DIY Will Kit UK | How to Write Your Own Will Properly
Writing your own will is one of the most important things you can do for your family, and in England and Wales, you do not need a solicitor to do it. This guide explains exactly how a DIY will kit works, what the law requires, and how to make sure your will is valid.
What is a DIY will kit?
A DIY will kit is a professionally drafted template and instruction guide that lets you write a legally valid will at home, without paying solicitor fees. It typically includes a fillable document (in Word and PDF format), a step-by-step guide to completing it, and detailed instructions for the signing ceremony.
DIY will kits are designed for people with straightforward estates: a home, savings, personal belongings, and clear wishes about who should inherit. If your situation is more complex (business assets, property abroad, or potential family disputes), a solicitor is the better choice.
The WillSafe UK Single Will Kit costs £39.99 and includes an editable Word template, a typeset PDF ready to print, a glossary of will terminology, and full signing and witnessing instructions. It is drafted in accordance with the Wills Act 1837 for use in England and Wales.
Is it legal to write your own will in the UK?
Yes, absolutely. Will-writing is not a reserved legal activity in England and Wales. Under the Legal Services Act 2007, only certain activities are restricted to authorised persons (such as conducting litigation or administering oaths). Writing a will is not one of them.
The legal requirements for a valid will are set out in section 9 of the Wills Act 1837. A will is valid if:
- ✓The testator (person making the will) is aged 18 or over
- ✓They have testamentary capacity, meaning they understand what a will is, what they own, and who might have a claim on their estate
- ✓The will is in writing (handwritten or typed; both are fine)
- ✓It is signed by the testator in the presence of two witnesses, who both then sign the will themselves
- ✓The testator intended the document to be their will (testamentary intention)
There is no requirement for the will to be typed on special paper, notarised, stamped, or filed with any court or registry. A will only comes into effect after the testator dies, at which point the executor applies for probate (if needed) and the will is proved.
What you need to make a valid will
Before you sit down with your will kit, make sure you have the following:
Two independent witnesses
Your witnesses must be aged 18 or over, must not be beneficiaries of the will (or married to/in a civil partnership with a beneficiary), and must both be present at the same time when you sign. A common choice is neighbours, colleagues, or friends who are not mentioned in your will.
Mental capacity
You must understand what you are doing when you sign your will. The legal test comes from the case of Banks v Goodfellow (1870): you must understand the nature of making a will, have a general idea of the extent of your property, and be aware of anyone who might have a claim on your estate. If there is any doubt about capacity (for example, if you have a diagnosis of dementia), it is worth asking a doctor to assess you and keep a record.
A clear picture of your estate
Before filling in the template, list your assets (property, savings, investments, vehicles, valuables) and your debts (mortgage, loans, credit cards). This helps you make clear, specific gifts and ensures nothing important is missed.
Step-by-step: writing your will with a DIY kit
Choose your executor(s)
Your executor is the person who will carry out your wishes after you die. Choose someone you trust, typically a spouse, adult child, or close friend. You can appoint up to four executors. Name at least one substitute in case your first choice is unable or unwilling to act.
List your beneficiaries and gifts
Decide who gets what. You can leave specific items ("my wedding ring to my daughter Sarah"), specific amounts of money ("£5,000 to Macmillan Cancer Support"), or your residuary estate ("everything else split equally between my children"). Be precise. Vague language causes disputes.
Appoint guardians (if you have children under 18)
If both parents die, who should look after your children? Your will is the only legally recognised way to appoint a guardian. Choose someone who shares your values and discuss it with them first.
Add any special instructions
This might include funeral wishes, a clause about what happens if a beneficiary dies before you (substitutional gifts), or a statement about any debts that should be paid from the estate before distribution.
The signing ceremony
This is the most important step. You must sign the will in the presence of both witnesses at the same time. Both witnesses then sign the will in your presence. Nobody leaves the room until all three signatures are on the document. Our kit includes an attestation clause that records this happened correctly.
Store it safely
Keep the original signed will in a secure place: a fireproof safe, a solicitor's strong room, or HMCTS's government storage service. Tell your executor where it is. Never staple, clip, or attach anything to the original. Any marks or holes can raise questions about whether pages were removed or altered.
When you should use a solicitor instead
A DIY will kit is ideal for straightforward estates. However, some situations genuinely need professional advice. We recommend speaking to a qualified solicitor if any of the following apply:
- •You own a business or shares in a private company
- •You have property outside England and Wales
- •You want to set up a trust (for inheritance tax planning, protecting assets for children from a previous relationship, or a vulnerable beneficiary)
- •You have a blended family and there is a risk of disputes
- •You want to disinherit a spouse, child, or financial dependant (they may be able to claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975)
- •You are not domiciled in England or Wales, or you hold assets in multiple jurisdictions
- •There are concerns about mental capacity (a solicitor can arrange a capacity assessment)
In these cases, the cost of a solicitor is money well spent. A contested will can cost tens of thousands of pounds to resolve in court, far more than getting it right the first time.
Frequently asked questions
Is a DIY will legally valid in the UK?+
Yes. There is no legal requirement to use a solicitor to write a will in England & Wales. Under the Wills Act 1837, any person aged 18 or over with mental capacity can make a valid will, provided it is signed correctly in the presence of two independent witnesses. A DIY will kit gives you the template and instructions to meet these requirements.
How much does it cost to write a will without a solicitor?+
A professionally drafted DIY will template from WillSafe UK costs £39.99 for a single will kit. Compare that to solicitor fees, which typically range from £200 to £500 for a straightforward will, and considerably more for couples or complex estates.
What happens if I make a mistake on my will?+
Minor errors can sometimes be corrected with a codicil (a formal amendment). However, if the mistake affects the meaning of the will or it was not signed and witnessed correctly, the will may be challenged. Our kit includes a detailed signing guide to help you avoid common mistakes. If in doubt, consider having your completed will reviewed by a solicitor.
Can I write my will on a blank piece of paper?+
Technically, yes. A will written on any material can be valid provided it meets the requirements of the Wills Act 1837. However, using a professionally drafted template dramatically reduces the risk of ambiguity, missing clauses, or errors that could lead to disputes after your death.
Do I need to register my will?+
No. There is no compulsory will register in England & Wales. You should store your original signed will in a safe place and tell your executor where to find it. Options include a fireproof safe at home, a solicitor's strong room, or HMCTS's government storage service (currently £20).
Does marriage or divorce affect my will?+
Marriage revokes any existing will unless the will was made expressly 'in contemplation of' that marriage (s18 Wills Act 1837). Divorce does not revoke a will, but gifts and appointments to your former spouse are treated as if they had died on the date of the decree absolute (s18A). You should write a new will after either event.
Ready to write your will?
Our DIY will kits are drafted in accordance with the Wills Act 1837 and come with step-by-step instructions. Download in 60 seconds and finish in an afternoon.
Self-help template, not legal advice. WillSafe UK is a trading name of WSC Group Ltd. We are not solicitors and we do not provide legal advice. Our products are self-help templates and guides for England & Wales. Will-writing is not a reserved legal activity under the Legal Services Act 2007. For complex estates, blended families, business assets or foreign property, please speak to a qualified solicitor. See our full disclaimer.