Farra is a death administration assistant for UK families. Get step-by-step guidance for registering a death, applying for probate, notifying banks, and managing bereavement admin. From essential documents to practical checklists, Farra simplifies estate paperwork and funeral-related tasks so you can focus on what matters.
Written document signed by you in presence of 2 independent witnesses (not beneficiaries). Name executors, list assets, name beneficiaries, appoint guardians if children under 18. DIY will packs (£10-£30) suitable for simple estates. Solicitor (£150-£500) essential if complex. Update after marriage (invalidates old will), divorce, or children. Store safely with solicitor, probate registry, or fireproof safe.
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Writing a will is one of the most important things you can do to protect your family and ensure your wishes are followed. This guide explains everything you need to know about writing a legally valid will in the UK—from what to include to avoiding common mistakes that could invalidate your will.
A will is a legal document that sets out your wishes for what happens to your money, property, and possessions after you die. Without one, the law decides who gets what—and it might not match what you would have wanted.
In the UK, if you die without a will (called dying intestate), your estate is distributed according to fixed intestacy rules set by the government. See our complete guide on what happens if there's no will for detailed intestacy rules:
A will also lets you appoint guardians for children under 18 and choose executors—the people who'll carry out your wishes.
For a will to be legally valid in England and Wales, it must meet three core requirements under the Wills Act 1837 as outlined by GOV.UK:
Additional legal points:
Scotland and Northern Ireland have slightly different rules, though the core principles are similar.
A comprehensive will should cover the following elements:
Name the people who will administer your estate. You can appoint up to 4 executors, and it's wise to name substitutes in case your first choice can't act. Read our detailed guide on choosing an executor for more advice.
Name who will look after your children if you die, as explained in MoneyHelper's will-making guide. Discuss this with the people you choose first—it's a huge responsibility.
Who gets what. You can leave:
You can include wishes about your funeral (burial vs cremation, music, type of service), though these aren't legally binding.
Your executors are the people responsible for administering your estate after you die. They'll:
Learn more about executor responsibilities and whether executors can be beneficiaries.
Choose executors who are:
You can appoint up to 4 executors, and many people choose a mix of family members and professionals (like a solicitor). Professional executors charge fees, usually 3-5% of the estate value.
If you have children under 18, your will should name guardians who will care for them if you (and the other parent) die.
Important: If you're separated or divorced, the other parent usually gets parental responsibility automatically. Guardians only step in if both parents die or the other parent doesn't have parental responsibility.
When choosing guardians:
The big question: should you write your own will or use a solicitor?
You can safely write your own will if your situation is straightforward, as explained by Which?'s will-writing guide:
DIY will costs: £10-30 for online templates or will packs.
Use a solicitor if you:
Solicitor will costs:
Warning: DIY wills that don't meet legal requirements can be invalid or challenged. If your will is rejected, your estate will be distributed under intestacy rules— exactly what you tried to avoid. For anything beyond a simple estate, professional advice is worth the cost.
If you're writing your own will, follow these steps:
Write down everything you own:
Make a list of who you want to benefit. Include full names to avoid confusion.
For your "residuary estate" (everything left after specific gifts), you can split it:
As covered above—choose carefully and ask their permission first.
You can:
Online services are usually the best DIY option—they guide you through the process and reduce the risk of errors.
This is where many DIY wills go wrong. Follow these rules exactly:
Witnesses must be:
Critical: If a beneficiary (or their spouse) witnesses your will, they lose their inheritance from that will. The rest of the will remains valid, but that person gets nothing.
Witnesses don't need to read your will—they're just confirming they saw you sign it.
These errors can make your will invalid or cause it to be challenged:
The most common mistake. All three people (you and both witnesses) must be in the same room when each person signs.
Your friend can't witness your will if you're leaving them £10,000—they'll lose that gift.
Never cross out parts of your will or write amendments on it. If you need to make changes, either:
Marriage automatically revokes any previous wills (unless the will was written in contemplation of that marriage), as confirmed by GOV.UK. Write a new will when you get married.
Never staple or paperclip anything to your will. If a staple is removed, it raises suspicion that a page was removed, and your will could be challenged.
Be specific:
What happens if a beneficiary dies before you? Include a backup plan:
"I leave £20,000 to my sister Jane. If she does not survive me, I leave this sum to her children in equal shares."
Your will is useless if no one can find it.
Critical: Tell your executors where your will is stored. Consider giving them a copy (marked "COPY - original held at [location]") so they know it exists.
Review your will every 5 years as standard.
Update your will immediately after these life events:
To update a will, you can either write a new will (which revokes all previous wills) or add a codicil (amendment). A new will is usually simpler and clearer.
Writing a will is just the first step. When someone dies, their executors must:
This process is complex, involves multiple government forms from HMRC (IHT400 has 17 pages and 8 supplementary schedules), and takes an average of 9-12 months to complete.
If you're dealing with someone's estate after they've died, Farra can help. We guide you through probate step-by-step, generate the forms you need, and provide letter templates for notifying organisations.
Complete guide to coroner's inquests, who attends, the hearing process, giving evidence, and possible outcomes.
All possible coroner conclusions explained, from natural causes to unlawful killing, and what each verdict means for the family.
How to get a free will in the UK. Free Wills Month, charity schemes, online will services, and what free will services include and exclude.
How to register an LPA with the Office of the Public Guardian. Forms, fees, timescales, and what to do if you need to use an LPA urgently.
Who can legally witness a will in the UK. The rules about beneficiaries witnessing, remote witnessing, and what happens if the witnessing was invalid.
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