How to make a will

Last reviewed 18 August 2026

A will need not be elaborate to be valid; it must, however, be made with care, for the smallest defect in its execution can undo the whole.

What makes a will valid

To be valid under the Wills Act 1837, the will must be in writing; the person making it must be 18 or over and of sound mind; and it must be signed in the presence of two witnesses, who then sign in turn. A witness (or their spouse) must not be a beneficiary, or the gift to them fails.

Doing it well

List your assets, choose an executor you trust, appoint guardians for any children, and be specific about gifts. For a simple estate an online will suffices; for a complex one, instruct a solicitor. Store the will where the executor can find it, and review it after any major life change.

Sources. GOV.UK, Making a will; Wills Act 1837.