You can write a will for free in the UK. A will you write yourself is legally valid in England and Wales as long as you are 18 or over, of sound mind, and sign it in front of two adult witnesses who also sign it in your presence. If you would prefer professional help without paying, Free Wills Month (for over-55s, every March and October), the National Free Wills Network and several charity will services offer simple wills at no charge, while Will Aid in November asks for a donation instead of a fee.
This guide covers the free routes, how to make a DIY will legally valid, and when it is worth paying a solicitor. For a comparison of paid options, see our will writing costs guide.
Free and low-cost ways to make a will
Each route suits different situations. Most free schemes cover simple wills only.
| Route | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| DIY will | Free or a cheap kit | Very simple estates |
| Free Wills Month | Free (donation optional) | Over-55s, March and October |
| National Free Wills Network | Free via a charity | Any adult, simple wills |
| Charity online wills | Free | Simple wills written online |
| Will Aid | Suggested charity donation | Solicitor-written will in November |
Charities fund these schemes in the hope you will leave them a gift, but you are not obliged to. Union membership, some employers and some home insurance legal cover also include free will writing, so check what you already have.
Free Wills Month and Will Aid
Free Wills Month runs every March and October. Participating solicitors in selected areas write or update a simple will free for people aged 55 and over; for couples making mirror wills, only one partner needs to meet the age limit. Appointments are limited and go quickly, so book early through the Free Wills Month website.
Will Aid runs every November. Participating solicitors waive their fee for a basic will and ask you to make a donation to the Will Aid charities instead. The suggested amount is set each year, so check willaid.org.uk. It is not free, but it is usually much cheaper than a standard solicitor fee and supports charity.
How to make a DIY will legally valid
In England and Wales a will is valid if:
- You are 18 or over and make it voluntarily, with the mental capacity to understand what you are doing
- It is in writing
- You sign it in the presence of two witnesses, both over 18, who are present at the same time
- Both witnesses then sign it in your presence
- Neither witness, nor a witness's husband, wife or civil partner, is a beneficiary. If they are, the will is still valid but they lose their gift
What to include
Even a simple will should cover the basics clearly, using full names and unambiguous wording.
- A statement revoking all previous wills and codicils
- One or more executors to deal with your estate, plus a backup
- Who gets your property, savings and possessions, including what happens if a beneficiary dies before you
- A guardian for any children under 18
- Who should receive the residue: everything left after specific gifts, debts and costs
- Any funeral wishes (these are not binding, but help your family)
- Remember that pensions are usually paid according to an expression of wish form held by your pension provider, not your will, so update that separately
Mistakes that make DIY wills fail
Most problems with homemade wills come from a handful of avoidable errors.
- Letting a beneficiary or their spouse witness the will
- Making handwritten changes after signing; the only way to change a signed will is a properly witnessed codicil or a new will
- Forgetting that marriage or civil partnership cancels an existing will in England and Wales, unless it was made in contemplation of that marriage
- Leaving out the residue, so part of the estate passes under intestacy rules anyway
- Not updating it after divorce, a new child, buying a home or a death in the family
- Storing it where nobody can find it. You can store your will with the Probate Service for a one-off fee of £24, or with a solicitor or bank
When paying for a solicitor is worth it
A free or DIY will is fine for many people, but professional advice is worth paying for if:
- Your estate may be liable for inheritance tax, which applies above the £325,000 nil-rate band, plus a residence nil-rate band of up to £175,000 if your home goes to direct descendants. See how inheritance tax works
- You have a blended family, children from previous relationships or want to protect assets for children if your spouse remarries
- You own a business, farm or property abroad
- You want to set up a trust or provide for a disabled beneficiary
- You think someone may challenge the will
Scotland and Northern Ireland
The rules differ outside England and Wales. In Scotland, a will needs only one witness, you should sign every page, and you can make a valid will from age 12. Marriage does not automatically cancel a will in Scotland, and children and spouses have legal rights to part of the estate whatever the will says. Northern Ireland's rules are similar to England and Wales. If you live in Scotland, use a scheme or template designed for Scots law.
What happens if you do not make a will
If you die without a will in England or Wales, intestacy rules decide who inherits. A surviving spouse or civil partner with children gets personal possessions, the first £322,000 and half of the rest, with the remainder going to the children. Unmarried partners get nothing automatically, however long you have lived together, and would have to go to court. A will is the only way to make sure the people you choose are provided for.
A will is also a good moment to review your wider finances. Use our net worth calculator to list what you own and owe, and consider a lasting power of attorney at the same time.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about writing a will for free in the UK.
Is a handwritten will legal in the UK?
Who can write me a free will?
Does a will need to be registered?
Does getting married cancel a will?
When should I update my will?
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