Daily Junction.mobi portalPersonal Finance · February 17, 2025 · Rachel Stone · 5 min
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.
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.
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 and keeping an emergency fund; together they form a plan that protects the people who depend on you.
It is tempting to assume the "obvious" people will inherit automatically. The reality of intestacy is often surprising:
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.
In England and Wales, for a will to be legally valid you must:
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.
You do not always need a solicitor, but you do need to be thorough.
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.
A will is not "set and forget." Review it after major life events:
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.
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.
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