Is a DIY Will Kit Actually Legal? The Honest Answer.

“But is it actually legal?” — it is the first question most people ask. The honest answer is: yes, for most people, a DIY will is entirely valid. But there are situations where you genuinely should use a solicitor. Here is the actual law, the cases where DIY works perfectly, and the cases where it does not.

The law: what it actually says

In England and Wales, will-writing is governed by the Wills Act 1837. Section 9 of that Act sets out the formal requirements for a valid will:

That is the complete list. There is no requirement for a solicitor, a notary, a professional drafter, or any other authorised person. Will-writing is not a reserved legal activity under the Legal Services Act 2007 — which means anyone can do it.

When a DIY will is absolutely the right choice

A DIY will kit works well when you have:

• ✓A straightforward estate — home, savings, pension, personal belongings
• ✓Clear wishes about who inherits your estate
• ✓A clear choice of executor (the person who carries out your will)
• ✓Beneficiaries who are adults and UK-resident
• ✓No overseas property or assets
• ✓No significant business interests requiring tax structuring
• ✓No complex family situation (second marriage, blended family, potential disputes)

This describes the majority of adults in the UK. For these people, a well-drafted template with the correct signing and witnessing process produces a legally valid will that will be followed.

When you should use a solicitor

A solicitor is genuinely worth the cost when:

• →You have property outside England and Wales — different countries have different rules
• →You need a trust — for minor children, disabled beneficiaries, or inheritance tax planning
• →You have a business that needs succession planning
• →Your estate is likely to exceed the nil-rate band (£325,000, or £500,000 if leaving to direct descendants) and you want active IHT planning
• →You have a blended family where disputes are possible
• →A beneficiary may lack mental capacity and needs a statutory will
• →You want to disinherit a spouse or child (the 1975 Inheritance Act allows family provision claims — get advice first)

We say this on every page of our site and we mean it. A DIY will kit is the right product for most people. It is not the right product for everyone.

The real risks with DIY wills (and how to avoid them)

The risks are not about using a template — they are about execution. The most common problems:

1. Witnesses who are beneficiaries

Under s15 Wills Act 1837, if a witness (or their spouse or civil partner) is a beneficiary of the will, that gift is void — though the will itself remains valid. This is easy to avoid: choose two witnesses who are not named in the will and have no financial interest in your estate.

2. Incorrect signing ceremony

All three parties — the testator and both witnesses — must be physically present together for the signing. You cannot sign it at home and then get witnesses to sign separately later. A step-by-step witnessing guide eliminates this risk.

3. Ambiguous wording

A vague gift can cause disputes. “I leave my jewellery to my daughters equally” is less clear than it seems if daughters disagree about which piece is which. A template with plain-English sections prompts you to be specific.

4. Not updating after major life events

Marriage automatically revokes a will. Divorce removes gifts to an ex-spouse. Having children does not automatically update who inherits or who you want as guardian. A will is not a set-and-forget document — review it after every major life change.

Common questions