How to Make a Will Online UK 2026 | Costs, Services & Legal Requirements

Key facts: Over 32 million UK adults do not have a will. Without one, the rules of intestacy decide who inherits — which may not reflect your wishes. Making a will online takes 15–30 minutes and costs from £90 in 2026.

Making a will is one of the most important financial and legal steps you can take — yet more than half of UK adults do not have one. Without a valid will, the intestacy rules automatically determine who inherits your estate, who looks after your children, and who handles your affairs. These rules may bear no relation to your actual wishes.

The good news is that making a will in the UK has never been easier or more affordable. Online will services have transformed the market — you can now create a legally valid will from home in under 30 minutes, for as little as £90, without needing a solicitor appointment. This guide explains exactly how to make a will online in the UK in 2026, what it costs, which services to consider, and when you need a solicitor instead.

What Is a Will and Why Do You Need One?

A will (formally called a last will and testament) is a legal document that sets out your wishes for what happens to your estate when you die. It names the people or organisations who will inherit your assets (beneficiaries), appoints someone to carry out your wishes (executor), and — critically if you have children under 18 — names who you want to act as guardian if both parents die.

Without a Will	With a Will
Intestacy rules decide who inherits — not you	You decide exactly who gets what
Unmarried partners get nothing by default	Unmarried partners can be named as beneficiaries
Courts appoint a guardian for your children	You name the guardian you trust
No control over funeral wishes	You can specify funeral and burial preferences
Estate may take longer and cost more to administer	Executor you chose handles your affairs efficiently
Stepchildren and close friends excluded by default	Anyone can be named as a beneficiary
Potential for family disputes	Clear legal document reduces risk of disputes

Unmarried couples: In England and Wales, unmarried partners have no automatic right of inheritance under intestacy rules — regardless of how long you have been together or whether you own property jointly. Without a will, your partner could be left with nothing. Making a will is especially important if you are not married or in a civil partnership.

How to Make a Will Online UK — Step by Step

Making a will online follows the same basic process across all the main providers. Here is exactly what to expect:

Step	What Happens	Time
1. Choose a service	Select an online will provider (see comparison below)	5 minutes
2. Create an account	Register with your name and email address	2 minutes
3. Complete the questionnaire	Answer guided questions about your assets, beneficiaries, executor and guardians	15–25 minutes
4. Review your will draft	Check the generated document carefully before paying	5 minutes
5. Pay and receive your will	Download your completed will as a PDF	Instant or up to 5 days (depending on service)
6. Print your will	Print the document — it must be a physical signed document to be legally valid	2 minutes
7. Sign in front of two witnesses	Sign the will with two independent witnesses present who also sign	10 minutes
8. Store your will safely	Keep the original in a secure place and tell your executor where it is	Ongoing

Before you start, gather these details: Full names and addresses of all beneficiaries (people inheriting), your executor (person who carries out your wishes), guardian for children if applicable, a rough list of your main assets (property, savings, investments, personal items of value), and details of any specific gifts you want to leave.

What Makes a Will Legally Valid in the UK?

A will is only legally valid in England and Wales if it meets the requirements of the Wills Act 1837. The rules are straightforward but must be followed exactly — any error can invalidate your will.

Legal Requirement	Detail
You must be 18 or over	Anyone under 18 cannot make a valid will in England and Wales (with limited exceptions for military personnel)
You must have mental capacity	You must understand what a will is, what you own, and who you are leaving it to (known as “testamentary capacity”)
The will must be in writing	Verbal wills are not valid. It must be a written or printed physical document
You must sign the will	You must sign (or make your mark) at the bottom of the will
Two witnesses must be present	Both witnesses must watch you sign and then sign themselves
Witnesses cannot be beneficiaries	If a witness is also a beneficiary, that gift to them becomes void (though the rest of the will remains valid)
Witnesses must be over 18	Both witnesses must be adults
No date required by law	But it is strongly recommended to include the date to avoid confusion if you make multiple wills

Scotland has different rules. Scottish law on wills differs from England and Wales — including rules on “legal rights” that allow children and spouses to claim a share of certain assets regardless of the will. If you are based in Scotland, ensure the service you use is designed for Scottish law, or consult a Scottish solicitor.

Online Will Services UK 2026 — Cost Comparison

The UK online will market has grown significantly. Here is an honest comparison of the main services available in 2026:

Service	Single Will	Couples/Mirror Wills	Updates	Key Feature
Make a Will Online	From £29.99	From £49.99	Included	SRA-authorised — only online provider authorised to give legal advice
Farewill	£100	£160	£10/year (first year free)	4.9 stars / 20,000+ Trustpilot reviews; specialist review included
Beyond	£90	£135	£10/year subscription	Pay only when you print; National Will Registration included
Which? Wills	£99 (self-service) / £119 (with review)	£149–£169	Varies by tier	Backed by independent consumer organisation Which?
Co-op Legal Services	£150	£270	Separate fee	SRA-regulated law firm; full solicitor oversight
Octopus Legacy	£150	£250	Separate fee	Online, video or in-person — same price for all options
Solicitor (high street)	£150–£400	£250–£600	New will cost	Face-to-face advice; essential for complex estates
Free Wills Month	Free	Free (mirror wills)	N/A	For over-55s; February/March and September/October annually
Will Aid	Suggested £120 donation	Suggested £200 donation	N/A	November only; donation goes to charity

Prices correct as of April 2026. Always verify current pricing directly with the provider before purchasing. Services vary in terms of regulation, review process, and features included.

Make a Will Online UK — Which Service Is Best for You?

Your Situation	Best Option	Why
Simple estate, want cheapest legal option	Make a Will Online or Beyond	From £29.99–£90; legally valid; quick to complete
Want maximum peace of mind and support	Farewill	4.9 Trustpilot, 20,000+ reviews, specialist checks every will
Want legal advice as part of the service	Make a Will Online or Co-op Legal	Only SRA-authorised online options that can give legal advice
Aged 55+ with simple estate	Free Wills Month	Completely free via participating solicitors twice yearly
Happy to donate to charity	Will Aid (November)	Free solicitor will in exchange for suggested £120 donation
Complex estate — overseas property, business, trust	Qualified solicitor	Online services not suitable; get specialist legal advice
Couple wanting mirror wills	Farewill or Beyond	Couples pricing saves vs two separate wills

What to Include in Your Will

A well-drafted will should cover all of the following. Online services guide you through each section with prompts:

Section	What to Include
Personal details	Full legal name, address, date of birth
Revocation clause	Statement that this will replaces all previous wills (standard — most services include automatically)
Executor	Person or persons responsible for carrying out your wishes; name a back-up (substitute executor) in case your first choice cannot act
Guardians	If you have children under 18, name who you want to care for them if both parents die
Specific gifts	Individual items or sums of money left to specific people (e.g. “I leave my car to my brother John”)
Residuary estate	Everything left after specific gifts and debts — who gets the remainder and in what proportions
Charitable gifts	Any portion or amount left to charity — also reduces inheritance tax if 10% or more of net estate
Funeral wishes	Burial or cremation preference, any specific requests — not legally binding but provides guidance
Trusts (if needed)	For children under 18, a trust can hold their inheritance until they reach a specified age

Executor tip: Choose someone you trust who is organised and ideally younger than you. Tell them now that you have named them — they need to know where your will is stored. Many people name their spouse or partner as first executor and an adult child or sibling as back-up.

How to Sign Your Will Correctly — Witnessing Rules

The witnessing step is where many DIY wills go wrong. Follow these rules exactly:

Rule	Detail
All three must be present simultaneously	You, witness 1, and witness 2 must all be in the same room at the same time
You sign first	Sign at the end of the will in the presence of both witnesses
Both witnesses then sign	Each witness signs and adds their name, address and occupation
Witnesses cannot be beneficiaries	If a witness inherits under the will, that gift fails (but the rest of the will remains valid)
Witnesses cannot be the spouse/civil partner of a beneficiary	Their gift also fails if their partner is named as a witness
Witnesses must be 18+	No minimum age other than being a legal adult
No need for a solicitor to witness	Any two independent adults can witness — neighbours, colleagues, friends
No need to tell witnesses what is in the will	They are only witnessing your signature, not the content

Common mistake: Never sign your will before your witnesses arrive. The witnesses must see you sign. A will signed in advance and then shown to witnesses is invalid under the Wills Act 1837.

Where to Store Your Will

A will is only useful if it can be found after your death. Here are your main storage options:

Option	Cost	Pros	Cons
At home (secure location)	Free	Immediately accessible	Can be lost, damaged, or destroyed; executor must know location
With your solicitor	£25–£100/year	Professional safekeeping; they notify executor on death	Annual fee; can be hard to retrieve if solicitor retires
National Will Register (Certainty)	£30 one-off	Searchable by executors after death; peace of mind	Does not store the physical will — just registers its existence
Your bank	Varies	Secure	Access can be difficult after death; some banks charge fees
Online will service storage	Often included or £10/year	Digital copy always accessible; some services store physical copy	Only a PDF — you still need a signed physical original
Probate Registry (Principal Registry)	£20	Completely official; automatically found during probate	Slight delay in lodging; only for completed, signed wills

Register your will with the National Will Register at Certainty.co.uk for a one-off fee of around £30. This ensures your executor can find it after you die — even if the physical document is stored somewhere they do not initially check. Always tell your executor where the original signed will is kept.

When to Update Your Will

Your will should be reviewed whenever your circumstances change significantly. Key trigger events include:

Life Event	Action Required
Marriage or civil partnership	Marriage automatically revokes a previous will in England and Wales — you must make a new one
Divorce or separation	Your ex-spouse is treated as having died — gifts to them and their executor appointment lapse, but you should update anyway
Birth of a child or grandchild	Update to include them and review guardian appointments
Death of a beneficiary or executor	Update to name replacements
Major change in assets	New property, business, inheritance or significant change in wealth
Moving abroad or acquiring overseas property	Complex cross-border issues — may need separate wills in different jurisdictions
Change in tax rules	Inheritance tax threshold changes may affect how you structure your estate
Estrangement from a beneficiary	Update to reflect changed relationship

Marriage invalidates your will. If you marry or enter a civil partnership after making a will, that will is automatically revoked under Section 18 of the Wills Act 1837. You must make a new will after marriage. Many people do not realise this and die intestate as a result.

Online Will vs Solicitor — When Do You Need a Solicitor?

Online will services are suitable for the majority of UK adults with straightforward estates. A solicitor is essential in certain situations:

Use an Online Service If...	Use a Solicitor If...
Simple estate — property, savings, pension, personal items	You own property abroad or have complex overseas assets
Married or in civil partnership leaving estate to spouse/children	Blended family — children from previous relationships with competing interests
No significant inheritance tax concerns (estate under £325,000 or £500,000 with residence nil-rate band)	Large estate with inheritance tax planning needs (estate over £1m)
No business assets or straightforward sole trader	You own a business or have complex business succession needs
No trusts required	You need a discretionary trust, life interest trust, or trust for disabled beneficiary
No disputes anticipated	You anticipate the will being contested or family relationships are complex
UK assets only	You have assets in multiple countries

Inheritance Tax and Your Will

Making a will also gives you the opportunity to structure your estate tax-efficiently. Key inheritance tax thresholds for 2026/27:

Threshold	Amount	Notes
Nil-rate band (NRB)	£325,000	No IHT on estates up to this amount; unused NRB transfers to surviving spouse
Residence nil-rate band (RNRB)	£175,000	Additional allowance when leaving main home to direct descendants; tapers above £2m estate
Combined threshold (married couple)	Up to £1,000,000	Both NRBs and both RNRBs combined for married couples/civil partners
Standard IHT rate	40%	On everything above the threshold
Reduced IHT rate	36%	If you leave 10% or more of net estate to charity
Spouse/civil partner exemption	Unlimited	Assets left to spouse or civil partner are fully IHT-exempt
Charity exemption	Unlimited	Assets left to registered UK charities are fully IHT-exempt

IHT thresholds are frozen until at least April 2028 under current government policy. Always verify current thresholds at gov.uk/inheritance-tax. For estates above £1m or with complex assets, consult a qualified solicitor or estate planner.

Free Ways to Make a Will in the UK

If cost is a concern, there are legitimate free routes to making a will:

Free Option	Who It Is For	When Available	How to Access
Free Wills Month	Adults aged 55 and over with simple estates	February/March and September/October annually	freewillsmonth.org.uk — find a participating solicitor near you
Will Aid	Any adult with simple estate	November annually	willaid.org.uk — suggested donation of £120 to charity (not compulsory)
Through your employer	Employees with legal expenses benefit	Year-round	Check your employee benefits package or HR team
Through home insurance legal cover	Policyholders with legal expenses add-on	Year-round	Check your home insurance policy documents
Trade union member benefit	Union members	Year-round	Check with your union — many offer free or discounted will writing

The Bottom Line

Making a will online in the UK in 2026 is straightforward, affordable and legally valid. For most people with straightforward estates, an online service costing £90–£150 produces exactly the same legal outcome as a solicitor charging £300–£400. The most important step is simply to make one — 32 million UK adults have no will at all, leaving their families exposed. If your estate is complex — overseas property, business assets, inheritance tax planning, or family disputes — always use a qualified solicitor. For everyone else: choose a service, set aside 30 minutes, and get it done.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is making a will online legally valid in the UK?

Yes — a will made online is legally valid in England and Wales provided it meets the requirements of the Wills Act 1837: you must be 18 or over, have mental capacity, and the will must be signed by you in the presence of two independent adult witnesses who also sign. The method of drafting (online, solicitor, or DIY) does not affect legal validity — execution does.

How much does it cost to make a will online in the UK in 2026?

Online will services in the UK cost from around £90 for a single will (Beyond) to £150 (Co-op Legal Services or Octopus Legacy). Farewill charges £100 for a single will and £160 for couples. This compares to £150–£400 for a solicitor-drafted simple will. Free options are available through Free Wills Month (over-55s) and Will Aid (November).

Does marriage cancel my will?

Yes. In England and Wales, marriage or entering a civil partnership automatically revokes a previous will under Section 18 of the Wills Act 1837. You must make a new will after getting married. Divorce does not revoke a will but treats the ex-spouse as having predeceased you, so gifts to them and their appointment as executor lapse. You should still update your will after a divorce.

Who can witness my will?

Any two independent adults aged 18 or over can witness your will — neighbours, colleagues, or friends. They cannot be beneficiaries of the will, and they cannot be the spouse or civil partner of a beneficiary. All three of you — you and both witnesses — must be in the same room when you sign. A solicitor is not required to witness a will.

What happens if I die without a will in the UK?

If you die without a valid will (intestate), the rules of intestacy under the Administration of Estates Act 1925 decide who inherits your estate. Your married or civil partner inherits the first £322,000 plus half the remainder. Children share the other half. Unmarried partners, stepchildren, close friends and charities receive nothing. The court appoints an administrator to handle your estate.

Do I need to register my will?

There is no legal requirement to register a will in England and Wales. However, registering with the National Will Register (Certainty) for around £30 ensures your executor can locate it after your death. The Probate Registry also becomes public record once a Grant of Probate is issued — but registration before death is voluntary.

Can I change my will after making it?

Yes. You can update your will at any time while you have mental capacity. Minor changes can be made via a codicil (a separate document that amends the will) — this must also be signed and witnessed. For significant changes, it is usually cleaner to make an entirely new will and explicitly revoke the previous one. Many online services offer update subscriptions for around £10 per year.

Is will writing regulated in the UK?

Will writing is not a reserved legal activity in England and Wales, which means it is not automatically regulated. Solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Most online will services are not SRA-regulated but may be members of professional bodies like the Institute of Professional Willwriters (IPW) or Society of Will Writers (SWW), which require minimum professional indemnity insurance. Make a Will Online is one of the few online providers authorised by the SRA to provide legal advice. For complex estates, always use an SRA-regulated solicitor.

Related Guides

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Always verify information with official sources or consult a qualified solicitor before making any legal decision.

Kael Tripton

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How to Make a Will Online UK 2026 — Complete Guide