How to Make a Will Online in England & Wales — Step by Step

You can make a legally valid will online in England and Wales in under an hour, from home, without a solicitor — provided you follow the correct signing and witnessing rules. For step-by-step guidance on making a will, see GOV.UK. This step-by-step guide covers what you need to prepare, how to complete the process correctly, and the common mistakes that can make a will invalid.

*This guide covers wills in England and Wales. Scottish law differs in some key areas.*

Before You Start: Are You Eligible for an Online Will?

Online will services are designed for people with straightforward circumstances. You're a good fit if:

• You want to leave your estate to a spouse, partner, children, or a combination
• Your assets are primarily in England or Wales
• You don't have complex trust arrangements or significant Inheritance Tax concerns
• You don't own property abroad or run a business you want to pass on

If any of those exceptions apply, a solicitor is likely the better route. If you are making a will as a couple, mirror wills for couples may be an efficient option. For everyone else — read on.

What You'll Need Before You Begin

Getting these details together in advance makes the process much smoother:

• Your full legal name and address
• Details of your assets — property, savings accounts, investments, pension (note: pensions usually sit outside a will), vehicles, valuables
• Your executor(s) — the person or people who will carry out your wishes. Choose trusted individuals, ideally two, and include alternates
• Your beneficiaries — who you want to inherit, and what percentage or specific items they receive
• Guardian details — if you have children under 18, the name of who you'd like to care for them
• Two witnesses — people who will be present when you sign. They must be adults and cannot be beneficiaries or married to a beneficiary

Step 1: Choose Your Online Will Service

Not all services are equal. Look for:

• Clearly stated coverage of England and Wales
• Wills checked or reviewed by a qualified solicitor or will specialist
• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
• Secure document storage or the option to download and store yourself
• Clear guidance on signing and witnessing

A reputable online service automates the same process solicitors follow when drafting wills across England and Wales — producing a document that is just as legally valid at a substantially lower cost. Find out more about online will vs solicitor options.

Step 2: Answer Questions About Your Circumstances

Once you start, the service will guide you through a series of straightforward questions covering:

• Your personal details
• Whether you want a single or mirror will (for couples)
• Your assets and how you'd like them distributed
• Who your executor(s) will be
• Whether you have children and who should care for them
• Any specific gifts — items or cash amounts to particular people
• Residuary estate — what happens to everything left after specific gifts are distributed
• Optional funeral wishes

You can get started, save where you've got to, take breaks, and come back to it when you like — you don't need to complete it in one sitting.

Step 3: Review Your Will Carefully

Before finalising, read through the complete document. Check:

• All names are spelled correctly and match legal documents
• Beneficiary shares add up correctly
• Your executor(s) are named accurately
• Any specific gifts are clearly described
• The residuary clause covers everything remaining

A small error at this stage can cause significant problems later. Take your time.

Step 4: Sign Your Will Correctly

This is the most important step — and where many DIY wills go wrong.

For your will to be legally valid in England and Wales, you must sign at the end of the document, with two independent witnesses present together at the same time. Both witnesses must then sign in your presence.

Key rules:

• You must be 18 or over
• You must be of sound mind — understanding what you're signing and its implications
• Your will must be made voluntarily, without pressure from anyone
• Witnesses must be 18 or over and not beneficiaries, or married to a beneficiary
• All three of you must be in the same room when signing

The only way your will won't be voided by a subsequent marriage or civil partnership is if you include specific terminology in the will referencing your upcoming wedding or civil partnership. Otherwise, remember to update your will after any major life event.

Step 5: Store Your Will Safely

A will that can't be found when needed is almost as problematic as not having one. Options include:

• At home — in a fireproof safe or secure location. Tell your executor where it is
• With your solicitor or will service — many offer storage for a small annual fee
• National Will Register — you can register the location of your will (not the contents) so it can be found after your death
• With your bank — some banks offer will storage services

Tell at least one trusted person — your executor — where your will is kept and how to access it.

Step 6: Review and Update When Your Life Changes

A will isn't a one-time task. You should check your will every three to five years and after any major life event — marriage, divorce, children, or significant changes in assets.

Key triggers to update your will:

• Getting married or entering a civil partnership (this automatically revokes your existing will)
• Having children or grandchildren
• Divorce or separation
• Death of a beneficiary or executor
• Significant change in assets
• Moving abroad or acquiring overseas property

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Choosing a beneficiary as a witness — This doesn't invalidate the will, but the beneficiary loses their right to inherit. Choose independent witnesses.
• Signing without both witnesses present — All three signatures must happen in the same room, at the same time. Separate signing invalidates the will.
• Forgetting to update after marriage — Getting married automatically voids any existing will in England and Wales. Many people don't realise this until it's too late.
• Leaving your will unfound — Always tell your executor where your will is stored. Consider registering it with the National Will Register.
• Not including a residuary clause — Missing a residuary clause can leave part of your estate unallocated, creating complications and potential disputes for your family.

How Long Does It Take?

For most people with straightforward circumstances, the process looks like this:

Ready to Get Started?

Making a will is one of the most important things you can do for your family — and it doesn't need to be complicated or expensive. For most people in England and Wales, an online will is the fastest, most affordable way to get it done properly. Find out how much does a will cost or learn what happens if you die without a will.

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*This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. This guide covers wills in England and Wales. Scottish law differs in some key areas. For complex estates, we recommend seeking independent legal guidance.*

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