Write Your Own Will in the UK: Step-by-Step (No Solicitor)

You can write a legally valid will yourself in the UK for free or very little cost. A DIY will is binding if it meets four legal rules. Thousands of people do this every year—and thousands more pay solicitors £200–£500 for identical work.

The Four Rules for a Valid Will in the UK

Your will is legally binding if it meets all four of these conditions:

1. You must be 18 or over. The will is invalid if you were younger when you wrote it.
2. You must have mental capacity. You understand what you own, who your family and dependants are, and what the will does.
3. It must be in writing. Typed, printed, or handwritten—all count. Audio or video alone does not.
4. It must be signed and witnessed properly. You sign it in front of two independent adult witnesses, who then sign it in your presence. They cannot be beneficiaries or married to beneficiaries.

If your will breaks any of these rules, it may be invalid and your estate will be treated as if you died without a will.

How to Write Your Will Step by Step

Step 1: Gather Information About Your Estate

Write down everything you own and roughly what it is worth:

• Property (house, flat, land)
• Bank accounts and savings
• Pensions and insurance
• Shares and investments
• Vehicles
• Valuables (jewellery, art, antiques)
• Digital assets (email accounts, online banking, social media)
• Business interests

You do not need exact values yet, but a rough list helps you decide who gets what and ensures nothing is forgotten.

Step 2: Decide Who Inherits What

Plan your gifts (called bequests):

• Specific items: "My watch to my daughter Alice."
• Money sums: "£5,000 to my brother James."
• The rest of your estate (the residue): "Everything else to my wife Sophie."

Be precise. "My jewellery to my niece" is vague; "My engagement ring to my niece Emma" is clear. If you want to leave money to a charity or cause, name it fully and include its charity registration number if possible.

Step 3: Name Your Executors

An executor is the person (or people) who carries out your will after you die. Executors apply for probate, pay debts and tax, and distribute your estate. Choose people who are:

• Aged 18 or over
• Trustworthy and organised
• Willing to do the job (ask them first)
• Not necessarily beneficiaries, though they can be

Name at least one executor, preferably two or three in case one dies or cannot act. If you name a professional executor (solicitor, bank, or will-writing service), they may charge a fee.

Step 4: Appoint a Guardianship for Minor Children

If you have children under 18, name someone to look after them if both parents die. Discuss this with the person first—it is a serious responsibility. If you do not name a guardian, the court will decide.

Step 5: Consider Tax-Efficient Planning (if needed)

If your estate is large, inheritance tax (IHT) may be due. You do not need to sort this in your will, but you should be aware of it. For example, leaving money to a spouse or a registered charity can reduce IHT. If your estate is likely to exceed £325,000 (the current nil-rate band), ask a solicitor or tax adviser for guidance.

Step 6: Write Your Will

You can:

• Write it by hand (handwritten wills are valid)
• Type it on your computer and print it
• Use a will template from Citizens Advice or a reputable will-writing website

Your will should include:

• Your full name and address
• A statement that this is your will and cancels all previous wills
• The date you sign it
• Who gets what (your gifts and who inherits the rest)
• Who your executors are
• Any guardianship wishes for children
• Your signature

You do not need fancy language. Plain English is fine: "I leave my house to my daughter Sarah" works perfectly.

Step 7: Sign and Witness It Properly

This is the most important bit. Your signature must be witnessed correctly:

1. Sign your name at the end of the will in the presence of two witnesses.
2. Both witnesses must see you sign and must be in the room at the same time.
3. Each witness then signs the will in your presence and in the other witness's presence.
4. All signatures should be dated.
5. Witnesses must be aged 18 or over and cannot be beneficiaries, spouses of beneficiaries, or the executor (though this last rule is less strict).

If the signature or witnessing is faulty, your will may be invalid. Take this step seriously.

Where to Store Your Will

Once signed and witnessed, keep the original will safe:

• At home: In a fireproof box, safe, or locked drawer. Tell your executors where it is.
• With a bank: Some banks offer safe deposit boxes (small fee).
• Registered with the National Will Register: For a small fee, the register keeps a record of where your will is stored and helps executors find it.
• With a solicitor: If you use a solicitor for storage, ask about their fees.

Do not store it in a place nobody knows about. Your executors need to find it.

Problems to Avoid When Writing Your Own Will

Common DIY mistakes:

• Poor witnessing: A beneficiary signing as a witness invalidates their gift. This is the most common problem.
• Ambiguous wording: "My money to my nieces" might mean equal shares, or it might not be clear. Be specific.
• Forgetting to revoke old wills: If an old will still exists, there can be confusion. Say clearly: "This will revokes all previous wills."
• Missing digital assets: List usernames, passwords (or how to find them), and instructions for email, photos, and online accounts in a separate document or side letter.
• Not updating after life changes: Marriage, divorce, children, or major property changes should trigger a will update. A new will or a codicil (amendment) is needed.
• Unclear about tax or gifts with conditions: If you want to leave money only if someone meets a condition (e.g., "to my son only if he graduates"), poor wording can cause legal disputes.

If you are unsure about any of these, a 30-minute consultation with a solicitor might save your executors months of trouble later.

When You Should Get Professional Help

A DIY will is fine for straightforward estates. Consider a solicitor or will-writing service if:

• Your estate is complex (business, multiple properties, trusts).
• Your family situation is complicated (estranged spouse, multiple children from different relationships).
• You expect inheritance tax to be due (estate over £325,000).
• You want to write mirror wills with your spouse and want expert guidance.
• You want to set up trusts for children or dependants with special needs.
• You are unsure about the rules and want peace of mind.

Professional will writing costs £200–£500 on average, or more for complex estates. Some solicitors charge fixed fees; others charge by the hour. Always ask for a quote before committing.

Free and Low-Cost Alternatives

If cost is a barrier:

• Citizens Advice: Offers free will-writing guidance and templates.
• Legal helplines: Some councils and charities offer free or low-cost legal advice.
• Will-writing services: Online or local services often charge £50–£150, much less than solicitors.
• Age UK: Offers subsidised will-writing for older people.

Check that any will-writing service is registered with a professional body (such as the Society of Will Writers) and has complaints insurance.

After Your Will Is Written

Your will is not set in stone. If your circumstances change—new relationship, new child, major inheritance—you can update or change your will. A codicil (formal amendment) is cheaper than a new will, but if you make major changes, it is often clearer to write a fresh will and state it revokes all previous versions.

Tell your executors where your will is and give them a copy. They should also have a list of your assets, debts, digital accounts, and funeral wishes to make their job easier.

This is general information, not legal advice. Wills and inheritance rules vary — for anything binding, use a regulated solicitor or will-writing service.