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How to Make a Will UK: Step by Step Guide

If you’ve been putting off writing a will because it feels morbid, complicated, or expensive, you’re not alone. Research consistently shows that more than half of UK adults don’t have one. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: if you die without a will, the law decides who gets your money, your home, and even who looks after your children — not you.

The good news is that making a will doesn’t have to be daunting or costly. Whether you’re a parent wanting to name a guardian for your kids, someone with a partner you’re not married to, or simply want peace of mind, this guide walks you through exactly how to make a will in the UK, step by step, in plain English.

By the end, you’ll understand what a will actually needs to include, how to choose between DIY and professional help, what it costs, and the simple mistakes that can cause big problems for your loved ones later.

Why Making a Will Matters More Than You Think

Without a will, your estate is distributed under “intestacy rules” — a fixed legal formula that doesn’t care about your actual wishes. For example, if you’re unmarried but living with a partner of 20 years, they could legally receive nothing, even if you own a home together. If you’re married with children, your spouse might not automatically inherit everything either — the estate could be split in ways neither of you would have chosen.

A will lets you:

• Decide exactly who gets what (money, property, possessions)
• Name a guardian for children under 18
• Leave gifts to charities or friends outside your immediate family
• Appoint someone you trust (an executor) to sort everything out
• Potentially reduce inheritance tax through careful planning

According to Citizens Advice, having a valid will is one of the simplest ways to protect the people who matter most to you after you’re gone.

Step 1: Take Stock of Your Estate

Before writing anything, make a list of what you actually own and owe. This is called your “estate” and includes:

• Property (your home, or share of one)
• Savings and current accounts
• Investments, pensions, and life insurance payouts
• Vehicles, jewellery, and valuable possessions
• Debts (mortgages, loans, credit cards)

You don’t need exact figures — just a clear picture. This helps you decide what to leave, to whom, and whether inheritance tax might apply (currently relevant if your estate is worth more than £325,000, though this can vary with allowances).

Step 2: Decide Who Gets What

This is the emotional heart of the process. Common decisions include:

• Your spouse or partner — especially important if you’re unmarried, as partners have no automatic legal right to inherit
• Children — you can specify equal or unequal shares, and set an age at which they receive their inheritance
• Extended family or friends — specific items or sums of money (“legacies”)
• Charities — many people leave a percentage of their estate to causes they care about

Be specific. Instead of “my jewellery to my daughter,” name items if there are several children, to avoid disputes later.

Step 3: Choose Your Executors

Executors are the people who carry out your will after you die — paying debts, distributing assets, and handling paperwork. You can name up to four, though two is usually sensible (a backup in case one can’t act).

Good executors are:

• Trustworthy and organised
• Willing to take on the responsibility (always ask first)
• Not too old, ideally, since they need to outlive you

You can choose a family member, friend, or a professional (like a solicitor), though professional executors often charge a fee from the estate.

Step 4: Appoint Guardians for Children

If you have children under 18, your will should name a legal guardian in case both parents die. Without this named, the courts decide — and it may not be who you’d have chosen. This section alone is a compelling reason for parents to make a will as soon as possible, even in your 20s or 30s.

Step 5: Choose How to Write Your Will

You have three main routes. Here’s how they compare:

For most people with a modest, uncomplicated estate, an online service or solicitor-drafted will offers the best balance of cost and reassurance. If your affairs are complicated — second marriages, dependants with disabilities, overseas assets — a solicitor is strongly recommended.

Step 6: Sign and Witness It Correctly

This is where many DIY wills fail. For a will to be legally valid in the UK, you must:

1. Be 18 or over and of sound mind
2. Put it in writing
3. Sign it yourself, in the presence of two witnesses
4. Have both witnesses sign it too, in your presence

Crucially, witnesses cannot be beneficiaries of the will (or married to a beneficiary) — if they are, they may lose their entitlement to inherit. Witnesses also don’t need to read the contents, just watch you sign.

Step 7: Store It Somewhere Safe — and Tell Someone

A will is only useful if it can be found. Options include:

• At home in a fireproof, clearly labelled folder
• With your solicitor
• At a bank (sometimes for a fee)
• Registered with a national will register (a paid service that logs its existence and location)

Whatever you choose, make sure your executor knows where it is. A perfectly written will that nobody can find is as good as no will at all.

Step 8: Review and Update It Regularly

Life changes — and your will should too. Revisit it after:

• Marriage or divorce (marriage automatically revokes an old will in England and Wales; divorce doesn’t remove an ex from a will unless updated)
• Having children or grandchildren
• Buying property
• A significant change in your finances
• The death of an executor or major beneficiary

Small changes can sometimes be made with a “codicil” (a legal amendment), but for bigger changes, it’s usually simpler and safer to write a new will entirely.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not updating after divorce or remarriage — outdated wills cause the most disputes
• Vague wording — “my belongings to my family” invites arguments
• Using a beneficiary as a witness — can invalidate their inheritance
• Forgetting digital assets — online accounts, crypto, or digital photos
• Not planning for jointly owned property — how it’s owned (jointly vs. as tenants in common) affects what you can leave in a will

The UK Government’s official guidance on making a will is a useful reference point for the legal requirements specific to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, which differ slightly.

Conclusion

Making a will isn’t about expecting the worst — it’s about making sure the people you love aren’t left with confusion, unnecessary costs, or legal battles during an already difficult time.

Key takeaways:

• Without a will, UK intestacy rules decide who inherits — not you
• List your assets, decide beneficiaries, and choose trustworthy executors before writing anything
• DIY kits work for simple estates; solicitors are worth the cost for complex ones
• Signing and witnessing rules are strict — get them wrong and the will can be invalid
• Review your will after major life events, and make sure someone knows where it’s kept

Whatever route you choose, the most important step is simply starting. A basic, valid will written today is far more protective than a perfect one you never get around to writing.

Next read: Want to get your finances fully in order? Read our guide on organising your finances after a bereavement: /organising-finances-after-bereavement