Your Questions Answered
Are your wills really free?
Yes. All wills created via this website are 100% free. There are no catches.
How can that be the case?
We have made it our mission to change the way people get wills. Some 60% of adults in the UK don’t have a will, meaning that well over 30 million people run the risk of having their estates distributed according to the laws of intestacy. We want to help change that.
How do you make money?
We make a small commission on partnerships, and advertising revenue. We feel it is a win-win situation.
Can I really write a will online without a solicitor?
Yes. There is absolutely no need to use a solicitor to draw up your will. We have worked with expert legal advisors to make sure that our wills are fully legal in terms of the wording. Most solicitors use a boiler plate template, whereas our software ensures we create a fully personalised will for you.
What are the requirements to make a will?
You have to be aged 18 or over; be 'of sound mind'; understand what is in your will; and be making the will voluntarily. For a will to be legally binding, when your will is complete, you need to sign it in the presence of two witnesses (who can’t benefit from your will), both of whom must add their own signatures. The correct wording and the correct signing and witnessing of the will are what is needed to make it fully legal.
What can you do for me?
We are full members of The Society of Will Writers and we aim to provide a high quality, convenient, stress-free online will writing service, which won't cost you a penny.
What kind of will am I going to get?
Our online will writing service generates a fully legal will that states what you would like to happen to your possessions when you die, who is to inherit your estate, names executors, nominates guardians for your children if applicable, and specifies your funeral wishes.
Can anyone use your will writing service?
Our will writing service is not suitable if you own or part own a farm, own a business, have property overseas, if you want to set up a Trust, or where you have wishes that could be considered contentious.
How does it work?
We provide you with a series of structured easy to follow questions in plain English for you to answer to create your own personalised will. You can complete your will for free, preview it for free, and download it for free.
How long will it take to write my will?
For the majority of people, it will take less than fifteen minutes. If you need longer, that's OK as our system auto-saves your data as you type it in.
Can I change my will?
Yes, you can easily make changes to your will at any time - for free.
What is an executor and what do they do?
Executors are either individuals or an organisation that you appoint within your will to deal with all aspects of your estate after you’ve passed away. The executors of your will are responsible for making sure that your wishes are carried out and that your estate is settled properly after you die. You can also have multiple executors. After applying for legal authority to deal with your estate (known as probate), the executors will ensure that all your assets are accounted for and paid into your estate and after any debts and funeral expenses have been paid, they will ensure that the estate will be distributed in accordance with your will. Most people choose a professional executor as they are experienced in dealing with tax authorities and legal matters and they can offer independent and impartial advice to your heirs.
What is a guardian and what do they do?
If you die leaving children under the age of 18 and there is no other person living who has parental responsibility, you can choose who you would like to be their guardian in your will. The guardian(s) will be responsible for looking after your children as they grow up, having control over their welfare, health and schooling.
What is a witness and what do they do?
Witnesses are people who see the act of signature and add their signatures and names to the will to prove this. By law your will needs two adult witnesses. The witnesses do not commit themselves to anything by adding their details; they simply witness your signing the will. Please note that for the will to be valid, the witnesses, or their spouses, must not be beneficiaries of the will, which is why we suggest friends, work colleagues or neighbours to be your witnesses.
Where should I store my will?
You can either store your will safely at home or you can pay for a will storage service, or you can store your Will with the Government’s Probate Service. We provide a complimentary 'Will Storage Guide' with every will ordered, that explains your options in detail.
Caution: Do not store your will in a bank safety deposit box, as the bank might not be able to release the contents of the safety deposit box without a grant of probate, and a will is required to apply for a grant of probate!
What tax applies on death?
Under UK law, Inheritance Tax applies upon death. Inheritance Tax, once above the tax free threshold, is directly charged on personal estates on death. Note that if you leave your estate to your spouse or a civil partner, they will inherit your property tax free if they live in the UK.
What happens if I don't make a will?
If you die without making a valid will, also known as dying 'intestate', then your estate will be subject to intestacy rules. As a consequence, a person that you would like to inherit from your estate upon your death may not be the person who actually does inherit. Without a Will, you leave your loved ones with far more work to do after your death and it is highly likely that your possessions will not be distributed the way you would want. With no recognised document for the administration or distribution of your possessions, the government intestacy rules will stipulate who inherits, and this typically results in negative tax consequences, heartache and lost time and money for your loved ones. For example your unmarried partner may not receive anything at all, in accordance with the Government's Intestacy Rules which take no account of any personal preference and desires.
How much does dying without a will cost?
According to various reports, dying without a will typically costs the heirs an average of £9,700 more than if a will had been in place.
Who will pay for my funeral?
Your funeral is typically paid for out of your estate.
Are my funeral wishes legally binding?
Your funeral wishes are not part of the will, and are thus not legally binding. However, people left behind are often grateful to be given funeral wishes at a difficult time, and will normally do their best to carry out your wishes. It is entirely optional to include your funeral wishes. For your loved ones, knowing that you have specified your funeral wishes means that they don’t have to make difficult decisions at a stressful time.
How often do I need to update my will?
It is best to update your will whenever there’s a significant change in your life, such as when you get married, have children or get divorced. Our service lets you update your online will for free whenever you want to.
Finally
If you have any other questions, please contact us and we will do our best to help. We aim to provide you with a high quality, convenient, easy to use online will writing service - and best of all it won't cost you a penny.
