DIY (do-it-yourself) wills: how to write your own will

Writing your own will is a good option if your wishes are straightforward, for example, if you want to leave everything to: 

• your spouse 

• your children, if your spouse dies before you.  

Some situations are more complex and it's better to get professional help from a solicitor or will-writing service. This includes if: 

• you have stepchildren, who aren't automatically entitled to inherit from you 

• you're not married or in a civil partnership, as your partner may have no legal right to your estate (your money, property and possessions) 

• you own property abroad 

• you're trying to reduce your Inheritance Tax bill  

• you have foreign investments or bank accounts  

• you own a business or farmland that you’re leaving to someone as part of your will 

• you have people who are financially dependent on you other than your immediate family 

• your will includes any wishes that might be misunderstood or are even slightly complicated 

• you have a diagnosis where your mental capacity might be doubted later, for example, dementia or Alzheimer’s disease  

• you want to set up a trust, for example, to provide for a child with a disability. 

Taking time to choose the right will-writing option for your circumstances will give you peace of mind that your wishes will be followed after you die.  Explore your options: 

• How do I write a will and how much does it cost? 

• What is a will-writing service? 

• Using a solicitor to write your will 

You can get a will template or will pack from stationery shops and online services. They usually cost up to £30. Some are free.

A good will template should cover all the key areas to make sure your wishes are carried out. Here’s what to look for: 

• A revocation clause: This cancels any previous wills you've made, so there’s no confusion about which one counts. 

• Your full legal details: This means your full name, current address, your date of birth or any former names you’ve used. 

• An executor and a backup: An executor is the person who carries out your wishes after you die. It’s worth naming a backup in case your first choice can't do it. 

• A guardian for your children: If you have children under 18, you can name someone you trust to care for them. 

• Specific gifts and cash gifts: You can leave items or amounts of money to named people. 

• A residue clause: This covers everything else you own that isn’t mentioned specifically, so nothing is left out. 

• What happens if a beneficiary dies before you: Your will should say what happens to a gift if the person you intended to leave it to has already died. 

• A signing block for two witnesses: Your will is not legally valid unless it’s signed by you and witnessed by two people at the same time. 

For your will to be legally valid in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, it must be signed in the presence of two adult witnesses. 

Each witness must not be a beneficiary (someone named in your will) and must not be married to or in a civil partnership with a beneficiary. If a witness is a beneficiary, they will lose their inheritance, though the will itself remains valid.

The rules are different in Scotland. You only need one witness, and they must not be a beneficiary.

Scotland also has “legal rights” rules, which mean your spouse, civil partner and children are automatically entitled to a share of your moveable estate (things like money, investments, cars and jewellery) even if you've left those things to someone else.

The rules for making a will differ depending on where you live: 

The main risk is that mistakes could make your will invalid and if that happens, the law decides who gets your estate, which may not be what you wanted at all. 

The people you care about could also be left dealing with legal bills and stress that could have been avoided.

Common mistakes when writing your own will include:

• not getting the will witnessed correctly by two independent adults at the same time 

• spelling names incorrectly

• not signing the document in the right way.

Be aware that if you use a will template, the company that supplies it is not responsible for any mistakes. If something goes wrong, you may not be able to make a complaint or claim money back.

If in doubt, consider using a solicitor or a will-writing service. You might save money upfront with a DIY will, but the cost of getting it wrong can be far greater. 

If you’re confident that writing your own will is right for you, follow these steps:

1. Use a template: Avoid writing your will from scratch.
2. Sign, date and witness it correctly: Both witnesses must be over 18 and present at the same time to witness you signing the will. Neither can be a beneficiary. You only need one witness in Scotland, who must be over 16.
3. Check your spelling carefully: A misspelled name can cause problems.
4. Be specific: For example, avoid writing "my wife." Instead, write your wife's full name and current address. If you have children under 18, name a guardian. Without this, the courts decide who looks after them if both parents die.
5. Destroy any old wills: Make sure your new will clearly states it revokes all previous wills. Your template should guide you on how to do this.
6. Tell your executor (the person responsible for carrying out your wishes after you die) where the will is kept: They'll need to find it when the time come. It’s important to choose your executor carefully. Our guide Who can be an executor of a will? can help.

Once you’ve made a will, it’s important to review it every couple of years and update it if your circumstances change. Review your will if:

• you get married, enter a civil partnership or get divorced (marriage automatically cancels any previous will)

• you separate from your partner (if unmarried)

• you have children or grandchildren

• you buy or sell a property

• you have a significant change in your finances

• your executor or a beneficiary dies

• your relationship with a beneficiary changes.

Find out more in our guide Do I need a will and when should I update it?

Unfortunately, scammers do target people when writing a will. Our guide Common will-related scams and what to watch out for explains how to protect yourself.