Making a Will – Introduction

Your will lets you decide what happens to your money, property and possessions after your death.

• If you make a will you can also make sure you don’t pay more Inheritance Tax than you need to.

• You can write your will yourself, but you should get advice if your will isn’t straightforward.

• You need to get your will formally witnessed and signed to make it legally valid.

• If you want to update your will, you need to make an official alteration (called a ‘codicil’) or make a new will.

• If you die without a will, the law says who gets what.

Your will should set out:

• who you want to benefit from your will

• who should look after any children under 18

• who is going to sort out your estate and carry out your wishes after your death (your executor)

• what happens if the people you want to benefit die before you

You can get advice from a professional if your will isn’t straightforward, eg:

• you share a property with someone who isn’t your husband, wife or civil partner

• you want to leave money or property to a dependant who can’t care for themselves

• you have several family members who may make a claim on your will, e.g. a second spouse or children from another marriage

• your permanent home is outside the UK

• you have property overseas

• you have a business

You can keep your will at your home or store it with:

• your solicitor

• your bank

• a company that offers the storage of wills – you can search online
  the London Probate Service

Read full guidance on storing your will with the Probate Service (leaflet PA7) .

You should tell your executor (the person you’ve chosen to carry out your will), close friend or relative where your will is.

Making a Will Part 2 – Legality and updating your will>