⚠️ This guide was researched and updated in May 2026. Laws and regulations change frequently. For specific legal advice regarding your jurisdiction, please consult with local legal counsel.
Online Will & Estate Planning Guides
Plain-language guides on making a will online, navigating inheritance tax, and planning your estate, covering the rules in multiple jurisdictions
Legal Guides by Country
Browse legal guides organised by specific countries and jurisdictions.
Who Can Draft and Sign a Will
Learn about the legal requirements for drafting and signing a valid will
What Happens Without a Will
Understanding intestacy laws and what happens when someone dies without a will
How Inheritance Tax May Apply Around the World
Guide to how inheritance tax rules may differ between countries
Physical vs Digital Signatures
Understanding the legal validity of physical and digital signatures on wills
Property Will Requirements
Special requirements for including property in your will
Common Will Mistakes
Common mistakes to avoid when creating your will
Inheritance Surprises
What inheritance law decides by default, cited to its source, jurisdiction by jurisdiction
UK Inheritance Tax: How Long-Term Residence May Apply
How the UK switched its inheritance tax test from domicile to long-term residence in April 2025, and why it typically does not change which assets need a will.
Choosing a Will-Writing Service
Compare the main routes to writing a will (solicitor, professional will writer, online will maker or DIY kit) and how to pick the right one.
Choosing a Will Writer in the UK
How to choose a UK will-writing service: solicitor, licensed will writer, online will maker or DIY kit.
Choosing a Will Service in the US
How to choose a US will service: estate-planning attorney, online will maker or DIY form.
Choosing a Will Service in Canada
How to choose a Canadian will service: lawyer or notary, online will maker or will kit.
Choosing a Will Service in Australia
How to choose an Australian will service: solicitor, public trustee, online will maker or will kit.
Choosing a Will Service in India
How to choose an Indian will service: advocate, online will maker or self-drafted will, plus registration and witnessing.
Making a Will in Northern Ireland
How wills work in Northern Ireland, a separate UK jurisdiction, including witness and age rules, revocation on marriage, and how intestacy differs from England and Wales.
Scottish vs English Wills: Key Differences
How wills differ between Scotland and England & Wales: witness count, the legal rights protecting a spouse and children in Scotland, and whether marriage revokes an existing will.
How Much Does a Will Cost in the UK?
What a will typically costs in the UK: DIY kit, online will service and solicitor price ranges compared, with what each route includes and what tends to drive the price.
Can I Write My Own Will?
Whether you can legally write your own will, what makes a DIY will valid (witnessing, mental capacity, signing and storage), and when a professional is worth it.
Do I Need a Solicitor to Write a Will?
You do not legally need a solicitor to make a valid UK will: when professional advice adds value versus an online or DIY route, and how the costs compare.
Do I Need an Attorney to Write a Will in the US?
You do not have to use an attorney to make a valid US will: what state law actually requires on signing and witnessing, and when advice adds value.
Do I Need a Lawyer to Write a Will in Canada?
You do not have to use a lawyer to make a valid Canadian will: what provincial law requires, how the Quebec notarial will differs, and when advice adds value.
Do I Need a Solicitor to Write a Will in Australia?
You do not have to use a solicitor to make a valid Australian will: what state and territory law requires, the public trustee route, and when advice adds value.
Do I Need an Advocate to Write a Will in India?
You do not have to use an advocate to make a valid Indian will and registration is optional: what the law requires, and when advice adds value.
UK Pensions and Inheritance Tax: What May Change From April 2027
How unused pension funds and death benefits are expected to come into the estate for UK inheritance tax, what stays outside, and what executors typically need to have organised.
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