Wills
A Will that says exactly what you mean.
Decide who inherits, who looks after things and who would care for your children. On your own or with your partner, we shape your Will around your life and make sure it is done properly.
Where are you in life?
Pick whatever sounds most like you and we will take it from there. Or simply tell us in your own words.
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Starting a family
Name guardians for your children and decide how their inheritance is looked after.
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Buying a home together
Make sure your partner is protected, especially if you are not married.
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Getting married
Marriage or civil partnership usually cancels an existing Will in England and Wales.
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A blended family
Look after a partner and children from different relationships fairly.
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On your own
Choose the people and causes that matter to you, rather than the law choosing for you.
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Things have changed
Separation, a new grandchild or a move. Bring an older Will up to date.
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What your Will can do
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01
Choose your executors
The people who will gather everything together and carry out your wishes.
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02
Name guardians
Who would bring up any children under 18 if you could not.
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03
Leave gifts
Money, possessions or a share of what you own, to people or charities.
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Decide who inherits the rest
And what happens if someone you name dies before you.
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Record funeral wishes
So the people you leave behind know what you would have wanted.
Good to know
We make sure it is signed properly
A Will only counts in England and Wales if it is signed and witnessed in the right way. It is where a lot of homemade Wills go wrong, so we take you through it with a simple checklist. In short:
- You sign in front of two witnesses who are both present at the same time.
- Each witness then signs in front of you.
- A witness must not be someone who benefits from your Will, or their husband, wife or civil partner. If they are, the gift to them can fail.
- Keep the signed original safe, and do not staple or attach anything to it.
What makes a Will valid in England and Wales?
For a Will to be valid in England and Wales:
- it must be in writing;
- you must be 18 or over, understand what you are doing, and be acting freely;
- you must sign it (or acknowledge your signature) in front of two witnesses who are both present at the same time;
- each witness must then sign it in your presence.
We send clear signing instructions with your documents.
This is general information about the law in England and Wales, not advice about your circumstances.
Read the full answerWho can witness my Will?
Choose two independent adults who can see you sign. A person who benefits from your Will, or their husband, wife or civil partner, should not be a witness. If they are, the Will can still be valid, but the gift to them is likely to fail.
This is general information about the law in England and Wales, not advice about your circumstances.
Read the full answerWhat happens if I die without a Will?
Without a valid Will, your estate is shared out under fixed rules called the intestacy rules. They only look at certain family relationships. Unmarried partners do not automatically inherit, stepchildren do not inherit unless legally adopted, and friends and charities receive nothing. A Will lets you decide who inherits, who deals with your estate and who would look after children under 18.
This is general information about the law in England and Wales, not advice about your circumstances.
Read the full answerDoes marriage or divorce affect my Will?
Getting married or forming a civil partnership usually cancels an existing Will, unless it was made with that marriage in mind. Divorce or dissolution does not cancel a Will, but your former spouse or civil partner is normally treated as if they had died before you for many purposes. Review your Will after any big life event.
This is general information about the law in England and Wales, not advice about your circumstances.
Read the full answerCan my partner and I make our Wills together?
Couples often make matching Wills (sometimes called mirror Wills): two separate Wills, one each, usually leaving everything to each other and then to the same people. Each of you signs your own Will, and either of you can change yours later. Tell us at the start that it is for you and your partner and we will onboard you together.
This is general information about the law in England and Wales, not advice about your circumstances.
Read the full answerHow do I choose executors?
Executors deal with your estate after you die: gathering what you own, paying debts and passing things on as your Will says. Choose people you trust who are organised and likely to be around. Many people choose one to four executors, and name a reserve in case someone cannot act. An executor can also benefit from your Will.
This is general information about the law in England and Wales, not advice about your circumstances.
Read the full answerFurther reading
All guidesHow to sign your Will correctly
A Will only works if it is signed and witnessed properly. Here is how to get it right first time.
What happens if you die without a Will?
Without a Will, the law decides who inherits. Here is what that can mean for the people closest to you.
Choosing your executors
Your executors carry out your wishes. Here is what the role involves and how to choose well.
Ready when you are.
It takes a couple of minutes to get started, and from there, someone from our team is with you all the way.
