Are Online Wills Legal?
Yes, online wills are legal in England and Wales when signed and witnessed correctly. Here is exactly what that involves.
In short
- Online wills are legally valid, with no special rules applying to them.
- Validity depends on signing and witnessing, not on how the will was drafted.
- The signed document must be a physical paper original.
- Mistakes in witnessing are the most common way online wills go wrong.
Yes, online wills are fully legal in England and Wales, provided the final document meets the same requirements as any other will. There is no special legal category for a will drafted online; what matters is whether the finished, signed document satisfies the Wills Act 1837, not how the wording was originally produced.
This means an online will from a service like My Posh Will, costing £69 for an individual will or £89 for mirror wills, carries exactly the same legal force as a will drafted by a solicitor, as long as you follow the signing instructions correctly.
What actually makes a will legal
Under Section 9 of the Wills Act 1837, a will is valid if it is in writing, signed by the testator (or by someone else in their presence and at their direction) with the intention of giving effect to it, and signed or acknowledged in the presence of two witnesses who are both present at the same time. Each witness must then also sign the will, in the testator's presence.
None of this depends on whether the wording was drafted by a solicitor, typed by hand, or generated by an online questionnaire. The law is concerned with the final signed document and the circumstances of signing, not the drafting method.
This can feel surprising given how much emphasis is often placed on "proper legal documents", but the reasoning is straightforward: the drafting stage is only ever a proposal for what you want, whereas the signing stage is the moment the law treats as final. That is why every reputable online service places heavy emphasis on getting the signing instructions right, since it is the one part of the process it cannot complete on your behalf.
Where people go wrong with online wills
Most problems with online wills happen at the signing stage rather than in the drafting. Common mistakes include using only one witness, having the witnesses sign at different times rather than together, or using a beneficiary (or their spouse) as a witness, which can invalidate that person's gift even though the rest of the will remains valid.
- Both witnesses must be present at the same time as you sign
- Witnesses should be independent adults, not beneficiaries or their spouses
- The original must be a printed, physically signed paper document
- Digital or electronic signatures are not currently sufficient for a standard will
- If you make a mistake during signing, such as a witness signing before you did, the safest fix is usually to redo the whole signing process correctly on a fresh copy, rather than trying to correct the original
Capacity and intention still apply
As with any will, you need testamentary capacity at the time of signing, meaning you understand what a will is, broadly what you own, and who might reasonably expect to benefit, and you must be signing it of your own free will rather than under pressure from someone else.
How this compares with solicitor-drafted wills
A solicitor-drafted will goes through the same legal test for validity. The main difference is that a solicitor can advise on issues an online questionnaire may not flag, such as inheritance tax planning or trusts, and can witness or oversee the signing process in person if needed.
When to get legal advice alongside an online will
If your estate might be liable for inheritance tax, includes a business, agricultural land or property abroad, involves a blended family or a likely dispute, or you need to provide for a dependant who cannot manage their own affairs, it is sensible to involve a solicitor rather than relying solely on a standard online will.
Questions people ask
Related guidance
- Online WillsA practical guide to online wills, covering validity, cost, and the situations where a solicitor is a better fit.
- What Makes a Will Legally Valid?A detailed explanation of the legal requirements for a valid will under the Wills Act 1837.
- Does a Will Need to Be Witnessed?Confirms that witnessing is essential for a valid will in England and Wales, with a brief note on rare exceptions.
- Can a Beneficiary Witness a Will?Explains the section 15 rule that voids a beneficiary's gift if they witness the will, while the will itself stays valid.
- Make a Will OnlineHow to make a will online, what the process involves, and how to make sure it is legally valid once signed.
More in Make a will.
Make your will online
Answer a few simple questions and we prepare your will ready to sign. Single will £69, mirror wills £89. One-off payment, lifetime access.
Start free, pay only when you are ready. Prices in pounds.
This guidance covers the law of England and Wales and is general information, not legal advice about your circumstances. The rules in Scotland and Northern Ireland differ.