Learning how to write a will is one of the most valuable pieces of life admin you can complete, yet many adults in the UK still do not have one. Without a valid will, your estate is divided under the rules of intestacy, which may not reflect your wishes at all. The good news is that writing a will is usually far more straightforward than people expect, especially when you break it down into clear steps.
This guide explains the process for England and Wales: what to prepare, the decisions you need to make, how to sign your will correctly, and when paying for professional help is money well spent.
Why writing a will matters
A will lets you decide who inherits your money, property and possessions, who will administer your estate, and who would care for your children if both parents died. If you die without one, the intestacy rules apply a fixed order of relatives. Unmarried partners receive nothing under those rules no matter how long you have lived together, a point we explore further in our guide to the rights of a common-law partner. Step-children, friends and charities are also excluded unless you name them yourself.
A clear will also reduces stress and cost for your family at a difficult time. Executors know exactly what to do, beneficiaries know what to expect, and the probate process is generally smoother than an intestacy administration.
Who can make a will?
In England and Wales you must be 18 or over and have testamentary capacity, meaning you understand the nature of making a will, the extent of your estate, and the claims of the people who might expect to benefit. The rules differ slightly in Scotland, where the minimum age is 12 and the signing requirements are different, so take advice if you live north of the border or hold assets in more than one part of the UK.
Step 1: list your assets and debts
Before you write anything, make a full list of what you own and what you owe. Include property, savings, investments, pensions, vehicles, valuable possessions and digital assets such as online accounts. Note any debts, including mortgages, loans and credit cards. This inventory forms the backbone of your will and helps you decide how your estate should be divided. It is also worth reviewing whether inheritance tax could apply to larger estates; our overview of law and taxation explains how the two interact.
Step 2: decide who inherits
Next, decide who your beneficiaries are and what each should receive. Many people leave specific gifts first, such as jewellery, a car or a set sum of money to a friend or charity, and then leave the remainder, known as the residuary estate, to their closest family. Always express residuary gifts as percentages so the whole estate is accounted for, and think about a fallback: what should happen if a beneficiary dies before you?
Step 3: choose your executors
Executors are the people legally responsible for administering your estate: registering the death, valuing assets, paying debts and tax, and distributing everything according to your will. Choose people who are organised, trustworthy and willing to take on the role, and always ask them first. Many people appoint a spouse or adult child, plus a substitute in case the first choice cannot act. You can also appoint a professional executor, such as a solicitor, which can be sensible for complex estates.
Step 4: appoint guardians for your children
If you have children under 18, your will is where you name their guardians. This is one of the most important decisions in the document, so discuss it with your chosen guardians and make sure they are genuinely willing. You can also set out how money left to your children should be managed until they are old enough to inherit outright, commonly at 18 or a later age you specify.
How to write a will: your options
There are several routes to a finished will. A solicitor will interview you, advise on tax and family circumstances, and draft a bespoke document; this is the safest option for anything beyond a very simple estate, and our page on private client law explains the wider services solicitors offer in this area. Online will-writing services and regulated will writers suit straightforward situations at lower cost. DIY kits and free templates are the cheapest route but carry the highest risk of mistakes, ambiguous wording and invalid execution.
Whichever route you choose, read the draft carefully. Check every name is spelt correctly, addresses are current, and the document says exactly what you intend. Small errors in names or shares are among the most common causes of disputes later.
Signing and witnessing: getting it right
A will is only valid if it is executed correctly. In England and Wales it must be in writing, signed by you, and your signature must be made or acknowledged in the presence of two witnesses who are present at the same time; both witnesses must then sign in your presence. Crucially, a witness must not be a beneficiary, and neither should their spouse or civil partner, because a gift to a beneficiary who witnesses the will is void even though the rest of the will stands.
Keep the signed original somewhere safe and tell your executors where it is. Many solicitors store wills for free, and you can also register the will’s location with a national register so it can be found after your death. Storing key paperwork properly matters for all your important records, as we discuss in our guide to legal documents in the UK.
When to update your will
A will is not a write-once document. Review it after every major life event. Marriage automatically revokes an existing will in England and Wales unless it was made in contemplation of that marriage, and divorce affects gifts and executor appointments to your former spouse. The arrival of children or grandchildren, buying or selling property, starting a business or a significant change in your finances are all triggers for a review. Many people simply check their will every five years as a matter of routine.
While you are reviewing your affairs, it is also worth considering a lasting power of attorney, which lets trusted people make decisions if you lose capacity during your lifetime. Our guide to powers of attorney solicitors explains how they work, and our page on the Court of Protection covers what happens when no power of attorney is in place.
Final thoughts
Now you know how to write a will, the hardest step is simply starting. Set aside an hour to list your assets, decide on beneficiaries, executors and guardians, and then choose the drafting route that matches the complexity of your estate. A clear, valid, up-to-date will is one of the most considerate things you can leave behind for the people you care about.
