What should I include in a will in the UK?
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In short: List your main assets and debts, who inherits (beneficiaries), guardians for children under 18, executors, any charity gifts, and who gets the residue. Then [make a will](swiftwill.co.uk*) in writing and sign it with two witnesses.
Last reviewed:
Reviewed by Kaiser Khan
Before you draft, value your estate: property (UK or abroad), savings, investments, vehicles, valuables, and debts such as mortgages or loans. Decide who should benefit, whether anyone gets specific gifts, where the residue goes, and what happens if a beneficiary dies before you (substitution clauses).
Also decide who should look after children under 18, who your executors are, any funeral wishes, and gifts to charity (use the charity’s registered number). GOV.UK’s make-a-will guidance covers these essentials: www.gov.uk/make-will
For a straightforward England and Wales estate, guided [online will](swiftwill.co.uk*) questionnaires (SwiftWill from around £35, or £55 for [mirror wills](swiftwill.co.uk/mirror-wills*)) walk through these choices, then you print and [sign the will](swiftwill.co.uk/how-to-sign-a-will*) with two independent adult witnesses.
Primary source: gov.uk/make-will
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