How to make a will in the UK — writing a will step by step
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In short. List who gets what, name executors and guardians, pick a drafting route (make a will online from around £35, DIY, solicitor or free wills campaign), then sign in front of two adult witnesses who aren't beneficiaries.
How to make a will in the UK under s9 of the Wills Act 1837: it must be in writing, signed by you in the joint presence of two adult witnesses, and signed by them in your presence. Writing a will is flexible beyond that — but small drafting and witnessing mistakes cause most failed home-made wills. For simple England and Wales estates, an [online will UK](swiftwill.co.uk*) document from around £35 is often the quickest route. Step-by-step on SwiftWill: [how to make a will](swiftwill.co.uk/how-to-make-a-will*).
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·Estimated time: 1 hour·Cost: £0–£500 (online from around £35; solicitor mirror wills up to £500; charity free wills in campaign months)What you'll need
- List of assets and approximate values
- Names and addresses of beneficiaries and executors
- Two adult witnesses (not beneficiaries or their spouses)
The steps
- 01
List your assets, debts and beneficiaries
Write down the rough value of your home, savings, pensions (paid via beneficiary nomination, not the will), investments, vehicles and personal items. Then list who you want to leave specific items or sums to, and who gets the residue (everything else).
- 02
Choose executors and (if needed) guardians
Pick 1–4 executors who are organised, likely to outlive you and willing to take on the role. If any children are under 18, name a guardian — without one, the court decides who looks after them. Guided [online will](swiftwill.co.uk*) questionnaires include both clauses for simple England and Wales estates.
- 03
Pick a drafting route
For a simple England and Wales estate, a will writing service online is often the quickest route — [make a will online](swiftwill.co.uk*) with SwiftWill (£35 single / £55 mirror wills, instant PDF, free lifetime updates, IPW member) or solicitor-reviewed platforms from around £90. Other options: DIY template (cheapest, riskiest), a high-street solicitor (£150–£500 for mirror wills), or charity [free wills](swiftwill.co.uk/compare/swiftwill-vs-freewills*) campaigns such as Free Wills Month or Will Aid. Use a solicitor for trusts, foreign or business assets, or blended-family disputes. If you are changing your name, finish an [unenrolled deed poll](instantdeedpoll.co.uk*) first so the will matches your ID. How much does a will cost UK in full: [will cost](swiftwill.co.uk/will-cost*).
- 04
Draft and check the wording
Use the drafter's template or have the solicitor draft from your instructions. Check it includes substitution clauses (what happens if a beneficiary dies first), an attestation clause for witnessing, and clear residue wording.
- 05
Sign in front of two qualifying witnesses
Sign in ink in the joint presence of two adults who are not beneficiaries (or married to a beneficiary). Both witnesses then sign in your presence, adding their full name, address and occupation. No one can leave the room until all three signatures are complete.
- 06
Store the original safely and tell your executors
Keep the signed original with your solicitor (often free if they drafted it), in a fireproof home safe, or via the National Will Register for £25. Tell your executors where to find it — a will nobody can locate is no use.
Common pitfalls
- A beneficiary witnessing the will — under s15 Wills Act 1837 their gift fails, even though the rest of the will is valid
- Forgetting that marriage automatically revokes the will in England and Wales unless made 'in contemplation of' that marriage
- Treating pension death benefits or life policies as estate assets — they pass under separate beneficiary nominations, not the will
- Storing the only copy where executors can't find it — a missing original is treated as revoked
FAQ
- Do I need a solicitor?
- Not for a simple estate (one home, one or two beneficiaries, no business). A solicitor is recommended where the estate is over the IHT threshold, includes a business or foreign property, or covers a blended family — and where you want professional-indemnity cover on drafting errors.
- Can I write my will myself for free?
- Yes — free wills can be a handwritten or template will if it meets the s9 signing rules, or a charity campaign appointment. The risk is wording errors. A guided [make a will online](swiftwill.co.uk*) questionnaire from around £35 is usually safer than a blank sheet.
- Does my will need to be registered?
- There is no compulsory register. The National Will Register (Certainty) is the main private register at £25 and lets executors find a will when they need it. Many solicitors register clients' wills as standard.
- How do I make a will in the UK without a solicitor?
- List assets and beneficiaries, pick a drafting route, then print and sign with two independent adult witnesses. [How to make a will](swiftwill.co.uk/how-to-make-a-will*) covers the online path for simple England and Wales estates. Full guide: how to make a will in the UK.