access legal support when preparing a Will.

4. Avoid Stress for Your Family

Losing a loved one is already incredibly difficult. Without a Will, family members may also face complex legal processes to settle your estate.

A Will helps:

• Reduce uncertainty
• Prevent family disputes
• Speed up the administration process

In short, it removes unnecessary stress during an already challenging time.

How Troopr Helps Veterans Get Started

One of the biggest barriers to writing a Will is simply knowing where to begin. Troopr connects veterans with trusted providers offering Will-writing services across the UK, many of whom understand the Armed Forces community and support the Armed Forces Covenant.

Examples of providers listed on Troopr include:

• The Will Guys
• UK Will Advice
• Will Associates 

These organisations offer services ranging from simple online Will creation to full legal advice and secure registration of your Will. Many are small specialist firms who provide personal guidance and flexible services tailored to your situation - with discounts for the Armed Forces community. 

A Simple Guide to Writing Your Will

If you’ve never written a Will before, the process is usually straightforward.

Here’s how to get started.

1. List Your Assets

Start by identifying what you own. This could include:

• Property or housing
• Savings and investments
• Vehicles
• Valuable items
• Pensions or service-related benefits

This helps determine what your estate includes.

2. Decide Who Will Inherit

Think about who you want to benefit from your estate.

This could include:

• A partner or spouse
• Children or grandchildren
• Friends or extended family
• Armed Forces charities

Being clear about your wishes ensures your estate is distributed exactly how you want.

3. Choose an Executor

An executor is responsible for carrying out the instructions in your Will.

You might choose:

• A trusted family member
• A close friend
• A solicitor or professional adviser

Some Will-writing providers can also act as professional executors if needed.

4. Appoint Guardians

If you have children under 18, you should appoint guardians in your Will. This ensures someone you trust will care for them if something happens to you.

5. Sign and Store Your Will Safely

For a Will to be legally valid in the UK, it must be signed and witnessed correctly. Many Troopr-listed providers can also help you register your Will with services like Certainty – The National Will Register, ensuring it can be located when needed.

When Should You Write a Will?

Many people delay writing a Will because they think they are too young or don’t have enough assets.

But in reality, a Will is important for anyone who has:

• A partner
• Children
• Property or savings
• Causes they care about

Life events are often the best time to create or update your Will, such as:

• Leaving the Armed Forces
• Buying a home
• Getting married
• Having children
• Starting a new career

Even if you already have a Will, it’s good practice to review it every few years. Through Troopr, veterans can quickly find trusted Will-writing providers who understand the Armed Forces community and can guide them through the process with confidence. Because planning ahead isn’t just about paperwork, it’s about peace of mind.