School Fees in Your Will: What Parents Should Know

James and Rebecca were paying £42,000 a year for their two children to attend private school in Surrey. When James died suddenly at 41, Rebecca discovered his life insurance would cover the mortgage—but the £500,000 remaining would need to last for everything else.

With no specific provisions in his will for education costs, she faced an agonizing decision: continue the school fees and risk running out of money, or uproot their grieving children from their friends and familiar environment. She chose to keep them in school for one more year, then moved them to state schools.

Their daughter, then 14, struggled with the transition during her GCSEs. "James would have had a plan if he'd known," Rebecca says. "But his will just left everything to me with no guidance about the children's education."

Approximately 6% of UK children attend private schools, and for the families who've made this choice, the annual cost averages £23,496 per child in 2025. From reception through A-levels, the total cost approaches £355,000 per child.

This article explains how to protect your children's education through proper will planning—even if you're using a simple online will service like WUHLD.

Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information about including education provisions in your will and does not constitute legal or financial advice. For advice specific to your individual situation, please consult a qualified solicitor or independent financial advisor. WUHLD's online will service is suitable for straightforward UK estates; complex situations involving trusts, significant inheritance tax planning, or complicated family circumstances may require professional legal advice.

The Real Cost: Why School Fees Need Special Planning

Understanding the financial scale of private education helps explain why this deserves specific attention in your will. This isn't just a few years of fees—it's potentially hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Average UK private school fees for 2024-2025 are approximately £23,496 per year for day schools. Boarding schools cost significantly more, averaging around £50,000 per year. These figures reflect the 20% VAT added to school fees from January 2025.

From reception through A-levels (14 years), the total cost for day school approaches £355,000 per child. Regional variation is substantial: London schools total £442,285 compared to Northern Ireland's £142,391.

Consider a realistic scenario: two children currently in Year 3 and Year 6 with 11 and 8 years remaining. Child one needs £258,456 (11 years × £23,496). Child two needs £187,968 (8 years × £23,496). Total commitment: £446,424.

For families with multiple children, these costs multiply accordingly. A family with three children at different stages could face commitments exceeding £600,000.

Key consideration: These are ongoing costs that stretch 10-15 years into the future. Your will needs to account not just for immediate needs, but for sustained financial commitments that continue long after you're gone.

What Happens If You Die Without Specific Education Provisions

Without clear guidance in your will, your family faces difficult decisions at the worst possible time. Understanding the realistic consequences creates urgency for proper planning.

If you die without a will, intestacy rules govern how your estate is distributed. Children under 18 inherit at 18 regardless of readiness, with their inheritance held in statutory trust until then.

More concerning for education planning: if both parents die without naming guardians in a will, courts must decide who will care for the children. This can be a lengthy process, potentially placing children in temporary foster care.

Your appointed guardian (whether named in your will or court-appointed) has legal authority to make education decisions. But they may not have the financial means to continue private school, even if significant funds exist in your estate.

Under intestacy, others make decisions about who will care for your children and manage their finances and education—with no knowledge of your wishes about education priorities.

Emma, a single mother: Her will left everything to her two children equally, with her brother as guardian. Her brother, a teacher earning £35,000, couldn't afford £40,000 annually in fees despite the children inheriting £450,000 at age 18. The children left school within three months. The funds they would eventually inherit sat inaccessible while they changed schools during Year 9 and Year 11.

David's blended family: He remarried with children from his first marriage attending private school. No specific education provisions existed in his will. His second wife inherited the estate but had no legal obligation to pay stepchildren's school fees. Biological mother had parental responsibility for education decisions but no funds to execute them. Legal disputes followed about whether estate funds should support the children's education.

Catherine with adequate funds but no clarity: Her £800,000 estate and appointed guardian seemed sufficient. But should funds prioritize school fees through A-levels, or preserve capital for university and house deposits? Her sister, appointed guardian, spent two years stressed by making this decision alone, with no guidance about Catherine's wishes.

The good news? A well-drafted will can provide clear guidance that makes these decisions easier—even if you don't need complex trust arrangements.

The Simple Approach: Clear Instructions in Your Will

For many families, complex trusts aren't necessary. Clear will provisions and thoughtful guardian choices are often sufficient for protecting your children's education.

For straightforward estates (under inheritance tax thresholds, stable marriages, young children), a standard will with clear provisions works well. Your will expresses your wishes about education as guidance to guardians and executors.

While not legally binding, this guidance provides clear moral direction. Appoint guardians who share your values about education and discuss available funds with them beforehand. Name backup guardians in case your first choice becomes unavailable.

Your will should clearly indicate the value of your estate so guardians can make informed decisions. Life insurance can be arranged in trust (separate from your will) specifically for education costs, providing immediate liquidity.

A letter of wishes accompanying your will provides detailed education guidance without legal rigidity. This document can specify school names, explain your education philosophy, and outline how you'd like funds balanced between immediate needs and future planning.

Tom and Anna's approach: They have £450,000 equity, £300,000 life insurance each, and two children aged 7 and 9. Remaining school fees total approximately £340,000 for both children. Their will appoints Anna's brother (who has children at the same school) as guardian and leaves everything to the surviving spouse, then to children at 18 if both parents die.

Their letter of wishes states education as the priority and provides detailed fee calculations. Life insurance written in trust outside the will provides liquid funds specifically for ongoing costs. They discussed these plans explicitly with the appointed guardian before finalizing their will.

What WUHLD's service enables:

Appointing guardians for minor children (primary and backup)
Specifying the age children inherit (18 is standard; trusts needed for different ages)
Leaving clear percentage allocations between children
Referencing an accompanying letter of wishes (created separately)

Your will might state: "I appoint my sister Sarah Jones as guardian. I wish for my estate to prioritize funding my children's education at [School Name] through A-levels if financially feasible." This isn't legally binding but provides clear moral guidance.

Life insurance calculation: Remaining school years × annual fees × number of children + 20% buffer for fee increases. For children with 10 and 7 years remaining: (10 × £23,496) + (7 × £23,496) + 20% buffer = approximately £488,000 coverage recommended.

For some families, particularly those with significant assets or complex situations, more formal trust arrangements provide additional control and tax benefits.

When You Need a Trust: Advanced Planning for School Fees

Understanding when families need professional advice beyond a standard will service helps you make informed decisions. Some situations require more sophisticated planning.

Important disclaimer: The information about trusts below is for general understanding only. Creating trusts requires specialist legal advice and should not be attempted without professional assistance.

Trusts provide more control over how and when money is used for children. They can specify that funds MUST be used for education rather than leaving it to guardian discretion. Two main types exist: bare trusts (children entitled at 18) and discretionary trusts (trustees maintain control indefinitely).

Inheritance tax planning becomes relevant if your estate exceeds £325,000 (or £500,000 with residence nil-rate band). For married couples, these allowances double to £650,000 or £1 million with property. Trusts offer protection from children's potential future divorces, bankruptcies, or poor financial decisions.

When you might need a trust:

Estate value exceeds inheritance tax thresholds
You want to ensure funds are used specifically for education, not available for other purposes
Children have special educational needs requiring long-term funding
You want to maintain control beyond children turning 18
Blended family with children from different relationships
You're concerned about chosen guardian's financial management skills
You want to protect funds from children's potential future creditors or divorces

Bare trust vs discretionary trust comparison:

Feature	Bare Trust	Discretionary Trust
Child entitled to funds	Age 18 (automatic)	Trustees decide when and if
Control	Lost at 18	Maintained indefinitely
Inheritance tax treatment	Potentially exempt transfer (IHT-free if you survive 7 years)	Possible immediate charge if over £325,000, periodic charges
Income tax	Child's rate	Trust rates (up to 45%)
Protection from creditors	No	Yes
Typical cost to set up	£500–£1,500	£1,500–£3,000+
Best for	Grandparents funding fees, moderate estates	Large estates, long-term control needs

Scenario requiring discretionary trust: Estate worth £1.2 million with three children. A discretionary trust allows trustees to allocate funds based on actual educational needs rather than equal thirds. One child may choose state school while another needs specialist SEN support costing £55,000 annually. Trustees can respond to actual circumstances.

Grandparent scenario: Grandparents want to contribute £200,000 for school fees. A bare trust means funds become the child's at 18 regardless of choices made. A discretionary trust means trustees can hold back funds if the child doesn't pursue education, redirecting to other grandchildren or future needs.

WUHLD's position: WUHLD's £49.99 online will service is designed for straightforward estates. If you need trust provisions for school fees, we recommend consulting a solicitor specializing in estate planning. Our service can still be valuable for creating your basic will and appointing guardians, which can then be supplemented with a separate trust deed created by a solicitor.

Whether you choose a simple will or trust arrangements, guardians are the people who'll make day-to-day decisions about your children's education.

Choosing Guardians Who Align With Your Education Values

Guardian choice is equally important as financial provisions. The wrong guardian can derail education plans regardless of available funds.

Your guardian makes legal decisions about your child's education, not just the executor who manages money. Guardian and executor can be different people—one manages money, one raises children. This split sometimes makes sense when the best caregiver isn't experienced with financial management.

Guardian's values about education matter enormously. Their views on state versus private schools, academic versus pastoral priorities, and extracurricular activities shape daily decisions. Guardian's financial situation affects their ability to top up if estate funds prove insufficient.

Geographic location creates practical constraints. If your guardian lives 200 miles from your children's current school, continuing there likely becomes impossible without boarding arrangements.

Questions to ask potential guardians:

What are your views on private education versus state schools?
Would you be willing and able to continue our children's current school?
If funds were available, would you prioritize education costs over other expenses?
Would you need to relocate for work, requiring school change?
Do you have experience managing significant funds for children's benefit?
How would you balance education costs against saving for university or first home?

Sarah and Tom's values-aligned guardian: They chose Tom's sister who sends her own children to private school. She understands the culture, knows the costs, and shares their educational philosophy. She could realistically continue the children at their current school. More importantly, they discussed this explicitly: "If we die and funds are available, we want the children to complete their education at [School Name]. Would you be comfortable with that priority?" She agreed before being appointed.

James's financially-aligned but values-mismatched guardian: James chose his wealthy brother as guardian, assuming he could afford fees. His brother believes strongly in state education and moved the children to local comprehensive despite £400,000 available in the estate. James hadn't discussed his wishes beforehand. His brother made the decision he thought best, not knowing James's priorities.

Emma's split responsibilities: Emma appointed her sister (a teacher, wonderful with children but financially inexperienced) as guardian, and her brother (an accountant) as executor and trustee to manage funds. They work together on major education decisions, combining caregiving skills with financial competence. This arrangement requires guardians who communicate well.

Practical guidance:

Name backup guardians in case first choice unavailable
Have honest conversations BEFORE appointing: "Would you continue private school if funds were available?"
Consider geography carefully—appointing guardian 300 miles away likely means school change
Document your conversation and wishes in letter of wishes
Review guardian appointments every few years as circumstances change

What to include in your will:

Primary guardian appointment with full name and address
Backup guardian(s) in case primary unavailable
Whether executor and guardian are the same person or split
Your wishes about education continuity (expressed as guidance, not binding instruction)

Learn more about choosing guardians for your children in our comprehensive guide.

Once you've appointed guardians who share your values, ensuring they have access to funds requires specific planning.

Life Insurance and Other Funding Strategies

Your will distributes existing assets, but it doesn't create money. Life insurance and other strategies ensure sufficient funds are actually available for school fees.

Life insurance creates new funds at death, precisely when your family needs them most. It can be written "in trust" outside your estate, providing faster access, no inheritance tax liability, and no probate delays.

Term life insurance until your youngest child finishes A-levels is the most cost-effective approach. Calculate remaining school years × annual fees × number of children, then add an inflation buffer.

Life insurance calculation example:

Two children aged 8 and 11, currently in Years 4 and 7:

Child 1: 10 years remaining × £23,496 = £234,960
Child 2: 7 years remaining × £23,496 = £164,472
Total: £399,432
Add 20% inflation/fee increase buffer: £479,318
Recommended cover: £500,000 term life insurance until youngest turns 18

Life insurance: in trust versus in estate:

Written in Trust	Part of Estate
Pays out in weeks	Waits for probate (months)
No inheritance tax	Counts toward IHT threshold
Direct to trustees	Goes to executors
Bypasses probate	Subject to probate process
Immediate school fee payments	May face cash flow gap

Writing life insurance in trust means your guardian can access funds for school fees within weeks, not waiting 9-12 months for probate. This prevents cash flow crises during term-time when fees are due.

Other funding strategies:

Savings and investments designated for education: ISAs, Junior ISAs, and investment accounts with clear designation in your will provide additional resources. Specify in your letter of wishes where these accounts exist and how you intend them to be used.

Grandparent contributions: Many families rely on grandparent help for school fees. If you die before your parents, will they continue contributing? Document any informal arrangements so guardians know what to expect. Consider whether grandparents should be notified of guardian appointments and your education wishes.

Equity in property: Your home may represent substantial wealth, but it's illiquid. Executors may need to sell quickly, possibly at a discount during probate. This creates timing problems when termly fees come due before house sales complete.

Critical cash flow consideration: Even with £600,000 in property equity, your guardian may face immediate school fee bills before probate completes (average 9-12 months). This is why life insurance in trust proves so valuable—it provides immediate liquidity precisely when needed.

Practical recommendations:

Review life insurance annually when fees increase or children change year groups
Consider decreasing term insurance (reduces as children get older, offering cheaper premiums)
Tell guardians where policy documents are kept and how to make claims
Include life insurance policy numbers in your letter of wishes
Consider separate policies for each child to simplify guardian decisions if only one parent dies

What your will should address:

Who receives life insurance proceeds if written in estate (not in trust)
How estate assets should be liquidated if needed for immediate school fees
Authority for executors to access and use funds before estate formally distributed
Priority of debts and expenses (are school fees paid before other bequests?)

Even the best-laid plans need to account for reality: what if your children don't want to continue at private school after you die?

What If Your Children Want to Leave Private School?

Grief affects children differently. Your will should support their wellbeing, not rigidly enforce school choices that no longer fit their needs.

Some children need routine and continuity during grief—school becomes their anchor. Others can't bear familiar environments without their parent present. Every adult memory triggers fresh pain.

Your will can express preferences but shouldn't force children into unwanted situations. Guidance is better than rigid requirements: "I wish for my children to complete their education at [School] if they desire and find it beneficial to their wellbeing."

Remaining funds can be redirected to university, house deposits, vocational training, or other future needs if children choose to change schools. Preserving capital for age 18-25 when young adults need financial support for independence can be equally valuable.

Sophie and James after their mother died: They stayed at private school for one term, then asked their guardian to move them to the local state school where their cousins attended. They needed family around them more than academic continuity. Their mother's will expressed a wish for them to continue at private school "if beneficial to their wellbeing." The guardian felt empowered to honor the children's choice, knowing their mother would have prioritized their emotional needs.

Marcus at fifteen: He insisted on staying at his school through A-levels after his father died. It was where he felt his father's presence most strongly—the sports hall his dad had helped fundraise for, the teachers who knew and respected his family. The guardian had funds available and used them according to the will's expressed wishes. Marcus thrived, achieving the grades his father had hoped for.

Practical guidance for your will:

Your will should prioritize children's wellbeing, not rigidly enforce school choice. Letter of wishes can say: "If the children wish to continue their education at [School], I hope funds will prioritize this. If they prefer to change schools, the savings should be preserved for university and future needs."

Guardians need flexibility to respond to children's emotional needs. Consider specifying that children should be consulted (if age-appropriate) about major education decisions. A 15-year-old has valid input about their own education; a 7-year-old needs decisions made for them.

Important principle: The goal is supporting your children through the worst moment of their lives, not forcing them to follow a plan that no longer fits their needs. Your will should enable choices, not restrict them.

If you're worried about children or guardians making poor decisions, that's when discretionary trusts become relevant—trustees can exercise judgment about what's genuinely in children's best interests.

Finally, beyond what's in your will, broader legal and practical considerations affect your children's education if you die.

Legal Considerations and Common Mistakes

Understanding specific legal points and avoiding common errors ensures your education planning actually works when needed.

Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989 allows courts to order financial provision for children's education from a parent's estate, even beyond what a will specifies. If unmarried parents separate, Schedule 1 allows claims for school fees directly from the non-resident parent's estate.

Parental responsibility continues until 18. Your guardian assumes this responsibility if both parents die, making education decisions on behalf of children. Executors have a duty to manage the estate in children's best interests, including education considerations.

Common mistakes that undermine education planning:

Assuming "everything to my spouse" is sufficient: If both parents die together in a car accident, your will must address what happens next. "Everything to my spouse, then to children at 18" leaves no structure for managing hundreds of thousands in school fees over 10+ years. Appointed guardians need clear guidance and appropriate authority.

Not updating will after children start school: A will written when children were toddlers may not reflect current £40,000 annually school commitment. Life has changed dramatically. Update your will when children start private school, again when circumstances change, and every 3-5 years as standard practice.

Appointing guardian who lives far from children's school: You appointed your brother as guardian; he lives in Scotland. Your children attend day school in Surrey. Logistically impossible to continue without converting to boarding (additional £30,000+ annually) or school change. Geography matters more than many parents realize.

No communication with appointed guardians: Guardian discovered appointment only after death. She had no knowledge of school fees costs, children's accounts, or deceased's education wishes. She scrambled to make decisions during grief, contacting the school for fees information and discovering complicated financial arrangements she'd never discussed.

Forgetting about university costs: All funds allocated to school fees through A-levels with nothing preserved for university (£9,250 annually tuition plus living costs). Children left in difficult position at 18, potentially unable to attend university despite parents' expectation that they would. Balance education costs throughout children's journey to adulthood.

Not coordinating with separated/divorced co-parent: Mother's will provides for school fees; father's will leaves everything to new wife with no education provisions. Children's security depends on which parent dies first. Separated parents should coordinate to ensure both wills protect children's education, even if relationships are difficult.

Legal requirements for a valid will:

Your will must be in writing, signed by you, and witnessed by two independent adults who are present when you sign. Witnesses cannot be beneficiaries or married to beneficiaries. Guardianship appointments must be clear and unambiguous with full names. Regular review every 3-5 years or after major life changes (divorce, remarriage, house move, additional children) keeps your will current.

When to seek specialist legal advice beyond WUHLD:

Estate exceeds inheritance tax thresholds (£325,000 individual, £650,000 couple, potentially £1 million with property)
Complex family situations (divorce, remarriage, stepchildren with different entitlements)
You want to create trust arrangements with specific conditions
Business assets or international assets involved in your estate
Children have special educational needs requiring specialized long-term planning

WUHLD's honest position: WUHLD's service is designed for straightforward wills. If your situation involves trusts, significant inheritance tax planning, or complex family circumstances, we recommend consulting a specialist solicitor. However, having a basic WUHLD will with guardian appointments is infinitely better than having no will at all. You can always supplement it with additional legal arrangements later.

Let's bring all of this together with a practical action plan you can implement this week.

Your Action Plan: Protecting Your Children's Education This Month

You now understand the issues. Here's your clear, sequential action plan for actually protecting your children's education.

Immediate actions (this week):

Step 1: Calculate your commitment

Current school fees × remaining years for each child
Add 20% buffer for VAT changes and fee increases
Total commitment = your planning target
Use this figure for all subsequent planning

Step 2: Assess current provisions

Life insurance: is it sufficient to cover your calculation above?
Existing will: does it appoint guardians and address children's inheritance clearly?
Savings and investments: how much is specifically designated for education?
Gap analysis: what's missing from your current planning?

Step 3: Identify potential guardians

Who shares your education values and philosophy?
Who could realistically continue children's current school (geographic and financial considerations)?
Would you split guardian (raising children) from trustee (managing money)?
List primary choice and at least one backup

Step 4: Have the conversation

Speak honestly with potential guardians about expectations before appointing them
Discuss school fees, education philosophy, geographic constraints
Ensure they understand the financial commitment and available resources
Confirm they're willing to be appointed before naming them in your will

Step 5: Create or update your will

Straightforward situation (under IHT threshold, married/stable relationship, young children): Use WUHLD's online service (15 minutes, £49.99)
Complex situation (trusts needed, IHT planning, blended families): Consult specialist solicitor
Either way, do it this month—not "when you get around to it"
Schedule specific time in your calendar this week

Step 6: Review life insurance

Ensure coverage matches your school fees calculation from Step 1
Consider writing in trust for faster access and IHT efficiency
Update beneficiaries if needed to reflect current circumstances
Get quotes if additional coverage needed

Step 7: Create letter of wishes

Document your detailed education wishes in a separate letter
Include school names, fee information, access to savings accounts
Explain your education philosophy and priorities
Store with your will and give copy to executors and guardians
Update annually as children progress through school

Within three months:

Document all education-related accounts, policies, and savings with locations and access details. Create a simple spreadsheet or document listing every relevant account, policy number, provider contact information, and approximate value.

Share this information with executors and guardians. Don't assume they'll figure it out—explicit information prevents missed resources and confusion during grief.

Review beneficiaries on all accounts (pensions, insurance policies, investment accounts) to ensure they align with your will's provisions.

Annual review schedule:

Update school fees calculations as children move up year groups and fees change. What seemed adequate three years ago may now fall short.

Adjust life insurance if needed based on updated calculations. Consider decreasing term insurance as children get older and the remaining financial commitment reduces.

Confirm guardians remain appropriate and willing. People's circumstances change—health, finances, relationships, geographic location. Check in annually.

Update will if major life changes occur (divorce, remarriage, house move, guardian moving away, additional children, significant wealth changes).

Final encouragement:

You're already investing heavily in your children's education—financially and emotionally. An hour spent creating or updating your will ensures that investment is protected no matter what happens.

Most parents find enormous peace of mind once this is done. The anxiety of "what if something happens" transforms into confidence that you've done everything possible to protect your children's future.

Your children's education represents years of careful planning and sacrifice. Don't let that planning fail because you didn't spend one hour on your will.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need a trust to provide for school fees in my will?

A: Most families don't need a formal trust. A standard will with clear provisions and appointed guardians is sufficient for straightforward estates under inheritance tax thresholds. You might need a trust if your estate exceeds £325,000 (individual) or £650,000 (couple), you want to guarantee funds must be used specifically for education, or you have complex family circumstances like blended families.

Q: Can I specify in my will that money must be used for private school fees?

A: You can express your wishes about school fees in your will as guidance, though this isn't legally binding instruction. Your will can state that you wish for your estate to prioritize funding your children's education through A-levels if financially feasible. Appointed guardians and executors typically follow these expressed wishes, especially when combined with a letter of wishes providing detailed guidance. For legally binding requirements, you need a discretionary trust created by a solicitor.

Q: What happens to school fees arrangements if I die without a will?

A: Without a will, intestacy rules govern estate distribution and courts must appoint guardians if both parents die. The appointed guardian makes education decisions but may lack financial means to continue private school. Your estate funds may be accessible, but with no guidance about education priorities, guardians must balance school fees against other needs without knowing your wishes. This often results in children leaving private school even when sufficient funds exist.

Q: How much life insurance do I need to cover private school fees?

A: Calculate remaining school years × annual fees × number of children, plus 20% buffer for inflation and fee increases. For example, two children aged 8 and 11 with 10 and 7 years remaining: (10 × £23,496) + (7 × £23,496) + 20% buffer = approximately £479,000. Consider writing life insurance in trust for faster access and inheritance tax efficiency. Review annually as children progress through school and fees increase.

Q: Should I appoint the same person as guardian and executor, or split the roles?

A: It depends on your specific circumstances. Appointing the same person simplifies decision-making—one person raises children and manages finances with full picture. Split roles work well when the best caregiver isn't financially experienced, allowing you to combine caregiving skills with financial competence. If splitting, choose people who communicate well and can collaborate on major decisions. Either approach can work with proper planning.

Q: Can my ex-partner's will affect my children's school fees if we're divorced?

A: Yes, significantly. If you're separated or divorced, children's financial security can depend on which parent dies first. If your will provides for school fees but your ex-partner's will leaves everything to a new spouse with no education provisions, your children's education could be disrupted if your ex-partner dies. Consider coordinating basic education provisions in both wills, even if the relationship is difficult, to protect children's interests.

Conclusion: Securing Your Children's Educational Future

Your children's education represents one of your family's most significant commitments—financially and emotionally. Protecting this investment through proper will planning ensures your choices and sacrifices aren't wasted.

Key actions for protecting school fees in your will:

Calculate your total remaining financial commitment (years remaining × fees × children, plus 20% buffer)
Assess whether simple will provisions are sufficient or whether you need specialist trust arrangements
Choose guardians who share your education values and discuss expectations explicitly before appointing them
Ensure adequate life insurance coverage, preferably written in trust for immediate access
Create clear will provisions expressing your wishes about education priorities
Document everything in a letter of wishes with practical details about accounts, policies, and your education philosophy
Review annually as children progress through school and circumstances change

Most families don't need expensive trust arrangements. A straightforward will with thoughtful guardian appointments and clear provisions is sufficient. For complex estates exceeding inheritance tax thresholds or complicated family situations, supplement your basic will with specialist legal advice.

The anxiety of "what if something happens" transforms into peace of mind once you've completed this planning. You'll know your children's education is protected, your guardian understands your wishes, and the financial resources will be available when needed.

Create your legally valid will today with WUHLD. Our step-by-step platform makes it simple to appoint guardians and protect your children's future.

For just £49.99 (versus £650+ for a solicitor), you'll receive:

Your complete, legally binding will with guardian appointments
A 12-page Testator Guide explaining how to execute your will properly
A Witness Guide to give to your witnesses
A Complete Asset Inventory document to track your estate

You can preview your entire will free before paying anything—no credit card required.

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Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information about UK will requirements for education planning and does not constitute legal or financial advice. For advice specific to your individual situation, please consult a qualified solicitor or independent financial advisor. WUHLD's online will service is suitable for straightforward UK estates; complex situations involving trusts, significant inheritance tax planning, or complicated family circumstances may require professional legal advice.

Tax Disclaimer: Tax laws change regularly and your individual circumstances affect tax implications. This information is current as of October 2025 but should not be relied upon without professional tax advice.

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