How to make a will

How do I make a will?

Writing a will ensures your wishes are carried out after you die. If you don’t have a will in place your estate will be administered in line with intestacy rules, meaning you won’t have a say in what happens to your money, property and possessions.

You can write your own will, hire a solicitor or use a will-writing firm - what’s best for you depends on your circumstances, how complex your affairs are and how much support you require during the process.

Here, we explain the options for writing a will, what to include and the steps you need to take to make sure your will is legally binding.

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DIY: writing your own will

It is possible to write your own will - either from scratch or using a template - but it’s generally not advised and only suitable if your affairs are very straightforward.

If you do decide to write your own will, it’s crucial that the document is witnessed correctly and includes all major assets.

It’s generally advised that you seek professional support, as an entirely DIY approach could leave you with problems that don’t become evident until after your death. 

Typical mistakes include leaving out important assets, using vague or ambiguous language (which can cause confusion about your wishes) and not having the will executed properly. 

While it doesn’t cost anything to write your own will, there’s no need to take the DIY route to save money: there are lots of schemes that will allow you to write a professionally-drafted will for free.

• Find out more: how to make a will for free

Will-writing firms

Using a will-writing firm is a good option if you would like some guidance but don’t want to pay solicitors’ fees.

These companies provide guidance to help you draft your will, and many offer the option to have your will reviewed for errors by a solicitor or paralegal. Prices typically start at around £100.

Take care, as will writing is an unregulated industry. Look for a service that’s recognised by a regulatory body such as the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or is supervised by a regulated individual.

For example, Co-op Legal Services is regulated by the SRA and the team at Which? Wills is supervised by an SRA-regulated solicitor.

• Find out more: why cost shouldn't be a barrier to writing your will

Using a solicitor

It’s generally recommended that you use a solicitor if your situation is complex. It’s worth considering a lawyer if:

• You have complex family circumstances
• You want to provide financial support for a disabled friend or relative
• You own assets or property abroad
• Inheritance tax will be due on your estate

You should seek legal advice if you’re considering setting up a will trust, as these are complicated structures with tax implications. 

A solicitor will discuss your wishes with you, write your will and check it to ensure it’s free of errors and legally binding. They’ll also usually store it for you for free. 

The cost will depend on how complex your affairs are. In a Which? survey carried out in May 2025, those who used a lawyer to write their will paid on average £328, but it can cost much more. Shop around for quotes and be upfront about your requirements to avoid surprises later on.

Solicitors are regulated, so you or your dependants will be able to seek compensation if problems arise with the will.

• Find out more: will trusts and lifetime trusts

Who should I choose as my executor?

Your executor will be responsible for administering your estate and carrying out your wishes, and you should specify them in your will. It's best practice to name more than one executor (or one executor and a substitute).

Choose someone that you trust and believe will have the time and skills to carry out the role. You should have a conversation with them before you appoint them to make sure they’re happy to carry out the role.

Many people choose friends or relatives, but you can also appoint a solicitor to carry out the process.

Be aware that appointing a professional can cost thousands of pounds. If you appoint a non-professional they can always commission probate services if they need help.

• Find out more: how to choose an executor

What should I include in my will?

Your will should explain how you want your money, property and possessions to be distributed after you die. You can also specify who will look after your children, who will administer your estate, and wishes for your funeral. You may want to include:

• Bequests: Your will should specify who will receive your assets. You can specify who should receive a particular item or amount of money (a specific legacy) or you can leave people a share of the total value of your remaining estate, once all debts have been paid (this is known as a residual legacy).
• Provision for your children: If you care for children under 18 you should set out who will become their guardian. You can also specify how they will be financially supported - this is often done by setting up a trust.
• Gifts to charity: You may choose to leave a gift to charity in your will. Any money you leave to charity will be exempt from inheritance tax and you may also be able to reduce an inheritance tax bill if you leave a certain amount of your estate to charity. 
• Care for pets: You can leave the care of your pets to a specific person and outline any instructions you have.
• Funeral arrangements: You can specify wishes for your funeral, but be aware these aren’t legally binding. Your will may not be read until after your funeral plans are in place, so it’s wise to discuss your wishes with a loved one or your executor.
• Digital assets: Digital assets, such as photos, films and music form part of your estate and you can specify who owns these once you pass on.

How to make sure your will is legally binding

However you write your will, it must be signed by you and your witnesses in order to be legally binding.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland your will must be signed in the presence of two independent witnesses who are 18 or over. In Scotland you only require one witness aged 16 or over. 

Once you’ve signed the document, you should watch your witnesses sign it.

Be aware that witnesses cannot be named as beneficiaries. If you leave anything to a witness in your will, the gift will be void. 

Your will can be challenged if there’s suspicion that it has been altered. Make sure you follow the proper process for making changes. 

Your will should be securely bound - for example, using a single staple in the top left hand corner - but avoid removing staples or using a paperclip, as this can leave marks that may be interpreted as evidence of tampering.

• Find out more: could your will be contested?

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When to review your will

We recommend that you review your will every three years to make sure it reflects your current circumstances and wishes, and after the following major life events:

• getting separated or divorced
• getting married
• having children
• moving house
• if an executor dies

Certain life events automatically affect your will. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, getting married or entering a civil partnership automatically revokes a will. 

Marriage doesn't revoke a will in Scotland. Under Scottish law, getting married gives your spouse legal rights to part of your estate.

If you get divorced, your former partner is treated as if they’re deceased, meaning any gift or appointment as executor would fail. If you want to name them as either a beneficiary or executor you will need to write a new will.

• Find out more: one in ten unaware their will is invalid

How to update your will

You can’t change your will once it’s been signed and witnessed, but you can make official amendments using a codicil.

A codicil is a separate document used to make simple updates, such as changing an executor or adding a beneficiary. It must be signed and witnessed in the same way as your will.

If you want to make more significant changes, it’s usually best to write a new will. Your new document should state that it revokes all previous wills and codicils, and you should destroy any older versions.

• Find out more: the six mistakes that could invalidate your will

Where to store your will

It’s vital that your will is stored safely and that your executor knows where to find it. If your will is damaged or your executor can’t find your will your estate may be administered in line with intestacy rules.

You can store your will in a safe place at home, or with a solicitor, your bank or a will storage company for a fee. You should ask if there are any costs to access the will.

You can also register your will with the National Will Register for a £30 fee. This can help your executor locate your will if they're unable to find it.