Signing and witnessing
A will that is worded perfectly can still fail if it is signed incorrectly. These guides cover the signing sequence, who may witness, and the rules that decide whether your will takes effect.
Reviewed by the Estate Advisory Group editorial teamLegally reviewed: 13 August 2026Last updated: 13 August 2026
- How to Sign a WillExplains the correct sequence for signing a will so it is legally valid under the Wills Act 1837.
- How to Witness a WillA practical guide for anyone asked to witness a will, covering what to do and what to avoid.
- 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.
- 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 I Print My Will at Home?Home printing is fine as long as you sign the printed document correctly.
- Does a Will Need to Be on Special Paper?No special paper is required; ordinary paper is fine if the will is signed and witnessed properly.
- Does a Will Need to Be Notarised?No, English and Welsh wills do not need notarising; witnessing under the Wills Act is what matters.
- Does a Will Need a Solicitor's Signature?No, a solicitor's signature is not required; two independent lay witnesses are all the law asks for.
- Can Witnesses Be Family Members?Family members can witness a will legally, but not if they or their spouse stand to inherit under it.
- Can My Neighbour Witness My Will?Yes, a neighbour makes a perfectly valid witness, and often a very safe choice.
- Can Husband and Wife Witness Each Other's Wills?Couples generally should not witness each other's wills where they benefit from them.
- Can an Executor Witness a Will?Yes, an executor can witness the will, but not if they are also a beneficiary.
- Do Witnesses Need to Read My Will?No, witnesses only need to see the signing take place, not read the contents.
- Getting a DIY Will Witnessed CorrectlyTwo independent witnesses, present together, are what turn a DIY will into a valid one.
- What to Do With a Will After SigningA signed will only helps if it can be found and if your executor knows where it is.
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Other guidance
- Make a willEverything you need to make a will in England and Wales: what a will does, what it costs, whether you can write your own and what makes it legally valid.
- Executors and beneficiariesChoosing executors, naming beneficiaries, leaving property, money and possessions, and what happens to a gift if a beneficiary dies before you.
- Wills and familyWills for parents, married and unmarried couples, mirror wills, guardians, and how marriage, divorce and separation affect an existing will.
- Will guidesWhat happens if you die without a will, the intestacy rules, when to update a will, how to change one and whether you need a solicitor.
- Inheritance and giftsWho you can leave your estate to, leaving everything to one person, unequal shares between children, grandchildren, friends and the age children inherit.
- Property and willsWhat happens to a home when you die: joint tenants and tenants in common, leaving your share, mortgages, and whether an unmarried partner inherits.
- What happens when you dieWhat happens to bank accounts, joint accounts, pensions, ISAs and savings when someone dies, and how a will changes who ultimately benefits.
- Tax and estatesInheritance tax and wills explained: the nil rate band, residence nil rate band, spouse and charity exemptions, gifts and who pays the tax.
- Digital assetsWhat happens to your phone, email, social media, photos, online accounts and cryptocurrency when you die, and how to cover them in your will.
- Pets and willsWhat happens to your pet when you die, how to include a pet in your will, leaving money for their care and gifts to animal charities.
- Business ownersMaking a will if you own a business: company shares, sole trader businesses, partnership interests and what happens when an owner dies.
- Life eventsWhen to make or update a will: buying a home, moving in together, marriage, a new baby, travelling abroad, retirement and later life.
- Online willsMaking a will online in England and Wales: what it costs, fixed fee will writing, online versus DIY wills, and how quickly you can get one done.
- Gifts and wishesLeaving jewellery, cars, heirlooms and cash gifts in a will, giving different gifts to different people, and recording funeral and cremation wishes.
- Blended familiesWills for second marriages and blended families: stepchildren, children from a previous relationship, grandchildren and protecting a partner and children together.
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