DIY Will Template UK: What a Good Template Must Include
Searching for a DIY will template in the UK surfaces dozens of free downloads. Some are legally sound. Many are not. This guide explains exactly what clauses and guidance a will template must contain to be safe in England and Wales — and how to tell the difference before you print and sign.
Why template quality matters
A will is a legal document. The form of words matters — not because judges are pedantic, but because unclear language creates disputes, missing clauses create intestacy for assets they fail to cover, and incorrect execution creates grounds for challenge. A template that looks like a will and produces a document that looks like a will can still be fatally flawed if key clauses are absent or poorly drafted.
The distinction between a good DIY will template and a poor one usually comes down to five things: clause completeness, the attestation clause, the residuary estate clause, substitutional provisions, and the guidance that accompanies the template. Below is a checklist of each.
The mandatory clause checklist
Every will template for England and Wales must include these clauses. If any are missing, treat the template with caution.
1. Revocation clause
Every will should begin by expressly revoking all previous wills and codicils. Without this, it is unclear whether you intended the new will to replace or sit alongside earlier documents. A solicitor-standard template always includes a sentence such as: “I revoke all former Wills and testamentary dispositions previously made by me.”
2. Executor appointment
Names the person(s) who will administer your estate. Should include a substitute executor in case your primary choice cannot act. A template that only allows one executor with no substitute is a gap — if your executor predeceases you or is incapacitated, the estate may need to apply to the court for administration.
3. Guardian appointment (for parents)
Allows parents to name a guardian for minor children under s5 Children Act 1989. This appointment only takes effect if both parents with parental responsibility are dead. It is the most important function of a will for parents — yet some generic free templates omit a guardian clause entirely.
4. Residuary estate clause
Distributes everything not covered by specific gifts — typically the largest part of your estate. Without a residuary clause, anything not specifically given falls into partial intestacy and is distributed under the intestacy rules rather than your wishes. This is one of the most common and costly errors in home-made wills.
5. Substitutional gift provisions
States what happens if a beneficiary predeceases you. The most common provision is a “per stirpes” clause — if a named beneficiary dies before you, their share passes to their own children (your grandchildren). Without this, a lapsed gift may fall into residue or fail entirely. Many free templates omit it.
6. Trust clause for minor beneficiaries
If any beneficiary is under 18 when they inherit, their gift must be held on trust until they reach adulthood (or a later age if you specify). The statutory trust under s31 Trustee Act 1925 applies automatically, but a well-drafted template makes this explicit and optionally extends the trust age beyond 18.
7. Attestation clause
The sentence near the signature line that records the signing formality — that the testator signed in the presence of both witnesses who then signed in the testator’s presence. An attestation clause creates a presumption of due execution: if the will is later challenged, the clause shifts the burden of proof to those claiming it was invalid. A will without an attestation clause is more vulnerable to challenge.
8. Executor powers clause
Grants your executor the practical powers they need to administer the estate — to sell, invest, transfer and distribute assets. Strictly speaking your executor has statutory powers under the Trustee Act 2000, but an express powers clause avoids uncertainty and speeds up administration.
What free templates typically get wrong
Most problems with free will templates fall into one of three categories:
- ✗Missing or inadequate attestation clause. Many free forms provide a signature block without a proper attestation clause, or include a minimal version that does not record all required formalities. This creates vulnerability to an execution challenge.
- ✗No substitutional gifts provision.Free templates often only cover “primary” beneficiaries. If any named beneficiary dies before you, the gift is simply unaddressed — leaving partial intestacy.
- ✗Jurisdiction errors.Many free template websites serve multiple jurisdictions. A template labelled “UK” may be valid for Scotland but not for England and Wales, or vice versa. Scotland has entirely different succession law (the Succession (Scotland) Act 1964) — a Scottish-law template is not valid in England and Wales.
- ✗No witnessing guidance. The template is only half the picture. Incorrect witnessing — particularly a beneficiary witnessing the will, or not having both witnesses present simultaneously — invalidates gifts or creates grounds for challenge. Without clear guidance in the kit, the most common cause of failed DIY wills is left to chance.
- ✗Outdated forms. Some free templates in circulation were drafted before the Administration of Justice Act 1982, the Trustee Act 2000, or other modernising legislation. Provisions that reference outdated statutes or use archaic wording can create ambiguity.
What to look for in a paid DIY will kit
If you choose a paid DIY will kit over a free template, the additional cost should buy you more than a better-formatted document. Before purchasing any kit, confirm it includes:
- ✓An editable Word document. A locked PDF forces you to write in the gaps without being able to adjust layout or wording. An editable DOCX gives you flexibility and allows you to print a clean final version.
- ✓Step-by-step plain-English instructions. The template is only as good as your understanding of how to use it. Instructions should walk you through every section without assuming legal knowledge.
- ✓A visual witnessing guide. The most common error in DIY wills is the signing ceremony. A diagram or step-by-step visual guide removes this risk almost entirely.
- ✓A pre-completion checklist. Gather the full legal names and addresses of your executor, beneficiaries, and witnesses before you start. A checklist prevents the most common completion errors.
- ✓England and Wales jurisdiction confirmed.The product description must explicitly state it is drafted for England and Wales — not “the UK” generically.
WillSafe UK Single Will Kit — the template that includes everything
Editable DOCX + typeset PDF, all eight required clauses, plain-English guide, visual witnessing diagram, and a pre-completion checklist. Drafted for England and Wales. Instant download.
Frequently asked questions
Is a DIY will template legally valid in the UK?+
Yes — the method used to create a will has no bearing on its legal validity. The Wills Act 1837 requires only that the testator is 18 or over, has testamentary capacity, and that the will is in writing, signed by the testator, and witnessed by two independent adults who both sign in the testator's presence. A properly completed DIY template that follows these rules is just as legally valid as a solicitor-drafted will. The template itself is a tool — validity depends entirely on content and correct execution.
What is the difference between a free will template and a paid DIY will kit?+
Free will templates typically provide a blank form with minimal guidance. They may lack an attestation clause, omit a residuary estate clause, skip substitutional gift provisions, and provide no witnessing instructions. A paid DIY will kit provides a professionally drafted template that already includes all required clauses, plus step-by-step guidance, witnessing instructions, and a pre-completion checklist. The template is the smaller part of the kit — the guidance around it is where the value lies.
Can I use a will template I downloaded from a random website?+
Possibly, but with caution. Check carefully: is it specifically drafted for England and Wales? (Scotland has different rules.) Does it include an attestation clause? Does it have a residuary estate clause? Does it cover what happens if a beneficiary predeceases you? Does it provide guidance on the witnessing formality? Most generic templates found on general websites fail one or more of these checks. A template missing the attestation clause in particular can leave the signing formality unclear and give grounds for a later challenge.
Do I need to print a will template or can I sign it electronically?+
Under current English law, a will must be in writing and signed with a wet ink signature — electronic signatures are not valid for wills. The will must be printed and signed physically in the presence of two witnesses who also sign in ink. Electronic signatures were temporarily allowed during COVID-19 lockdowns (2020–2022), but that emergency provision has ended. Any will signed electronically after 31 January 2022 is not valid in England and Wales.
How do I make sure my will template is properly witnessed?+
Your two witnesses must: (1) both be present at the same time when you sign; (2) each sign the will themselves after watching you sign; (3) be 18 or over; (4) not be beneficiaries under the will, and not be married to or in a civil partnership with a beneficiary. A beneficiary who witnesses the will does not invalidate the will itself, but forfeits their gift. Your template should include an attestation clause — the sentence near the signature line that records these formalities. Never sign a will before both witnesses are present and watching.
What clauses must every will template include?+
A legally complete will template for England and Wales should include: (1) a revocation clause cancelling earlier wills; (2) executor appointment; (3) guardian appointment (if you have minor children); (4) specific gifts (optional); (5) a residuary estate clause distributing everything not covered by specific gifts; (6) substitutional gift provisions for what happens if a beneficiary predeceases you; (7) a trust clause for gifts to minors; (8) a powers clause for your executor; (9) an attestation clause recording the signing formality. Many generic free templates omit items 6, 7, and 9.
Ready to use a template you can trust?
WillSafe UK’s will kit includes a professionally drafted template with all eight required clauses, plain-English instructions, a visual witnessing guide, and an editable Word document. Download in under a minute.
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Self-help information only.WillSafe UK is a trading name of WSC Group Ltd. We are not solicitors and do not provide legal advice. This guide covers England & Wales only. For complex estates, blended families, business assets, or foreign property, consult a qualified solicitor. See our full disclaimer.