Best DIY Will Kit UK 2026: What to Look For

Searching for the best DIY will kit in the UK quickly becomes confusing. This guide explains what separates a good kit from a poor one, matches each kit to the right situation, and is honest about when a DIY kit is not the right tool at all.

Why choose a DIY will kit over a solicitor or online service?

The first question to settle is whether a DIY kit is right at all. There are three main ways to make a will in England and Wales, and the differences in cost are significant.

For people with a straightforward estate — a home, savings, clear wishes about beneficiaries, and no business interests or foreign property — a DIY kit covers everything required by law at a fraction of the price. The Wills Act 1837 does not require a will to be drafted by a solicitor, and a well-made kit produces a document that is just as legally valid.

The cost difference is not trivial. A couple using mirror wills would pay £59.99 with WillSafe UK, compared to £300 to £750 with a high-street solicitor. That saving is the same whether your estate is worth £50,000 or £500,000.

Six criteria for a good DIY will kit

Not all will kits are equal. Before buying, check the following six things.

1. Wills Act 1837 compliance

Any kit sold for use in England and Wales must produce a document that satisfies section 9 of the Wills Act 1837. This means the template must include an attestation clause — the formal statement that you signed in the presence of two witnesses who then signed in your presence. A kit that omits this, or uses language that does not reflect current law, is a red flag. Check whether the kit explicitly states it is drafted for England and Wales (not Scotland, which has different rules under the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995, and not Northern Ireland).

2. Plain-English language

Legal jargon in a will creates ambiguity. A good kit uses plain English throughout, with a glossary explaining any technical terms that are necessary (testator, residuary estate, executor, specific bequest). If you cannot understand a clause, you cannot be confident it says what you intend.

3. DOCX and PDF format

A kit that provides only a PDF form limits what you can do. An editable Word (.docx) file lets you type freely, add clauses, and reformat if your wishes are slightly outside the standard template. You should also receive a clean PDF version to print once complete. Kits that are entirely online forms and generate a locked PDF offer less flexibility and can be harder to adapt.

4. Witnessing and signing instructions

The most common reason a DIY will fails is incorrect execution — not a problem with the wording, but with how it was signed. A good kit provides step-by-step signing instructions, explains who can and cannot act as a witness (beneficiaries and their spouses cannot), and makes clear that all three signatories must be present at the same time. This is non-negotiable.

5. Money-back guarantee

A reputable supplier stands behind their product. Look for a clear returns or satisfaction guarantee. This is a reasonable minimum expectation for a digital product.

6. Clear scope statement

A trustworthy kit tells you, upfront, what it covers and what it does not. If the kit is silent about its limitations — for example, whether it handles guardianship appointments, substitutional gifts, or specific legacies — that is a concern. Equally, if a kit claims to cover every situation, that is unlikely to be true. Look for an honest statement of what situations the kit is designed for.

Which kit fits your situation?

Different circumstances call for different products. The table below maps common situations to the most appropriate WillSafe UK kit.

The WillSafe UK range

All WillSafe UK products are drafted in accordance with the Wills Act 1837 for use in England and Wales. Each product is supplied as an editable Word (.docx) template and a typeset PDF, with a plain-English instruction guide and a glossary of terms.

Things to check before buying any will kit

These questions apply to any will kit, not just WillSafe UK. Before you buy, confirm:

• ✓Is it for England and Wales only? Scotland and Northern Ireland have different legal requirements. A kit drafted for England and Wales is not valid in Scotland, and vice versa. Check the product description explicitly states its jurisdiction.
• ✓Does it cover guardianship? If you have children under 18, the ability to appoint a guardian is one of the most important functions of a will. Not all kits include a guardianship clause. Confirm this is included before you buy.
• ✓Does it include witnessing instructions? Incorrect execution is the most common reason a DIY will is challenged. The kit must explain, clearly, who can act as a witness, that both witnesses must be present simultaneously, and what the attestation clause means.
• ✓Is the template editable? A locked PDF form limits your flexibility. An editable Word document lets you adapt the standard clauses to your exact wishes.
• ✓Does it include substitutional gifts? What happens if a beneficiary dies before you? A good kit includes a clause allowing you to name a substitute (for example, a beneficiary's children) to avoid the gift falling into the residue or, in some cases, failing entirely.

When a DIY will kit is not the right choice

A DIY will kit is a self-help tool. It produces a legally valid will for people with straightforward circumstances. It is not suitable for everyone. You should speak to a qualified solicitor rather than using a kit if any of the following apply:

• •Complex trusts. If you want to set up a discretionary trust, a life interest trust, a trust for a disabled beneficiary, or any other trust arrangement, you need specialist drafting. Trusts are not covered by standard will kits and errors can have significant tax and legal consequences.
• •Business assets. Interests in a partnership, shares in a private company, or a sole trader business require careful succession planning. The wrong clause can trigger unexpected tax charges or leave the business in limbo. A solicitor with commercial experience is the appropriate route.
• •Foreign property. Property outside England and Wales is generally governed by the law of the country where it is situated. A will made under English law may not be sufficient, or may need to interact with a local will. You need advice on whether a separate will is required in each jurisdiction.
• •Blended family disputes. If there is a real risk that a spouse, child, or other dependant will challenge the will under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, a solicitor can help you structure the will, document your reasoning, and reduce the chance of a successful claim.
• •Significant concerns about mental capacity. If there is any doubt about your testamentary capacity — for example, because of a recent dementia diagnosis — a solicitor can arrange a contemporaneous medical assessment and keep a record. This is strong protection against a later capacity challenge.
• •Inheritance tax planning. If your estate is likely to exceed the current nil-rate band thresholds and you want to use spousal exemption, charity exemptions, trusts, or business/agricultural property relief, you need bespoke advice. A will kit cannot substitute for inheritance tax planning.

In any of these situations, the cost of a solicitor is justified. A contested will or an avoidable tax bill can cost many times the price of proper advice upfront.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

• ✓DIY Will Kit UK: How to Write Your Own Will Properly
• ✓How Much Does a Will Cost in the UK? (2026 Guide)
• ✓How to Witness a Will in England and Wales
• ✓DIY Will vs Solicitor: Which Is Right for You?
• ✓Mirror Wills Explained: What Couples Need to Know