# How to Make a Will (UK): A Plain-English Guide

> A will makes sure your money, property and possessions go where you want and that your wishes are followed. This UK guide explains how to make a valid will, who needs one, and the common mistakes to avoid.

*Section: Personal Finance — By Rachel Stone (Personal Finance Editor) — Published February 17, 2025 — 5 min read*

Canonical URL: https://dailyjunction.co.uk/business-finance/how-to-make-a-will
Tags: wills, estate planning, inheritance, probate, legal

## Key takeaways

- A will sets out who inherits your estate and can name guardians for children and an executor.
- Without one, the intestacy rules decide who inherits — which may not match your wishes.
- To be valid in England and Wales a will must be written, signed and witnessed correctly.
- Review your will after major life events such as marriage, divorce, children or buying a home.
- This is general information, not legal advice.

Making a will is one of those tasks that is easy to put off forever — it feels morbid, complicated and rarely urgent. Yet it is one of the most considerate and practical things you can do for the people you care about. A will spares your family difficult guesswork at the worst possible time and makes sure your wishes are actually followed. This guide explains, in plain English, how to make a valid will in the UK, who really needs one, and the mistakes that catch people out. *This is general information, not legal advice.*

## What a will is

**A will is a legal document that sets out what should happen to your money, property and possessions — your "estate" — after you die.** It lets you decide who inherits what, name an **executor** to carry out your wishes, and, if you have young children, appoint **guardians** to look after them.

Crucially, a will puts *you* in control. Without one, you die "intestate," and the law's **intestacy rules** decide who inherits — a rigid order that may not reflect your relationships at all. Making a will is also a natural part of getting your wider finances in order, alongside steps like understanding your [pension](/business-finance/uk-pensions-explained) and keeping an [emergency fund](/business-finance/how-to-build-an-emergency-fund); together they form a plan that protects the people who depend on you.

## Why a will matters

It is tempting to assume the "obvious" people will inherit automatically. The reality of intestacy is often surprising:

- **Unmarried partners** have no automatic right to inherit, no matter how long you have been together. There is no such thing in law as a "common-law spouse."
- **Stepchildren** are not automatically provided for.
- **The order of inheritance is fixed** — spouse and children first, then other relatives — which can leave out exactly the people you most wanted to help.
- **Guardianship of children** is left for the courts to decide rather than you.

> A will is less about wealth than about clarity. It replaces uncertainty and potential family conflict with a clear, legally backed statement of what you actually want.

A well-made will can also help your family avoid disputes, speed up the administration of your estate, and — with planning — manage any **inheritance tax** that might be due.

## What makes a will valid

In **England and Wales**, for a will to be legally valid you must:

1. **Be 18 or over** and of **sound mind** (you understand what you are doing).
2. **Make it voluntarily**, without pressure from anyone.
3. **Put it in writing.**
4. **Sign it** in the presence of **two independent adult witnesses**.
5. **Have both witnesses sign it** while you watch.

There is one rule people frequently trip over: a **witness — or their spouse or civil partner — cannot be a beneficiary** of the will. If they are, they typically lose their inheritance, even though the will itself may remain valid. Choose witnesses who gain nothing from the will, such as neighbours or colleagues.

Note that the rules differ in **Scotland** (where, for example, a will can be valid with one witness and the legal framework varies), so check the requirements for your part of the UK. GOV.UK sets out the formalities clearly.

## How to make a will: step by step

You do not always need a solicitor, but you do need to be thorough.

1. **List your assets and debts.** Property, savings, investments, [pensions](/business-finance/uk-pensions-explained) (note many pensions pass via a separate nomination, not the will), vehicles, valuables — and anything you owe.
2. **Decide who gets what.** Name your beneficiaries and what each should receive. Consider what happens if a beneficiary dies before you.
3. **Choose your executor(s).** This is the person (or people) who will administer your estate. Pick someone organised and trustworthy; it can be a beneficiary, a professional, or both.
4. **Appoint guardians** for any children under 18.
5. **Consider specific gifts and wishes** — particular items, charitable donations, or funeral preferences.
6. **Write it up correctly** using a solicitor, a reputable will-writing service, or a well-drafted template for simple estates.
7. **Sign and witness it properly**, following the rules above.
8. **Store it safely** and tell your executor where it is. A will no one can find is little use.

## DIY, will-writing service, or solicitor?

The right route depends on how complex your situation is.

| Option | Best for | Watch out for |
|--------|----------|---------------|
| DIY / template | Simple, modest estates | Easy to make invalidating errors |
| Will-writing service | Straightforward needs, lower cost | Check qualifications and regulation |
| Solicitor | Complex estates, tax planning | Higher cost, but fewer risks |

A solicitor is particularly worth it if you have a **blended family**, **business assets**, **property abroad**, potential **inheritance tax**, or you anticipate the will being **contested**. The cost of professional advice is usually small next to the cost — financial and emotional — of a flawed will. **Citizens Advice** can point you to free or low-cost help, and some charities run will-writing schemes at certain times of year.

## Keep it up to date

A will is not "set and forget." Review it after major life events:

- **Marriage or civil partnership** — in England and Wales this usually *revokes* an existing will unless it was specifically made in contemplation of that marriage.
- **Divorce** — affects how parts of your will are treated.
- **Having or adopting children** — you may need to add beneficiaries or guardians.
- **Buying property or a significant change in wealth.**
- **A beneficiary or executor dying.**

To make changes, you either add a formal amendment called a **codicil** (which must be signed and witnessed like the will) or, more commonly today, simply make a new will that revokes the old one. Never amend a signed will by crossing things out — that can invalidate it.

## The bottom line

A will is a straightforward way to make sure your estate goes where you want, your children are cared for by people you trust, and your loved ones are spared avoidable stress and conflict. Make sure it meets the legal requirements — written, signed and properly witnessed by people who are not beneficiaries — and get professional help if your circumstances are complex. Above all, review it after big life changes and store it where your executor can find it. It is general information here, not legal advice, so for anything beyond the simplest estate, speak to a qualified professional.

## Frequently asked questions

### Why do I need a will?

A will lets you decide who inherits your money, property and possessions, name guardians for children under 18, and appoint someone you trust to carry out your wishes. Without one, the law's intestacy rules decide who benefits, which may exclude unmarried partners and others you would want to provide for. This is general information, not legal advice.

### What makes a will valid in England and Wales?

You must be 18 or over and of sound mind, make it voluntarily, put it in writing, sign it in the presence of two independent adult witnesses, and have those witnesses sign it too. Witnesses (and their spouses) cannot be beneficiaries. The rules differ slightly in Scotland.

### Do I need a solicitor to make a will?

Not always. Simple estates can use a will-writing service or template, but a solicitor is wise if your situation is complex — for example blended families, business assets, property abroad or potential inheritance tax. Getting it wrong can make the will invalid or cause disputes.

### How often should I update my will?

Review it after major life events such as marriage, divorce, having children, buying property or a death in the family. Note that in England and Wales marriage usually revokes an earlier will unless it was made in contemplation of that marriage.

## Sources

- [GOV.UK — Make a will](https://www.gov.uk/make-will)
- [Citizens Advice](https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/)
- [MoneyHelper](https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/)

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