# Do I need a will in the UK? > Quick answer · Last updated 22 July 2026 Canonical HTML: https://moneyguide.org.uk/answers/do-i-need-a-will-uk/ Markdown mirror: https://moneyguide.org.uk/answers/do-i-need-a-will-uk.md ## In short Most UK adults benefit from one — but it becomes urgent if you have children under 18, own a home, are unmarried but in a long-term relationship, run a business, or want to leave anything to charity. Without a will, the intestacy rules decide who inherits, and unmarried partners get nothing. Intestacy in England and Wales gives the spouse / civil partner the personal possessions, a £322,000 statutory legacy and half of any residue, with children sharing the other half. Unmarried partners inherit nothing under intestacy — even after decades together. Parents of children under 18 should make a will primarily to appoint guardians under s5 Children Act 1989. Without that appointment, the court decides — usually after a contested application no grieving child needs. Even simple estates benefit from a will to name executors you trust, leave specific gifts (the house, an heirloom, a charity legacy), and reduce the risk and cost of a contested probate. Costs range from a stationer's template (under £20), to an [online will](https://swiftwill.co.uk/) from around £35 for a simple England and Wales estate, up to a solicitor-drafted single will at £150–£300 or couple's mirror wills at £200–£500. Jurisdiction note: intestacy rules differ across the UK. England & Wales follow the Administration of Estates Act 1925 (statutory legacy £322,000 from July 2023); Scotland applies 'prior rights' for the spouse and 'legal rights' for spouse and children under the Succession (Scotland) Act 1964; Northern Ireland follows the Administration of Estates Act (NI) 1955. ## Related - [How to write a will (UK)](https://moneyguide.org.uk/family-life/how-to-write-a-will-uk/) - [Wills & intestacy](https://moneyguide.org.uk/family-life/wills-and-intestacy/) - [Free and charity will schemes](https://moneyguide.org.uk/family-life/free-and-charity-will-schemes-uk/) - [Appointing guardians in your will](https://moneyguide.org.uk/family-life/appointing-guardians-in-your-will/) ## Primary source gov.uk/make-will --- Independent UK money guidance from [Money Guide](https://moneyguide.org.uk). Information only — not regulated financial advice.