Guides & Resources
22 plain-English UK guides on wills, estate planning, LPAs, inheritance tax and probate. Updated for April 2026. Looking for a specific term? See our estate planning glossary.
DIY Will Kit UK | How to Write Your Own Will
Step-by-step guide to writing your own will in England & Wales without a solicitor. Covers the Wills Act 1837, witnesses, executors, and signing.
Read guide →Mirror Wills Explained | Matching Wills for Couples
What are mirror wills? How do they differ from mutual wills? A complete guide for married couples, civil partners and cohabitees.
Read guide →Lasting Power of Attorney Guide
Everything you need to know about LPAs in England & Wales: the two types, how to register with the OPG, and common mistakes to avoid.
Read guide →What Happens If You Die Without a Will UK
Intestacy rules explained: who inherits, common misconceptions, and why making a will matters for your family in England & Wales.
Read guide →Executor Duties UK: A Complete Checklist for 2026
Week-by-week checklist for executors. What to do, when probate is needed, tax deadlines, and common mistakes to avoid.
Read guide →DIY Will vs Solicitor: Which Is Right for You?
Honest comparison of cost, time, and complexity. When a DIY will kit is perfect and when you genuinely need a solicitor.
Read guide →How Much Does a Will Cost UK?
DIY vs online vs high-street solicitor vs London firm, plus Free Wills Month. Full 2026 pricing guide with decision matrix.
Read guide →How to Witness a Will UK (Step-by-Step)
Section 9 Wills Act 1837 in plain English: who can witness, the seven-step signing ceremony, and the 10 most common mistakes.
Read guide →Inheritance Tax UK Basics (2026)
Nil-rate bands, the 7-year rule with taper relief, always-exempt gifts, and when to get professional advice.
Read guide →Codicil vs New Will: Which Should You Use?
When a codicil is enough and when to rewrite your will. Signing formalities and storage best practice.
Read guide →Will Writing for Landlords UK
Buy-to-let succession, tenant obligations during probate, IHT on rental portfolios, and common landlord will mistakes.
Read guide →Digital Legacy UK
Social media, iCloud, crypto, domain names — how to plan your digital estate under England & Wales law.
Read guide →Guardianship in a Will UK
Appointing guardians under section 5 Children Act 1989, choosing the right person, and funding the guardianship with a trust.
Read guide →Mirror Wills vs Single Will: Which Do You Need?
Couples vs individuals — when to choose a mirror will kit and when a single will is all you need. Side-by-side comparison for England & Wales.
Read guide →Best DIY Will Kit UK 2026: What to Look For
How to choose a DIY will kit in England & Wales — the six criteria that matter, a product comparison, and when a kit is the right choice.
Read guide →When Do You Need a Solicitor for a Will?
An honest guide to the situations where a DIY will is fine and the situations where you genuinely need a solicitor. Includes cost comparison.
Read guide →Types of Lasting Power of Attorney UK: Which Do You Need?
Property & Financial Affairs LPA vs Health & Welfare LPA — how they differ, when each activates, and whether you need both.
Read guide →How to Write Your Own Will in England & Wales: The Complete 2026 Guide
Everything you need to know to write a legally valid DIY will yourself — who can make one, what to include, how to sign it, and how to store it.
Read guide →Will Kit vs Solicitor Cost UK 2026 — Which Is Right for You?
A DIY will kit costs £39.99. A solicitor charges £300–£600. Honest cost comparison with pros, cons, and when each option is the right choice.
Read guide →Do I Need a Will? UK Guide for 2026
54% of UK adults don't have a will. Find out why you probably need one, what happens without one, and how to write one today.
Read guide →Lasting Power of Attorney Cost UK 2026 — Full Fee Guide
OPG registration fee is £92 per LPA in 2026. Solicitors charge £300–£600 extra. Full breakdown of LPA costs, fee reductions, and how to set up an LPA yourself.
Read guide →Post Office Will Kit UK: What to Use Instead in 2026
What's in a Post Office or WHSmith will kit, what it doesn't include, and how a downloadable DIY will kit compares on price, guidance and signing support.
Read guide →Self-help information only. The guides on this page are for general informational purposes and do not constitute legal advice. WillSafe UK is not a firm of solicitors. For complex estates, blended families, business assets or foreign property, please speak to a qualified solicitor.