Free Online Will Writer UK

Draft Your UK Will for Free Our Online Tool Makes Estate Planning Easy and Accessible

Thinking about writing a will can feel daunting. Many people put it off, thinking it’s too complicated, too expensive, or something only for the very wealthy. But the truth is, having a legally valid will is one of the most important things you can do for your loved ones, regardless of your age or the size of your estate.

Our Free Online Will Writer is designed to demystify the process. It guides you step-by-step, helping you create a simple will for free, right from your own home. Let’s explore why a will is so vital and how our tool can help you secure your family’s future.

Why is Having a Will So Important?

If you die without a valid will, you are said to have died 'intestate'. When this happens, strict legal rules, not your personal wishes, decide how your money, property, and possessions (your 'estate') are shared out. This can lead to your assets going to people you wouldn't have chosen, and can cause significant stress and upset for your family at an already difficult time.

Having a will puts you in control. It allows you to:

Decide who inherits your estate: You can ensure your partner, children, friends, or favourite charities receive exactly what you want them to.
Appoint guardians for your children: If you have children under 18, a will is the only way to legally appoint people you trust to look after them.
Choose your executors: These are the people you nominate to carry out the instructions in your will.
Minimise family disputes: A clear will reduces the chance of arguments over your estate.
Potentially reduce Inheritance Tax: With careful planning, a will can help make your estate more tax-efficient.
Specify your funeral wishes: You can state whether you'd prefer a burial or cremation, helping to guide your family.

Introducing Our Free Online Will Writer

We believe that everyone should have access to basic estate planning. That’s why we created the Free Online Will Writer. This simple, intuitive tool is designed for people in England and Wales with straightforward circumstances.

It removes the complexity and cost, allowing you to draft a will in a matter of minutes. It’s a perfect starting point for anyone who wants to protect their loved ones and gain peace of mind without needing to pay for a solicitor.

How to Use Our Free Online Will Writer

Our tool guides you through a series of simple questions. There’s no legal jargon, just plain English.

Step 1: Your Personal Details Enter your full name, address, and marital status. This correctly identifies you as the person making the will (the 'testator').

Step 2: Appoint Your Executors An executor is the person (or people) you trust to manage your estate and ensure your wishes are followed. You can choose up to four. It's often a good idea to name a substitute in case your first choice is unable to act.

Step 3: Appoint Guardian's for Children If you have children under 18, this is a crucial step. You can name the person or people you want to become their legal guardians.

Step 4: Distribute Your Estate This is where you decide who gets what. The tool will help you structure your wishes clearly.

Specific Gifts (Legacies): You can leave specific items (like a piece of jewellery) or fixed sums of money to individuals or charities.
The Residue: This is everything left in your estate after any debts, taxes, and specific gifts have been paid out. You must state who you want to inherit this 'residue'.

Worked Example: Let's say David wants to write his will.

Specific Gift: He wants to leave £2,000 to his brother, Mark.
Residue: He wants the rest of his estate to go to his civil partner, Tom.
Our tool allows David to input these wishes clearly, ensuring there is no confusion. He specifies the £2,000 gift to Mark and then names Tom as the sole beneficiary of the entire residue.

Step 5: Funeral Wishes You can state your preferences for your funeral, for example, whether you wish to be cremated or buried. While not legally binding, this provides invaluable guidance for your family.

Step 6: Review and Generate Your Will Once you’ve filled in all the sections, you can review your answers. When you're happy, the tool will generate your will as a document, ready for you to download and print.

What to do After You Get Your Result

Using the Free Online Will Writer creates a draft document. To make it a legally valid will in England and Wales, you must complete the following steps precisely.

This is the most important part of the process.

Print the will. Do not make any handwritten amendments to it after printing.
Find two independent witnesses. They must be over 18 and of sound mind. Crucially, they cannot be beneficiaries in the will, nor can they be married to or in a civil partnership with a beneficiary. If they are, any gift to that beneficiary will fail.
Sign the will in the presence of both witnesses. Both witnesses must be in the room and see you sign it.
The witnesses must then sign the will in your presence. You must be in the room and watch them both sign. They also need to add their name, address, and occupation.

Once signed and witnessed correctly, store your will in a safe place where your executor can find it. Let your executor know where it is, but you don't have to show them what's in it.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Your Will

Using a beneficiary as a witness: This is the most common mistake and will invalidate their inheritance.
Not being specific: Instead of "my watch," write "my silver Rolex Submariner watch." This avoids confusion if you own more than one.
Forgetting to name a beneficiary for the residue: This can result in a partial intestacy, where the law decides who gets the remainder of your estate.
Not updating your will: A will should be reviewed every few years or after a major life event. Marriage or entering a civil partnership automatically revokes an existing will.
Thinking the online draft is the final legal document: The will has no legal power until it is printed and correctly signed and witnessed.

When Should You Use a Solicitor Instead?

Our free online will writer is ideal for simple estates. However, you should seek professional legal advice from a solicitor if your circumstances are more complex, such as:

You have a large estate and need advice on Inheritance Tax planning.
You own a business, farm, or property abroad.
Your family situation is complicated (e.g., children from a previous marriage).
You want to exclude a close family member who might expect to inherit.
You wish to set up a trust in your will.

A will is about distributing what you have when you pass away. But what about providing financial support for your family if you were no longer around to earn an income, or if you became seriously ill? This is where products like life insurance and private medical insurance come in.

As an expert broker, WeCovr helps UK customers find the right protection to sit alongside their estate planning. A will and an insurance policy work together to provide complete peace of mind.

Life Insurance: This policy pays out a tax-free lump sum or a regular income to your loved ones if you pass away during the policy term. It can be used to pay off a mortgage, cover funeral costs, and replace your lost income, ensuring your family can maintain their standard of living. Find out more about life insurance.
Private Medical Insurance (PMI): Good health is your most valuable asset. PMI gives you fast access to high-quality private medical treatment for new, acute conditions that arise after your policy begins. It's important to understand that PMI does not cover pre-existing or chronic conditions. Having PMI can protect your savings and ensure you get the care you need, when you need it, without long waiting lists. Learn more about private medical insurance.

At WeCovr, we understand that every family's needs are different. If you take out a life insurance or PMI policy with us, we may be able to offer you discounts on other types of cover. What's more, all our customers gain complimentary access to CalorieHero, our AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app, helping you stay on top of your health goals.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is an online will legally binding in the UK? Yes, a will created using an online tool is legally binding in England and Wales, but only if it is printed out, signed, and witnessed correctly according to the law. The online part simply generates the document; the physical signing process is what gives it legal force.

2. Who can be a witness for my will? Your witnesses must be aged 18 or over. They cannot be a beneficiary in your will, nor can they be the spouse or civil partner of a beneficiary. They must be physically present to watch you sign the will and then sign it themselves in your presence.

3. What happens if I don't have a will? You will be considered to have died 'intestate'. This means the Rules of Intestacy dictate how your estate is distributed. For example, if you are married with children, your spouse may not automatically inherit everything. If you are unmarried, your partner may receive nothing at all.

4. How often should I update my will? It's wise to review your will every five years and after any significant life event. This includes getting married or divorced, having a child, a beneficiary passing away, or a major change in your financial situation.

Get Started on Your Will Today

Writing a will is a powerful act of care for the people you love. It's your final opportunity to provide for them and ensure your wishes are respected. Don't put it off any longer.

Take the first simple, free, and straightforward step now. Use our Free Online Will Writer to draft your will in minutes and gain invaluable peace of mind.

For expert guidance on life insurance, private medical insurance, and other protection policies to safeguard your family’s financial future, contact WeCovr today for a free, no-obligation quote.