Here’s the thing. Writing a will doesn’t have to be a chore. Whether you’re thinking about how to make a will for the first time, updating it, or wondering how you can make a will quickly, it’s all manageable if you break it down. This blog is your guide, your roadmap to creating a will that’s a legally binding document, covers money, property and possessions, and protects every family member who matters to you for the long term.
Contents
What Counts As Making A Will, And Why Is It A Good Idea?
A will is a legal document that spells out how your money, property and possessions are handled when you pass away. You get to name who inherits your estate and who ends up with specific items or personal possessions. You can also appoint a guardian for your children, leave gifts to charity, or set up trusts, even outline your wishes in a Living Will or Advance Decision. Without one, the rules of intestacy take over, and that might mean your assets end up in ways you disapprove of. That’s a dying interstate, and it’s messy.
What’s The Simplest Route To Make A Will?
Option 1: Use A Professional Will Writing Service
This is the most popular and reliable path. In 2025, 49 % of people who made a will used a legal professional such as a solicitor. The rest went for specialist will writers, DIY services or hybrid setups. Why does that matter? Because not everyone offering services is regulated, and many people mistakenly believe they are. So stick to certified professionals. The best way to create a will often means using a legal professional, affordable, transparent, and safe for the long term.
Option 2: Do it yourself online
Few online services offer online will writing, where you can complete one in about 15 minutes. This is ideal if your estate is straightforward, with no complex assets or disputes, and you’re comfortable working online. One drawback of making a will online is that it can’t fully account for complex personal or family situations. Without the guidance of a legal professional, you risk unclear wording or missing key legal requirements, which could make the will invalid. It may also be harder to ensure the document is truly legally binding, especially if it isn’t signed and witnessed correctly.
What Do I Need Before I Start?
Gather this:
- A list of your assets—money, property and possessions, and the amount of money in savings or investments
- Details of debts or liabilities
- Names of each family member or person you’d like to inherit your estate, including spouse or civil partner, children, or charities
- The person you want to act as executor
- Any guardians, if you have children under 18
- Any plans for trusts, digital assets, or Living Wills and Advance Decisions
Being prepared makes the process smoother—and faster.
Step-By-Step: How To Create A Will?
- Pick your method—professional, charity scheme, or DIY
- Share your details: assets, people, wishes
- Let the provider or service draft the will for you
- Review it closely
- Sign it—it must be signed and witnessed by two people who aren’t beneficiaries.
- Store it safely—professionals might offer storage, or use a secure place at home or with your solicitor.
Once signed and witnessed, it’s a legally binding and enforceable lawfully binding document.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age can I make a will?
From the age of 18 in England or Wales, you can make a will. If you’re married or in a civil partnership, it’s especially wise to make a will early.
Should trusts or digital assets be included?
Yes. Things like digital legacies (YouTube accounts, email, crypto) are increasingly common—39 % of adults include or intend to include them. Trusts are another tool people use for more complex long-term planning.
What happens if I die intestate—without a will?
Your estate is divided by law—not your wishes. Common-law partners, friends or charities might get nothing. Your estate may end up being handled by the probate service under default rules.
What About The Probate Process? Is It Quicker If I Have A Will?
Usually, for July–September 2024, probate grants averaged around 7 weeks from application to issue, faster than before. By December 2024, average waits dropped to just 6 1⁄2 weeks, and digital submissions are even faster, sometimes just a few days from document upload to grant.
Anything coming in the future that affects estate planning?
Yes. From 2027, pensions will be included in inheritance tax (IHT) calculations. That could slow probate timelines and push more estates into IHT territory.
Why These Small Steps Matter
- You’re in control of which family member or cause inherits your estate
- You can name guardians, leave gifts, or donate to charity
- You reduce stress and reduce the amount of money and time loved ones spend wrestling with probate
- You avoid the mess of dying intestate and follow blanket rules instead of your wishes
How Do You Create A Will, In Plain Terms
- Decide how to make a will – a legal professional or online
- Collect details: assets, debts, people, special items, wishes
- Draft it
- Review it
- Sign it with two independent witnesses
- Store it safely and let someone know where it is
- Update as needed – marriage, new kids, moving abroad (Ex Pat Wills), or changing laws like IHT
Why Now Matters?
With only about 41% of UK adults owning a will and many just putting it off, you’re already ahead by tackling this now. Especially with looming IHT changes, clarity today saves headaches tomorrow. You don’t need drama. Keep it simple, get it done, and rest easy knowing your legally binding document reflects your wishes. Whether you’re asking how to make a will or how to create a will for the first time, this guide breaks it down clearly.
Ready To Get Started?
Paradigm Wills & Legal Services makes creating a will straightforward, whether it’s handwritten, a trust, Living Wills, or Ex-Pat planning. Based in the UK, we offer fixed-price packages, secure storage, and no-obligation quotes. We make estate planning simple, personal, and stress-free. Book your first chat with a legal professional today.
Leicester Office: 0116 464 7055
London Office: 0208 194 7189
Email: [email protected]
Reach out via our contact form and start protecting your estate—for yourself and your loved ones.
