You can draft your own will, go online or get a proforma from your local stationery shop - but will it be a valid will?

In some cases yes - however in others it may be invalid or result in a partial intestacy. Partial intestacy means that part of your will may be valid but part of it may not.

Why bother making a will?

If you don’t make a will then your assets will be distributed in accordance with the Rules of Intestacy. This means that your money and property may not go to the people you want it to. Even for married couples and civil partners there are limits on how much of your estate will go automatically to your partner.

Witnesses to the will.

One thing to watch out for if you do make your own will is who witnesses it. If you witness a will you cannot be a beneficiary. So if you leave a gift to your witness then this gift fails and is either a partial intestacy or goes back into your estate.

If you need help writing your Will, contact our Wills & Probate department who will be happy to help.