Can You Write Your Own Will in the UK? (2026)

The 5 legal requirements for a valid will in England and Wales

You must be 18 or over

You must be at least 18 years old when you make the will (exceptions apply for members of the armed forces on active service, who can make a privileged will at any age).

You must have mental capacity

You must understand what a will is, what property you own, who might expect to benefit from your estate, and the effect of the will — the test from Banks v Goodfellow [1870]. If there is any doubt about capacity, get a medical assessment first.

The will must be in writing

Typed or handwritten — either works. Voice recordings, video messages, and digital files are not valid wills in England and Wales.

You must sign it in front of two witnesses

Sign (or acknowledge your existing signature) in the presence of two independent adult witnesses who are both present at the same time. Both witnesses must then sign in your presence.

Witnesses must be independent

The witnesses must not be beneficiaries (or the spouse/civil partner of a beneficiary). If a beneficiary witnesses, the will is still valid — but that beneficiary's gift is void.

A will that meets all five requirements is just as valid in the eyes of the law whether it was written on a blank piece of paper or drafted by a Queen's Counsel. There is no legal requirement for a will to be witnessed by a solicitor, notarised, or registered anywhere (though registration with the National Will Register is a sensible precaution).

The 5 mistakes that invalidate DIY wills

Wrong witnesses

A beneficiary or the spouse/civil partner of a beneficiary cannot witness. Many people choose family members — check first whether they are named in the will.

Witnesses not present simultaneously

Both witnesses must be physically present when you sign, and you must be present when they sign. Witnesses signing separately, even within minutes of each other, can invalidate the will.

Alterations made after signing

Any change to a will after it has been executed (signed and witnessed) is presumed to have been made after execution and is void — unless separately signed and witnessed. Crossing something out or writing in the margins is dangerous. Make a new will or a properly executed codicil.

Not revoking previous wills

A new will should expressly revoke all previous wills and codicils: 'I revoke all former wills and testamentary dispositions previously made by me.' Without this clause, old and new wills may co-exist and conflict. Marriage also automatically revokes a will.

Ambiguous gift descriptions

Vague language causes disputes. 'I leave my savings to my children equally' seems clear but can cause problems if accounts open and close, or if the definition of 'children' is unclear (stepchildren? illegitimate children?). Use full legal names, specific accounts, and clear percentages.

DIY will kit vs writing from scratch

You have two options for a DIY will:

Write from a blank page. Legally valid if correctly executed. Requires you to know all the necessary clauses (revocation of previous wills, appointment of executor, residuary clause, etc.). Easy to miss something important.
Use a DIY will kit template. A template pre-drafts all the required clauses to Wills Act 1837 standard. You fill in your specific details — names, gifts, executor appointments. The guidance notes explain each section. Reduces the risk of drafting errors significantly while costing a fraction of solicitor fees.

WillSafe UK's Single Will Kit (£39.99) is an instant PDF and Word download covering all required clauses for England and Wales, written at a reading age of 10–12. You complete it, print it, sign it in front of two witnesses, and it is immediately legally valid.

When you genuinely need a solicitor

A DIY will is appropriate for most people with a straightforward estate. The situations where a solicitor genuinely earns their fee:

Estate above the IHT nil-rate band (£325,000) — trust structures and IHT planning require legal advice.
Blended family / second marriage — protecting children from a previous relationship against the rights of a new spouse requires careful drafting.
Beneficiary with a disability receiving means-tested benefits — a direct legacy can disqualify them; a discretionary trust is often needed.
Business assets or overseas property — additional legal regimes apply.
Realistic risk of challenge — estranged family members or dependants who might claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.

For more detail, see our guide: DIY will vs solicitor — which is right for you?

The cost comparison

Option	Typical cost	Legal validity	Best for
WillSafe UK Single Will Kit	£39.99	Valid if correctly executed	Straightforward estates
gov.uk free template	Free	Valid if correctly executed	Very simple, no children
Online guided service (e.g. Co-op)	≈£150–£200	Valid if correctly executed	Those wanting some guidance
High-street solicitor	£150–£400+	Valid if correctly executed	Complex estates, IHT planning

For a full breakdown, see our guide: how much does a will cost UK.

Frequently asked questions

Is a self-written will legal in the UK?

Yes, in England and Wales. A will written without a solicitor is just as legally valid as one drafted by a professional, provided it meets the requirements of the Wills Act 1837: in writing, signed by the testator, and witnessed by two independent adults who both sign in the testator's presence. Will-writing is not a reserved legal activity under the Legal Services Act 2007 — anyone can do it.

Can a handwritten will be valid in England and Wales?

Yes. A handwritten (holograph) will is legally valid in England and Wales provided it is signed and witnessed correctly. However, handwritten wills are more prone to ambiguity, crossed-out sections, and unintentional alterations that can invalidate them or lead to disputes. A typed will with clear language is preferable. Note: Scotland allows unwitnessed holograph wills; England and Wales do not — you still need two witnesses.

Who can witness a will in England and Wales?

Any two independent adults aged 18 or over who are not: a beneficiary named in the will, the spouse or civil partner of a beneficiary, or blind. The witnesses must both be physically present when you sign, and they must sign in your presence. They do not need to know the contents of the will. Using a beneficiary as a witness does not invalidate the will — but it does void that beneficiary's gift entirely under s.15 Wills Act 1837.

Can I write my own will without a solicitor if I own property?

Yes — property ownership does not require a solicitor-drafted will. A valid DIY will can leave property to whoever you choose. However, the complexity increases if: the property is mortgaged (the will must address the debt), you own it as tenants in common (your share needs to be specified), you want to set up a property trust for inheritance tax planning, or there are competing claims (blended family, estranged relatives). For straightforward cases, a DIY template works well. For complex property situations, a solicitor adds value.

What is the difference between a DIY will kit and writing a will from scratch?

A DIY will kit (like WillSafe UK's Single Will Kit) provides a pre-drafted template that meets all the legal requirements of the Wills Act 1837, with guidance notes explaining each section. You fill in the specific details — names, addresses, gifts, executors. Writing a will entirely from scratch (a blank page) works but requires more legal knowledge to ensure all required clauses are included and phrasing is unambiguous. A template reduces the risk of errors while keeping the cost low.

When do you actually need a solicitor for a will?

A DIY will is appropriate for most straightforward estates. A solicitor adds real value when: your estate exceeds the inheritance tax nil-rate band (£325,000) and you need tax planning; you are in a second marriage or blended family with children from different relationships; a beneficiary has a disability and receives means-tested benefits (a trust may be needed); you have business assets, overseas property, or complex investments; or there is a realistic risk of a will contest (estranged family, dependants who could claim under the Inheritance Act 1975).