Can I Write My Own Will?
Yes, you can write your own will in England and Wales. Here is what it must include and the risks to avoid.
In short
- You are legally free to write your own will without a solicitor.
- It must be in writing, signed and witnessed correctly to be valid.
- Ambiguous wording or DIY mistakes can cause problems during probate.
- Complex estates are still better handled with professional advice.
Yes, there is no legal requirement to use a solicitor to write a will in England and Wales. You can write your own will by hand, type it yourself, or use an online service, as long as the finished document meets the formal legal requirements for validity.
Many people now use an online service to write their own will while still getting properly worded clauses, rather than starting from a blank page. My Posh Will charges £69 for an individual will, or £89 for mirror wills, and the process typically takes around ten minutes.
The legal position
There is no requirement in the Wills Act 1837 for a will to be prepared by a solicitor, or for it to be typed rather than handwritten. What matters is that the finished document is in writing, signed by you with the intention of giving effect to it, and signed in the presence of two witnesses who are both present at the same time and who then also sign it themselves.
You must also have testamentary capacity when you sign, meaning you understand what a will is, roughly what you own, and who might reasonably expect to benefit, and you must be acting freely without pressure from anyone else.
None of this means every homemade will is treated with suspicion. Courts and probate registries deal with handwritten and DIY wills regularly, and most are accepted without issue provided they are clear and properly signed. Problems arise from poor drafting and execution, not from the simple fact that a solicitor was not involved.
Common mistakes when writing your own will
The most frequent problems with DIY wills are not about the law itself but about clarity and execution. Vague descriptions of gifts, missing backup beneficiaries, forgetting to name a backup executor, or getting the witnessing wrong are all common issues that can cause delay, disputes or partial invalidity.
- Using a beneficiary or their spouse as a witness, which invalidates that gift
- Not naming a backup executor or beneficiary
- Vague wording about who gets what, leading to disputes
- Assuming that jointly owned property or a life insurance policy is automatically covered by the will, when it may pass outside it entirely
- Failing to properly revoke earlier wills
Why structure and wording still matter
Even though you can write your own will, using clear, standard clauses for revocation, appointment of executors, guardianship, specific gifts and residue reduces the risk of ambiguity. This is where an online will service adds value: it uses tested wording while still reflecting your personal choices, rather than you drafting legal clauses entirely from scratch.
Signing it correctly
Whatever method you use to write the will, it is only valid once signed correctly. Print the document, sign it in front of two independent witnesses who are both present at the same time, and have them sign it too, in your presence. Keep the signed original safe and let your executor know where to find it.
When you should not write it yourself
If your estate might be liable for inheritance tax, includes a business, agricultural land or property abroad, involves a blended family, is likely to be disputed, or needs to provide for a dependant who cannot manage their own affairs, you should get advice from a solicitor rather than writing the will entirely yourself.
Questions people ask
Related guidance
- How to Make a WillA clear step-by-step explanation of how to make a will, from deciding on executors and beneficiaries to signing correctly.
- What Makes a Will Legally Valid?A detailed explanation of the legal requirements for a valid will under the Wills Act 1837.
- Who Can Witness a Will?Sets out who is a suitable witness for a will and who should be avoided, with the reasons behind each rule.
- 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.
- Do I Need a Solicitor to Make a Will?When an online will service is appropriate, and when professional legal advice is genuinely needed.
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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.