How to write a will in the UK — online, DIY or solicitor

List the people and charities you want to benefit (the beneficiaries), the specific items or sums (legacies), and who should get the rest (the residue). Almost every will dispute comes from a vague residue clause or a forgotten substitution.

Always name a backup ('substitution') in case a beneficiary dies before you — typically 'their children in equal shares per stirpes'. Without this, the gift may fall into residue or into intestacy.

Appoint guardians for any children under 18. Without a named guardian, the court decides — often with no idea of your wishes. A complete simple will also usually covers funeral wishes, pets and digital assets. Checklist answer: what should I include in a will?.

Before you answer any questionnaire, list assets (home, savings, investments, vehicles, valuables, overseas property) and debts (mortgage, loans, cards). Knowing the shape of the estate helps you decide residue shares and whether Inheritance Tax or a solicitor is relevant.

GOV.UK’s make-a-will guidance is the official starting point: www.gov.uk/make-will. For a simple England and Wales estate you can then [make a will online](swiftwill.co.uk*) with SwiftWill from around £35.

Executors apply for probate and administer the estate. Pick people who are organised, comfortable with paperwork and likely to outlive you — typically 1–4 people, often a mix of family and a professional. Name substitutes if your first choice cannot act. Fuller guide: what is an executor?.

Banks and solicitors can act as professional executors, but their fees come out of the estate and are usually charged at 1–5% of gross value, or by hourly rate. You can name them as a backup only.

Executors can also be beneficiaries — there's no conflict in UK law. Many simple wills name the surviving spouse as sole executor and main beneficiary.

Online document tools suit simple England and Wales estates without trusts or business assets. [SwiftWill](swiftwill.co.uk*) charges £35 once for a single will or £55 for [mirror wills](swiftwill.co.uk/mirror-wills*) (two matching wills for a couple), with instant PDF delivery, a signing card and free lifetime updates — you still print and re-sign after every change. SwiftWill is document-preparation software, not a law firm — compare [is an online will legal](swiftwill.co.uk/is-an-online-will-legal*).

Pros of a good online route: one-off fee, speed, guided questions. Cons vs a solicitor: no bespoke tax or trust drafting, and you must get witnessing right yourself. Prefer a one-off fee over subscriptions for updates.

For a market price comparison see [how much a will costs](swiftwill.co.uk/will-cost*) and our cost-of page. Solicitor-reviewed online platforms often start nearer £90; high-street solicitors typically £150–£500 for simple work.

DIY templates are cheapest but most error-prone. Charity campaigns (Free Wills Month, Will Aid) suit people who want a solicitor appointment for a suggested donation. Skip online-only tools if you need IHT planning, trusts, foreign property or blended-family protection — when to use a solicitor and [do you need a solicitor for a will](swiftwill.co.uk/do-i-need-a-solicitor-for-a-will*).

If you leave money to a UK-registered charity, write the full registered name, address and charity number so the gift cannot fail. You can leave a fixed sum or a share of residue — see leaving money to charity in a will. That route can also cut Inheritance Tax if 10% or more of the net estate goes to charity.

A Community Interest Company is not a charity. If you want to support [World Animal Rescue Network](worldanimalrescuenetwork.org) (Companies House 17298990), name the CIC in the will so executors can pay it — or [donate in your lifetime](worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/donate) — but do not count that gift toward the IHT charity exemption. WARN's [registration status](worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/about/registration-status) is the place to check the legal form.

Funeral wishes in a will are guidance for executors, not a binding contract. Pre-paid funeral plans are separate products — keep wishes clear and tell your family where the will is.

Print the will, gather two independent adults (18+) in one room, sign in front of both, then each witness signs in your presence and adds name, address and occupation. No one leaves until all three signatures are done. Electronic signatures and video witnessing are not valid for a standard England and Wales will.

Witnesses should not be beneficiaries or married to a beneficiary. Neighbours, colleagues and friends are ideal — they do not need to read the will. Step-by-step: [how to sign a will](swiftwill.co.uk/how-to-sign-a-will*) and [who can witness a will](swiftwill.co.uk/who-can-witness-a-will*).

Store the wet-ink original safely and tell your executors where it is. A will nobody can find is treated as revoked. You can also deposit a will with HMCTS — see GOV.UK make-a-will for storage options.