A DIY Will allows you to easily make a simple Will online instantly from as little as £49.50. You decide and put in writing who receives what from your estate. Your estate is made up of your house, savings and investments, insurance and any sentimental items. A Will ensures that your final wishes are secured, and your loved ones are protected.

For many, a DIY standard Will is sufficient to take care of basic preferences such as who your executors are, who you want to benefit from your estate and any simple funeral wishes. However, everybody’s needs and circumstances are different and that’s where our qualified consultants step in, providing expert advice tailored to your exact requirements and choices.

What are the advantages of a DIY Will?

It’s cheaper.  You are in complete control of the contents.

It saves time – if someone is very unwell and likely to die soon, a DIY Will can be a suitable way for them to put their wishes in writing quickly and in a less stressful environment. The Will needs to be witnessed by a medical practitioner and another witness who can confirm that the person was of sound mind when they made the Will.

You can keep your personal matters private – some people do not want to discuss their estate with anyone else. A DIY Will lets you keep your wishes for what happens to your estate after you die between you and your witnesses.

How can I make a DIY Will?

If you’re going to make an online DIY Will, you should make sure that:

• You are over 18 and have the mental capacity to make a Will
• The Will is signed, dated and witnessed by two adults who are over the age of 18
• You follow the instructions in the Will kit very carefully
• You are specific in describing who you are leaving which of your assets to. For example, you should refer to family members by their full name to avoid any ambiguity
• The spelling, in particular the names of people or any other beneficiaries, is all correct – you would be surprised how often names are misspelt in Wills!
• You destroy any previous Wills and the new Will states that it replaces all previous versions
• You sign the Will correctly
• You tell your executor where your Will is stored

Who shouldn’t make a DIY Will?

There are some circumstances which could mean that a DIY Will is not suitable for you. These include if:

• You own property abroad
• You own property in the UK that you wish to protect
• You have been married and divorced
• You are trying to reduce your inheritance tax bill
• You have foreign investments or bank accounts
• You own a business that you’re leaving to someone under your Will
• You have dependants other than your immediate family who rely on you financially
• Your Will includes any wishes that are even slightly complex or could be misunderstood

What are the risks associated with DIY Wills?

There are certain things you should bear in mind when making a DIY Will.

While a DIY Will may save you money in the short term, should any problems arise with the Will after your death, rectifying them could be very costly for your beneficiaries or family members.

What’s more, depending on your circumstances, if you haven’t received tailored professional advice before making your Will, your estate may not be as tax efficient as it could be.

If the Will is invalid or ambiguous as a result of mistakes you made whilst writing it, you will not have legal recourse against anyone.

 Read our Expert Guide to help you understand if a DIY Will is suitable for your circumstances: Should You Write Your Own Will?