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56% of UK adults have no will. Unmarried partners inherit nothing under intestacy. Making a will costs from £0 (Free Wills Month) to £300 at a solicitor. Here is the complete step-by-step guide for 2026. Updated April 2026 How to Make a Will UK — Step by Step
Will Costs UK 2026
Intestacy Rules — What Happens Without a Will in England & Wales
The most critical case: unmarried cohabiting couples. Regardless of how long together, a partner has NO automatic right to inherit under intestacy in England and Wales. This is the most commonly overlooked estate planning risk. Free Wills Month — How It WorksFree Wills Month runs in October and March each year. A coalition of charities (Age UK, Cancer Research UK, RNIB, British Heart Foundation and others) partners with solicitors across England, Wales and Scotland. People aged 55 and over can have a simple will written free by a participating solicitor. You are invited but not obligated to leave a legacy gift to one of the charities. The will is professionally drafted and as legally valid as a paid will. Book at freewillsmonth.org.uk or willaid.org.uk during October or March — popular, so book early. Digital Assets — Do Not Forget TheseIn 2026, digital assets are increasingly important: cryptocurrency (provide access instructions separately — not private keys in the will itself as wills become public on probate); online savings and investment platforms; PayPal/Wise balances; loyalty points; domain names and websites; social media accounts. Executors cannot access digital accounts without passwords — consider leaving a Password Manager access instruction with a trusted person alongside your will. KAELTRIPTON VERDICT Making a will costs £150-£300 at a solicitor or free during Free Wills Month (October/March, age 55+). Without one, the intestacy rules apply: unmarried partners receive nothing; children's guardians are chosen by a court; your assets follow a fixed legal formula. 56% of UK adults have no will. The most overlooked risk: cohabiting partners with zero automatic inheritance rights. Make yours now. 56% Have No Will — Unmarried Partners Inherit NOTHING — Free in October/March (55+) Q: How much does a will cost UK 2026? A: Solicitor: £150-£300 (simple). Mirror wills: £200-£400. Free Wills Month (Oct/March, 55+): free. Online (Which? Wills/Farewill): £90-£150. DIY: £0-£50. Q: What happens without a will UK? A: Intestacy rules apply. Unmarried partners inherit NOTHING. Estate distributed by fixed legal formula. Children's guardians decided by court. Q: Is a DIY will legal UK? A: Yes if signed by you and witnessed by two non-beneficiaries simultaneously in your presence. Error risk is significant — solicitor or online service recommended for anything beyond simple. Q: Who needs a will most urgently? A: Unmarried cohabiting couples (zero inheritance rights without will); parents of young children; those with significant assets; anyone wanting to leave something to charity. Related Articles This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Always consult an FCA-regulated adviser before taking out insurance or legal products. Figures verified April 2026. |
What makes a will legally valid in England and Wales (checked 24 September 2026)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| In writing and signed | By you, or by someone else in your presence and at your direction (Wills Act 1837, section 9) |
| Two witnesses | Both present at the same time when you sign or acknowledge your signature, and each then signs |
| Witnesses cannot inherit | A gift to a witness, or to a witness's spouse or civil partner, is void (section 15) |
| Minimum age | 18, except for privileged wills made on active military service (section 7) |
| Marriage or civil partnership | Usually cancels an existing will (section 18), so update it |
Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own rules. A solicitor or professional will writer can check a will before it is signed.
Sources: Wills Act 1837, legislation.gov.uk
