Single Will

Yes. There is no legal requirement for a will to be drafted by a solicitor. A will is valid in England and Wales provided it is in writing, signed by the testator (you), and witnessed by two independent adults who are present at the same time. Our documents are structured to meet every requirement of the Wills Act 1837.

Not for most estates. If your situation is straightforward — you want to leave assets to family members, appoint guardians, and name executors — a solicitor is not necessary. Our complexity detection system will flag situations that genuinely do need specialist advice, such as overseas assets, trusts, or business property relief.

Three things: it must be in writing, signed by you in the presence of two witnesses, and those witnesses must also sign the document. Witnesses must be over 18 and must not be beneficiaries of the will (or married to beneficiaries). Our signing instructions cover all of this clearly.

Absolutely. You can create a new will at any time, which automatically revokes any previous versions. We recommend reviewing your will after major life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or a significant change in assets. You can come back and create an updated will whenever you need to.

If you die intestate (without a valid will), the rules of intestacy decide who inherits your estate. This may not match your wishes — for example, unmarried partners receive nothing under intestacy rules regardless of how long you have been together. Making a will is the only way to ensure your assets go to the people you choose.

Your executor is responsible for carrying out the instructions in your will. Most people choose a trusted family member, close friend, or a combination of two people. You can also name a professional executor such as a solicitor, though they will typically charge fees. We recommend naming at least one backup executor in case your first choice is unable to act.

Most pensions are not part of your estate and are distributed according to a separate nomination form held by your pension provider. However, it is worth mentioning your pension wishes in your will for clarity. We include guidance on this within the questionnaire so your executors know where to look.

You must sign your will in the presence of two independent witnesses who are both present at the same time. The witnesses must then sign the document themselves. Witnesses cannot be beneficiaries of the will or the spouse or civil partner of a beneficiary. Our PDF includes step-by-step signing instructions and a dedicated signing page.

Our wills are structured for the law in England and Wales. Scotland has separate succession law with different requirements, and Northern Ireland has its own rules as well. If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, we recommend using a service that specifically covers the law in your jurisdiction.

Our system includes built-in complexity detection. If your estate involves overseas property, business assets, agricultural land, trusts, or other complicating factors, we will let you know before you pay and recommend you speak to a specialist solicitor. We would rather be honest than generate a document that does not fully protect you.