Leaving Money to Friends in Your Will

Under the intestacy rules that apply when someone dies without a valid will, only spouses, civil partners and specified blood relatives are entitled to inherit. Friends, no matter how close or how long-standing the relationship, do not feature anywhere in that list and inherit nothing automatically.

This means that if you want a friend to receive anything from your estate, whether a small keepsake or a substantial sum, a valid will naming them is the only reliable way to make that happen.

You can leave a friend a specific item, such as something with sentimental value that reflects your friendship, a fixed cash legacy, or a percentage share of your residuary estate if you want to recognise them more significantly, particularly if you have limited family or want to treat them similarly to a family member.

The right approach depends on how significant you want the gift to be. A cash legacy or specific item is straightforward and predictable, while a residuary share ties the gift to the overall value of the estate after other provisions are met.

If you have children, a spouse or other close family, think about how a significant gift to a friend sits alongside what they might expect to receive. This does not mean you cannot make the gift, but being aware of the dynamic can help you decide the right amount and whether to explain your reasoning to family, either directly or through a letter of wishes.

In rare cases, family members who feel a will unreasonably favours a friend over them might consider a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, particularly a spouse, child or financial dependant left with little or nothing. This risk is worth bearing in mind and discussing with a solicitor if the amounts involved are significant.

If a friend lived with you and was financially maintained by you, they may in some circumstances be able to bring a claim under the 1975 Act if they are left without reasonable provision, even without being named in your will. If this situation applies, it is far better to address it directly in your will than to leave it to a possible future claim, which involves cost, delay and uncertainty for everyone involved.

This is a relatively specific situation and, where it applies, is worth discussing with a solicitor to make sure your will reflects the true nature of the relationship and reduces the risk of dispute.

Naming a friend clearly, by full name and ideally with an address to avoid any confusion with someone of a similar name, and specifying exactly what they are to receive, is usually all that is needed to make sure your wishes are followed.

My Posh Will's guided online process lets you add gifts to friends alongside provision for family, whether a specific item, a cash sum or a share of your estate. A single will costs £69 and mirror wills cost £89, both one-off payments with lifetime access, and most people complete the process in around ten minutes.