Making a will

Making a will is an essential step in financially protecting your loved ones.

You can provide a legacy by getting your final wishes down on paper, whether that's passing your home onto your children or leaving your friends with sentimental items. 

But what steps are included in writing a will?

 

What is a will?

A will is a legal document that states your final wishes, such as how you would like your money, possessions, and property to be split between your loved ones. 

It provides clear instructions on what to do, leaving no confusion for those left behind. 

To write a will, you must be aged 18 or over. It must be a voluntary process, and you must be of sound mind. 

Why do I need a will?

If you don’t let your loved ones know of your final wishes, there could be confusion amongst your loved ones, which could cause arguments.

Without a will, your estate (your savings, possessions, and property) will be divided using the ‘rules of intestacy.’ These rules outline an order of inheritance, prioritising husbands/wives, children, or blood relatives.

Writing a will can be particularly beneficial for couples who aren’t married or for those with stepchildren. This is because the rules of intestacy wouldn’t include them when dividing your estate.

By writing a will and specifying your wishes, it ensures that everyone gets what they're supposed to. 

How to a write a will (step-by-step guide)

Step 1: Decide if you want to write your will yourself or if you’d like to get some help

It’s completely legal to write your will yourself, but you’ll need to get it formally witnessed and signed to make it legally binding.

If your will is likely to be complex, it’s recommended that you get a solicitor or legal professional to help draft your will to make sure everything is as it should be.

Alternatively, you could use a will-writing service. This method is often much cheaper than using a solicitor, but you still benefit from getting help and support.

You’ll want to make sure the service you’re using is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority or belongs to the Institute of Professional Will Writers or the Society of Will Writers. 

Step 2: Decide who'll benefit from your will

Here’s what to consider when making a will:

• Who do you want to benefit from your will and what you want them to inherit? - decide who will inherit things like your savings, properties, business assets, sentimental items, cars, heirlooms, jewellery, etc.
• What are your funeral wishes? - if you don’t have any alternative plans in place that document how you’d like your funeral to be (such as a funeral plan), a will can allow you to do this.
• Who will take guardianship of your children? – if you have children under the age of 18, you can state in your will, who'll look after them if the worst should happen. 
• Would you like to make a donation to charity? – if you’ve got a cause that’s close to your heart, you can choose to leave them a donation in your will. 
• What happens if your beneficiaries die before you? – you can make alternative plans in case your beneficiaries die before you.

Step 3: Name the executor of your will

In your document, you’ll need to name who you’d like to be the executor of your will.

This person will become responsible for your will after your death and will make sure your wishes are carried out. 

For this reason, it’s important to choose someone that you trust. It could be a spouse, friend, relative or someone impartial like a solicitor (but you may be charged a fee for their services). 

Your executor can be someone that you’ve named as a beneficiary. 

If you don’t name an executor in your will, someone will be appointed as an administrator after your death. This is typically chosen by the court but it could be a friend or relative. An administrator has the same responsibilities as an executor.

Step 4: Make it legally binding and store it safely

To make sure it’s valid, you’ll need to sign your will in the presence of 2 witnesses and these witnesses must also sign the document in your presence.

These witnesses (and their married partners) can’t be people that you have named to benefit from your will.

Once your will has been written, signed and is legally binding, you’ll need to keep it safe either with your solicitor, your bank or through a company that stores wills.

Step 5: Keep your will updated

Things change over time so it’s good to keep your will up-to-date.

For example, if you become grandparents, you may want to write a new will that includes your grandchild.

If you do make a new will, it’s a good idea to destroy your old one so there isn’t any confusion when the time comes. You can destroy a will be shredding the document, tearing it up or burning it.

Frequently asked questions about writing a will 

What is the cost of making a will with a solicitor?

How much it costs to use a solicitor to write your will can depend on factors such as:

• The type of will: A simple will could start from £150, whereas a complex will could cost between £162 - £477. 
• Whether you’re taking out a will as a couple: If you’re a couple and you’re both writing a will, you could opt for a ‘mirror will’. This is where the wills are separate, but the terms are very similar. The partners typically name each other as the main beneficiaries. It’s a cheaper option than writing 2 completely separate wills.
• Solicitor’s fees: Fees can vary depending on the solicitor. It’s good to shop around to find a price that’s right for you. 

Can I make a will without a solicitor?

Yes, it’s not a legal requirement to use the services of a solicitor to make a will.

It's possible to write your will yourself or using a will-writing service.

Can I make a will online?

Yes, there are many online will-writing services you can use.

Online services tend to be cheaper than using a solicitor, but you’ll still be charged a fee.

If you’re using an online service, it’s important to make sure it’s regulated by the appropriate organisations. 

Can I use a will to donate to charity?

Yes, when you write your will, you can state that you would like to leave a donation to charity.

You can put the name of the charity and how much money you’d like to donate. 

Where can I get advice on making a will?

If you need help and advice on getting started with your will, you could:

• Use a financial advisor or solicitor: You could reach out to a solicitor or financial advisor to get help and support with your will. You’ll likely be charged a fee for their services.
• Check out online resources: The government website and charities, such as Age UK, have in-depth information on writing a will.
• Utilise a charity scheme, such as free wills month: A will-writing charity scheme that provides UK residents over the age of 55 with a free simple will or free updates to their current will. Free wills month starts 1st October 2025.
• Check your life insurance: Some life insurance providers offer a free will-writing service with their policies.

Do I need a will if I have life insurance?

Yes, it’s still important write your will if you have life insurance in place.

This is because a will and life insurance are different to one another.

A life insurance policy financially protects your loved ones by paying out a lump sum if you die during your policy term. You can choose to write your policy in trust, which separates your pay out from your estate.

You’ll name a trustee and their responsibilities will be similar to an executor of a will. They’ll make sure the pay out gets to the right people and that each person has the right amount. 

Whereas your will allows you to state how you would like your other assets to be split amongst your loved ones.

You could choose to mention any life insurance policies you have in your will. Doing this makes sure the proceeds go to the right people and they’re used as you intended.

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