⚠️ 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.
Can I Write My Own Will?
Yes. In England & Wales there is no rule that a will must come from a solicitor. What decides whether a homemade will works is not who wrote it, but whether it meets the legal requirements for a valid will. This guide explains those requirements in plain language and when professional help is worth it
Yes, you can write your own will
There is no legal requirement in England & Wales for a will to be drawn up by a solicitor, so you are generally free to write your own: by hand, on a computer, or using an online will service. A will is judged by whether it satisfies the formalities in the Wills Act 1837, not by who prepared it. The catch is that a homemade will that misses one of those formalities can fail entirely, even when it sets out your wishes clearly. The sections below cover what makes a DIY will valid, and where it can go wrong. This is a general description of the framework, not advice about your own situation.
What makes a DIY will valid
Four things do most of the work in deciding whether a will you write yourself is legally effective. Each is a general summary; a qualified professional can confirm how it applies to a particular estate.
Signed correctly
The will must be in writing and signed by you (or by someone at your direction, in your presence), with the intention that your signature gives the will effect.
Properly witnessed
Two witnesses must be present at the same time when you sign, and each must then sign. Independent witnesses, never a beneficiary or their spouse, keep every gift safe.
Made with capacity
You need to understand what a will does, roughly what you own, and who might expect to benefit. Where capacity could be questioned, professional advice is sensible.
Stored safely
Keep the signed original safe and tell your executors where it is. A will that cannot be found when needed can be treated as though it never existed.
Witnessing: the step most homemade wills get wrong
The most common reason a DIY will fails is witnessing. Under the Wills Act 1837 you must sign (or acknowledge your signature) in the presence of two witnesses who are both there at the same time, and each witness must then sign while you watch. Getting the order or the “present together” part wrong can invalidate the whole will.
Just as important is who witnesses. A witness should be an adult who is not a beneficiary and is not married to or in a civil partnership with one. If a beneficiary witnesses the will, the will usually stays valid but that person loses their gift, which is an easy and painful mistake to make at the kitchen table. Choosing two genuinely independent witnesses avoids it. For more on how signing and witnessing rules differ between jurisdictions, see our guide to physical and digital will signatures.
When a professional is worth it
A carefully prepared DIY or online will can suit simple wishes and a straightforward estate. But some situations carry more risk if the wording is not right, and professional advice is usually worth the cost:
Blended families or second marriages; business interests; assets or beneficiaries abroad; a wish to set up a trust or make provision for a vulnerable person; or any real chance that someone might challenge the will. In those cases the price of advice is generally small next to the cost of a will that does not work as intended. If you are weighing up your options, our guide to choosing a will-writing service compares the main routes, and how much a will costs in the UK sets out typical price ranges for each.
Frequently asked questions
Can I legally write my own will?
In England & Wales there is no rule that a will has to be prepared by a solicitor, so you are generally free to write your own. What matters is not who drafts it but whether the finished document meets the legal requirements for a valid will: it must be in writing, signed correctly, and properly witnessed. A will that misses one of those steps can fail even though it clearly sets out your wishes.
Is a handwritten or homemade will valid?
It can be. A will can be typed or handwritten; what makes it valid is meeting the formal requirements rather than the format. That said, homemade wills more often run into problems (unclear wording, missing witnesses, or gifts that cannot take effect), which can lead to disputes or a partial intestacy. Being careful with wording and witnessing matters as much as the medium.
Who can witness my will?
A will in England & Wales generally needs to be signed in the presence of two witnesses who are both present at the same time and who then each sign. A witness should be an adult who is not a beneficiary, and not married to or in a civil partnership with a beneficiary, because under the Wills Act 1837 a beneficiary who acts as a witness usually loses their gift, even though the will itself stays valid. Choosing independent witnesses avoids that trap.
Do I need mental capacity to make my own will?
Yes. To make a valid will you generally need the mental capacity to understand what a will does, to have a broad idea of what you own, and to appreciate who might reasonably expect to benefit. This is a long-standing legal test. If capacity might later be questioned (for example because of illness or age), it is sensible to take professional advice and keep a record, so the will is harder to challenge.
When is writing my own will not a good idea?
Straightforward wishes and a simple estate can suit a carefully prepared DIY or online will. A professional is usually worth it where things are more complex, for example blended families, business interests, assets or beneficiaries abroad, trusts, or where someone may want to challenge the will. In those situations the cost of advice is generally small next to the risk of a will that does not work as intended.
Where should I store my will once it is signed?
Keep the signed original somewhere safe and dry, and make sure your executors know where it is. A will that cannot be found when needed can be treated as though it never existed. Options include keeping it at home in a fireproof container, leaving it with a solicitor or a professional storage service, or storing a clear record digitally alongside the original. Avoid removing staples or attaching anything, as marks on a will can raise questions later.
Related legal guides
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.
How Much Does a Will Cost 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.
Physical & Digital Will Signatures
What makes a will formally valid, and the practical steps around signing and witnessing to get right.
What Happens Without a Will
Who inherits under the rules of intestacy if you die without a will, and why writing one lets you decide instead.
Write your will with guidance built in
You can write your own will and keep control of every decision, with structured prompts that help you cover the essentials and get the signing and witnessing right, or a professional for advice where your situation is more involved.
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