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A Simple Will: What Is It and Is It Right for You?

· 13 min

Emma, 32, spent three weeks agonizing over whether she needed a "proper" solicitor for her will. She owned a £240,000 flat with her husband, had £18,000 in savings, and wanted everything to go to him—then to her sister if they both died.

"Everyone kept using words like 'straightforward' and 'simple,' but nobody explained what that actually meant," she said. "I was terrified I'd mess it up with a DIY template, but £650 for a solicitor seemed insane for something so basic."

She finally used an online service for £99.99 and completed her will in 15 minutes. "I couldn't believe how simple it actually was once I understood what 'simple' meant."

The fear of not knowing whether your situation is "simple enough" keeps tens of thousands of people from making wills they desperately need. According to the Money and Pensions Service, 56% of UK adults don't have a will—including 53% of adults aged 50-64. Many delay because they're confused about whether their estate is "straightforward" and which option to choose.

This guide will give you a crystal-clear definition of what makes an estate simple, help you determine if yours qualifies, and show you exactly which will-writing option is right for you.

Table of Contents

What Is a Simple Will? (The Clear Definition You've Been Looking For)

A simple will is one where you have straightforward beneficiary arrangements, uncomplicated assets, no trust requirements, an estate under the inheritance tax threshold, and clear distribution wishes with no ambiguity.

Most people assume their estate is too complicated for a "simple" will, but the reality is different. If you're married or single, you're leaving everything to your spouse or dividing assets equally among children, you don't own a business or overseas property, and your estate is under £325,000, your will is simple.

Legal professionals use terms like "straightforward," "basic," and "uncomplicated" interchangeably with "simple"—they all mean the same thing. There's no legal distinction between a "simple will" and a "complex will." Both are legally valid if properly drafted, signed, and witnessed. The key question isn't whether you can write your own will but rather "is my estate straightforward enough for a DIY or online approach?"

The difference lies in your circumstances, not the will's legal validity.

Here's the 5-criteria test to determine if your estate is simple:

  1. Your beneficiaries are straightforward (spouse, children, or close family—no trusts for vulnerable dependents)
  2. Your assets are uncomplicated (property, savings, investments, personal items—no business ownership or overseas property)
  3. Your estate is under £325,000 (no inheritance tax planning needed)
  4. Your family situation is simple (no blended families, unmarried partners inheriting property, or complicated custody arrangements)
  5. Your wishes are clear and direct (everything to spouse, or divided equally among children—no conditional gifts)

James, 45, owns a £280,000 house jointly with his wife, has £40,000 in pension savings and £12,000 in an ISA. He wants everything to go to his wife, then split between their two children if she dies first. His estate is simple.

Sarah, 47, owns a £290,000 house with her unmarried partner (they each own 50%), has two children from a previous marriage, and wants to ensure her partner can live in the house but her children inherit the property value. Her estate is NOT simple—she needs a solicitor to draft a trust.

If all five criteria apply to you, your estate is straightforward enough for an online will service.

The 4 Pillars of a Straightforward Estate

Every estate can be evaluated across four key dimensions. Understanding these pillars helps you determine whether your situation is genuinely simple or requires professional legal advice.

Pillar 1: Beneficiary Structure

Simple beneficiary structures include leaving everything to your spouse or civil partner, leaving everything to your children equally, or leaving specific percentages to named individuals with no conditions.

Complex situations include unmarried partners inheriting property, vulnerable dependents needing lifetime care, conditional gifts like "only if they graduate university," or charities with specific instructions.

Leaving your £300,000 estate to your wife is simple. Leaving your house to your unmarried partner while ensuring your children from a previous marriage get the value when she dies requires a solicitor-drafted life interest trust.

Pillar 2: Asset Composition

Simple assets include your primary residence (owned jointly or solely), savings accounts, ISAs, pensions, personal possessions, and one or two investment accounts.

Complex assets include business ownership (even 25% of a limited company), overseas property, multiple rental properties, complex investment portfolios, agricultural land, intellectual property, or valuable collections requiring specialist valuation.

Emma owns her £240,000 flat and has £18,000 in a savings account. Simple. David owns a £200,000 flat, has £50,000 in savings, and owns 40% of a graphic design business valued at £120,000. Complex—he needs professional advice on business succession.

Pillar 3: Family Circumstances

Simple family situations include first marriage with children from that marriage, single with clear beneficiaries, married couple with no children, or divorced with independent children over 18.

Complex situations include blended families (yours, mine, ours), unmarried couples, estranged family members who might contest, dependents with disabilities, or minor children needing guardians and trust arrangements.

Under UK intestacy rules, unmarried partners inherit nothing—even after 30 years together. Your entire estate goes to blood relatives or the Crown. Common law marriage does not exist in UK law.

If you're cohabiting with an unmarried partner and you die without a will, your partner could be forced to sell the home you shared together.

Pillar 4: Estate Value and Tax Implications

Simple estates are under £325,000 (no inheritance tax) or married couples under combined £650,000 (with transferable nil-rate band).

Complex estates exceed £325,000 requiring tax planning, include property over the residence nil-rate band, or involve strategies to minimize inheritance tax through trusts or charitable gifts.

The current threshold is £325,000 individual nil-rate band, with an additional £175,000 residence nil-rate band if leaving your home to direct descendants. Married couples can transfer unused allowances, potentially creating £1 million in tax-free inheritance.

If your estate is worth £280,000 and you're leaving everything to your spouse, tax isn't a factor—simple. If your estate is £450,000 and you want to minimize the tax bill, you need professional tax planning advice.

Most people discover their estate IS straightforward. But there are specific situations where professional advice isn't optional—it's essential.

Certain triggers move you from "safe to DIY or online" to "you need a solicitor" territory. These aren't recommendations—they're non-negotiable situations where the risk of getting it wrong far outweighs the cost of professional advice.

Unmarried Couples and Property

If you own property with someone you're not married to, intestacy law means they inherit NOTHING. You need a solicitor to structure ownership and life interest trusts properly.

You and your partner bought a £300,000 house together, each contributing 50%. If you die without a proper will, your 50% share goes to your parents or siblings—your partner could be forced to sell the home they live in.

Business Ownership

Even owning 25% of a limited company creates succession planning complexity. What happens to your shares? Can your spouse or children become directors? Do other shareholders have first refusal?

You own 40% of a profitable marketing agency. Without professional advice, your shares could pass to your children who know nothing about the business, creating conflict with your co-directors.

Overseas Assets

Property, bank accounts, or investments abroad are subject to that country's inheritance laws. You may need separate wills.

You own a holiday villa in Spain worth £180,000. Spanish forced heirship rules may override your UK will—you need cross-border legal advice.

Blended Families

Ensuring biological children inherit while providing for a new spouse requires sophisticated trust structures.

You've remarried after divorce. You want your new wife to live in your £400,000 house after you die, but you want your two children from your first marriage to eventually inherit the property. This requires a life interest trust that only a solicitor should draft.

Vulnerable Dependents

Children or adults with disabilities who receive means-tested benefits need discretionary trusts to protect their inheritance without affecting benefits.

Your 28-year-old son has severe autism and receives ESA and PIP. Leaving him £100,000 directly would disqualify him from benefits—you need a solicitor to create a disabled person's trust.

Estate Over £325,000

Inheritance tax planning through trusts, charitable gifts, or business property relief requires specialist knowledge.

Your estate is worth £480,000. Without planning, your children will pay £62,000 in inheritance tax. A solicitor can structure gifts and trusts to reduce this significantly.

When solicitor fees of £350-£1,000 prevent tens of thousands in legal disputes, lost inheritance, or tax bills, they're worth it. For genuinely simple estates, you're paying £400+ for the same legal result as a £99.99 online will.

If none of those complex situations apply to you, your estate IS straightforward—and you have three practical options to get your will done.

Your 3 Options for Creating a Simple Will (Honest Comparison)

Let's compare DIY templates, online services, and solicitors objectively—acknowledging the pros and cons of each.

Option 1: DIY Will Kits (£10-30)

DIY will kits give you a printed template booklet or fillable PDF with blanks to complete. They're the cheapest option and can be done immediately at home.

But there's no guidance on legal language, no personalized advice, and high error risk. The Law Society found DIY wills are most likely to be contested. You must store the original safely yourself, and there are no updates when law changes.

Honestly? DIY templates are suitable for almost no one. The £20 you save isn't worth the risk of invalid signatures, ambiguous wording, or missed legal requirements that cost your family thousands later.

A beneficiary witnessed John's DIY will, not realizing that voids their inheritance under Section 15 of the Wills Act 1837. John's daughter lost her £40,000 inheritance because of a £15 template.

Option 2: Online Will Services (£99-£160)

Online will services provide a guided online questionnaire, automated legal drafting, digital storage, and optional printing and posting. Some offer updates for annual fees.

WUHLD costs £99.99 one-time with no subscriptions. You get professional legal drafting, can preview before paying, and complete your will in 15-20 minutes. The questionnaire provides clear guidance through every step.

Online services aren't suitable for complex estates and don't provide personalized legal advice. You must self-assess whether your estate qualifies as "simple."

These services are best for anyone with a straightforward estate—married or single, clear beneficiaries, under £325,000, no business or overseas assets—who wants professional-quality documents without solicitor fees.

WUHLD costs £99.99 with no subscriptions, includes 4 documents (will plus 3 guides), lets you preview your complete will free before paying, and takes 15 minutes. You can update anytime for free—no annual fees to keep your will valid. 14-day money-back guarantee if no documents have been downloaded.

Option 3: Solicitor-Drafted Wills (£150-500+ for simple wills)

Solicitors provide in-person or video consultation, bespoke legal drafting, professional storage, personalized advice, and executor services.

Costs range from £150-300 for basic simple wills, £300-500 for slightly more complex situations, and £500-1,500+ for complex estates with tax planning.

You get personalized legal advice and peace of mind for complex situations. Solicitors can spot issues you didn't know existed and offer professional storage and executor services.

But it's 3-6x more expensive for simple wills, requires appointments (often weeks of back-and-forth), and isn't necessary if your estate is genuinely straightforward.

Solicitors are best for anyone with complex estates—business ownership, overseas assets, blended families, vulnerable dependents, or inheritance tax concerns. For truly simple estates, you're paying £400+ for the same legal result as a £99.99 online will.

If your situation has ANY of the complexity triggers from the previous section, the extra £200-400 is worth avoiding a £30,000 legal dispute or tax bill.

For most people reading this article, an online will service is the smart choice. But how do you know if yours is genuinely straightforward?

The Simple Estate Self-Assessment (Takes 2 Minutes)

This 12-question assessment definitively tells you if your estate is simple or if you need professional advice.

Answer YES or NO to each question:

  1. Are you married or in a civil partnership, OR are you single or divorced? (NOT cohabiting unmarried)
  2. Do you want to leave everything to your spouse or civil partner, OR split everything equally among your children, OR leave specific percentages to named individuals?
  3. Do you own your home solely OR jointly with your spouse or civil partner? (NOT with an unmarried partner, friend, or family member other than spouse)
  4. Are all your assets in the UK? (no overseas property, foreign bank accounts, or international investments)
  5. Do you NOT own a business, shares in a private company, or partnership interest?
  6. Is your estate worth less than £325,000 (or £650,000 for married couples combining allowances)?
  7. Do your children (if any) all come from your current relationship? (NOT a blended family)
  8. Do you NOT have any dependents with disabilities who receive means-tested state benefits?
  9. Are you NOT planning to disinherit any close family members (spouse, children, parents)?
  10. Do you NOT want to create any trusts or conditional gifts?
  11. Are all your beneficiaries adults (over 18) with no vulnerabilities?
  12. Do you have clear, straightforward wishes with no complicated conditions?

Scoring

10-12 YES answers: Your estate is SIMPLE. An online will service like WUHLD (£99.99) is perfect for you. You don't need to pay £400+ for a solicitor.

7-9 YES answers: Your estate is MOSTLY simple but has some complexity. Review your NO answers carefully. You may benefit from a one-off solicitor consultation (£150-200) to discuss specific concerns, then use an online service if appropriate.

0-6 YES answers: Your estate has significant complexity. Book a solicitor consultation (£150-500 depending on complexity). The professional fees will protect your family from costly mistakes.

Emma scored 12/12. Married, everything to husband then children, £280,000 estate, UK property and savings only, all children from current marriage. SIMPLE—use WUHLD for £99.99.

David scored 8/12. Divorced, wants to leave everything equally to his three adult children, owns £240,000 house solely, £40,000 savings, but one child has autism and receives PIP. MOSTLY SIMPLE but needs solicitor advice on disabled person's trust for the one child.

Sarah scored 5/12. Unmarried couple, shared £300,000 property, wants partner to inherit but children from previous marriage to get the value eventually, estate over £325,000, owns 30% of a business. COMPLEX—needs solicitor for life interest trust, business succession planning, and tax planning.

If your estate is SIMPLE (10-12 YES), start your free will preview with WUHLD now—no credit card required. You'll have your complete will in 15 minutes.

If your estate is MOSTLY SIMPLE (7-9 YES), consider booking a one-off solicitor consultation to discuss your specific concerns. Many solicitors offer 30-minute consultations for £100-150.

If your estate is COMPLEX (0-6 YES), search for a specialist wills and probate solicitor in your area through the Law Society's Find a Solicitor service.

If you've determined your estate is simple and you're ready to use an online service, there are still specific pitfalls to avoid—even with professional-quality templates.

7 Mistakes That Make Even Simple Wills Invalid (And How to Avoid Them)

Even simple wills can be invalidated by common errors. Here's how to avoid the most frequent pitfalls.

1. Beneficiary Acting as Witness

Section 15 of the Wills Act 1837 states that if a beneficiary or their spouse witnesses your will, that beneficiary's gift is VOID.

You ask your daughter to witness your will because she's visiting. You've left her £50,000. Her signature as a witness voids that £50,000 inheritance—she gets nothing.

Your two witnesses must be completely independent—not beneficiaries, not married to beneficiaries, not executors (though executors CAN witness, it's bad practice). Use neighbors, colleagues, or friends with no interest in your estate.

2. Ambiguous Language About Beneficiaries

Phrases like "my children" may not include step-children; "my wife" becomes ambiguous if you remarry; "my estate" without defining it causes confusion.

You wrote "I leave everything to my children" in 2018 when you had two biological children. You remarried in 2020 and gained two step-children you consider your own. Your will may not cover your step-children unless you explicitly name them or define "my children to include my step-children, [names]."

Name beneficiaries explicitly with full legal names. If you mean step-children, state "my children, including my step-children [full names]."

3. Being Too Specific About Assets

"I leave my BMW 3 Series to my son" fails if you sell the BMW and buy an Audi. Your son may argue he's entitled to the equivalent value; your other children may disagree.

You left your £15,000 Rolex collection to your nephew in 2019. You sold the collection in 2022 to pay for home repairs and forgot to update your will. Your nephew gets nothing because the specific asset no longer exists.

Use categories rather than specific items: "I leave all my jewellery to my daughter" or "I leave my vehicle, whatever it may be at the time of my death, to my son."

4. Improper Signing and Witnessing

You must sign your will in the presence of two witnesses who are both present at the same time. Then both witnesses must sign in your presence and each other's presence.

You signed your will on Monday with Witness 1 present. Witness 2 wasn't available until Thursday, so they signed then. Your will is INVALID because both witnesses weren't present when you signed.

All three people (you plus two witnesses) must be in the same room at the same time. You sign first while they watch. Then they each sign while you and the other witness watch. All signatures happen in one session.

5. Failing to Update After Major Life Changes

Marriage AUTOMATICALLY REVOKES your existing will (unless the will explicitly states it's made "in contemplation of marriage" to a named person). Divorce doesn't revoke your will but treats your ex-spouse as having died before you.

You made a will in 2018 leaving everything to your girlfriend. You married her in 2020 but forgot to update your will. The marriage automatically revoked your 2018 will—you now have NO WILL, and your estate will be distributed under intestacy rules.

Update your will whenever you marry or divorce, have or adopt a child, a beneficiary dies, you acquire significant assets, you move abroad, or your executors die or become unsuitable. Review your will every 3 years even if nothing major changes.

6. Losing the Original Will

Your executors need the ORIGINAL signed will to apply for probate. A photocopy is not sufficient. If the original cannot be found, the court presumes you destroyed it intentionally (revoked it), and your estate is distributed under intestacy rules.

Your father made a will in 2010 leaving everything to you. He stored it in a filing cabinet. After he died in 2025, you found a photocopy but couldn't locate the original. The court presumed he revoked it. His estate was distributed under intestacy, and his estranged brother inherited 50%.

Store your original will safely and tell your executors where it is. Options include a fireproof safe at home, solicitor storage (£50-100 one-time or free if they drafted it), probate registry storage (£20 fee), or bank safe deposit box. Tell your executors the exact location.

7. Choosing Inappropriate Executors

Executors must be willing, capable, available, and trustworthy. Common mistakes include appointing someone who lives abroad (expensive and slow), appointing elderly parents (they may die before you or lack capacity), or appointing only one executor with no backup.

You appointed your 78-year-old mother as sole executor in 2019. She developed dementia in 2023 and died in 2024. You died in 2025. Your will names an executor who can't serve. Your estate falls into a legal gray area requiring expensive court applications.

Appoint 2-3 executors or 1 primary plus 1 backup. Choose people who are younger than you or similar age and healthy, financially responsible, organized and reliable, willing to serve (ask them first), and UK-based if possible.

Online will services like WUHLD are designed to prevent these errors through guided questionnaires, automated legal drafting, and clear witnessing instructions. But you must still review carefully, follow instructions exactly, and update when life changes.

What Happens to a "Simple" Estate Without a Will (Intestacy Reality Check)

Even people with "simple" estates face serious, often shocking consequences when they die without a will. Let's look at specific scenarios under UK intestacy rules. For a complete understanding of the consequences, see what happens if you die without a will in the UK.

Married with Children, Estate Under £322,000

Your spouse inherits everything; children get nothing.

You die with a £280,000 estate, married with two children. Your spouse inherits 100%. Your children inherit nothing until your spouse also dies—and if your spouse remarries, their new spouse could inherit instead of your children.

What you probably wanted: Spouse inherits everything, with clear instructions that children inherit if spouse dies.

A £99.99 will lets you specify exactly this, plus name guardians for minor children. Intestacy doesn't appoint guardians—the court decides.

Married with Children, Estate Over £322,000

Your spouse gets the first £322,000 plus all personal possessions plus 50% of the remainder. Children split the other 50% of the remainder immediately (held in trust if under 18).

You die with a £500,000 estate (£400,000 house plus £100,000 savings), married with two adult children. Your spouse gets £322,000 plus £89,000 (50% of £178,000 remainder) equals £411,000 total. Your children immediately get £44,500 each. Your spouse may need to sell the house to pay your children their £89,000 share.

What you probably wanted: Spouse inherits everything, house stays intact, children inherit only after spouse dies.

A simple will ensures your spouse isn't forced to sell your family home to pay your children their intestacy share.

Unmarried Couple (Even 30 Years Together)

Your partner inherits NOTHING. Everything goes to your children, or if no children, your parents, then siblings, then nieces and nephews, then grandparents, then aunts and uncles, then cousins, then the Crown.

You and your partner bought a £300,000 house together 20 years ago, each owning 50%. You die without a will. Your 50% share (£150,000) goes to your adult children from a previous marriage—NOT your partner. Your partner of 20 years may be forced to sell the home they live in or buy out your children for £150,000 cash they don't have.

What you probably wanted: Your partner inherits your share of the house and can continue living there.

For unmarried couples, a £99.99 will is the ONLY way to protect your partner. Intestacy law doesn't recognize your relationship at all.

Single with No Children

Everything goes to your parents. If your parents are deceased, everything to siblings equally. If no siblings, nieces and nephews, then extended family in a strict order.

You're single with no children, and your parents died years ago. You have one sister you haven't spoken to in 15 years and a close friend who's been like family for 20 years. You die without a will. Your estranged sister inherits everything (£200,000). Your best friend gets nothing.

What you probably wanted: Your estate split among the people who actually matter to you—close friends, favorite charities, nieces and nephews you're close to.

A simple will lets you leave your estate to ANYONE you choose—friends, charities, or specific family members. Intestacy ignores your actual relationships.

Intestacy doesn't just distribute your assets wrong—it causes family conflict, financial hardship, and guilt for your loved ones who "should have made you write a will."

Fifteen minutes and £99.99 now prevents months of legal stress, £30,000 in court costs, and permanent family rifts later.

How to Create Your Simple Will Today (15-Minute Roadmap)

Here's a clear, actionable step-by-step process for creating your will immediately using WUHLD.

Before You Start (5-Minute Preparation)

Gather this information so you can complete your will in one session:

  • Full legal names and addresses of all beneficiaries (people inheriting)
  • Full legal names and addresses of your executors (2 recommended) plus backups
  • Full legal names and addresses of guardians if you have children under 18 (plus backups)
  • List of your major assets (home, savings, investments—you don't need exact values, just awareness of what you own)
  • Percentages or specific gifts (decide how you want your estate divided)
  • Funeral wishes (optional but helpful): burial or cremation, any specific requests

For a comprehensive checklist, see what to include in your will.

Step 1: Start Your Free Will Preview (No Credit Card Required)

Visit wuhld.com and click "Create Your Will." Enter basic information: name, age, marital status, children. No payment required—you'll preview your complete will before paying anything.

Step 2: Answer the Guided Questionnaire (10 Minutes)

The questionnaire walks you through your personal details and current marital status, your executors (who will carry out your will), your guardians (if you have children under 18), your beneficiaries (who inherits your estate), specific gifts if desired, residuary estate distribution (everything else divided as percentages), and funeral wishes (optional).

Each question includes clear explanations and examples so you understand exactly what you're choosing.

Step 3: Preview Your Complete Will (2 Minutes)

WUHLD generates your full will using professional legal templates. Review every section carefully. Check all names, addresses, and percentages are correct. Make sure executors and beneficiaries are exactly who you want.

If anything needs changing, edit your answers and regenerate instantly.

Step 4: Pay £99.99 and Download Your Will Package (1 Minute)

Once you're happy with your preview, pay £99.99 one-time fee (no subscriptions, no hidden costs). Instantly download your complete Will Package: your legally valid will (ready to print and sign), signing and witnessing instructions (step-by-step guide), estate planning guide (what executors need to know), and digital assets guide (passwords, online accounts).

Step 5: Print, Sign, and Witness Your Will (5 Minutes)

This is the ONLY way to make your will legally valid. Print your will (3 copies recommended: original for you, copies for executors). Gather two witnesses over age 18 who are NOT beneficiaries or married to beneficiaries (neighbors, colleagues, friends).

All three people in the same room at the same time: You sign and date each page and the final page. Your two witnesses watch you sign. Both witnesses then sign and date each page and final page while you watch. Witnesses should add their full address and occupation.

Do NOT bind, staple, or paperclip pages—holes or marks can raise questions about tampering.

Step 6: Store Your Will Safely and Tell Your Executors

Store your original in a fireproof safe at home, with solicitor storage (£50-100), at the probate registry (£20), or in a bank safe deposit box. Tell your executors EXACTLY where to find it: "Original will in blue folder, top drawer of filing cabinet in my study."

Give executors photocopies so they know what to look for. Keep a note in your wallet or purse: "In case of emergency, contact [executor name and phone]. My will is stored [location]."

Total time: 15 minutes questionnaire plus 5 minutes signing equals 20 minutes total.

What You Get for £99.99

You get a professionally drafted, legally valid will, 3 additional guides (signing instructions, estate planning, digital assets), unlimited free previews before paying, lifetime access to your will documents, and free unlimited updates forever (no annual subscription required).

Update your will when you marry or divorce (marriage revokes existing wills), have or adopt a child, a beneficiary or executor dies, you acquire significant new assets, your relationship with beneficiaries changes significantly, or every 3 years as a general rule.

WUHLD updates are free forever—just log in, edit your answers, preview your updated will, and download.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the legal difference between a "simple will" and a "complex will" in the UK?

There's no legal distinction—"simple" and "complex" are industry terms describing the estate's circumstances, not the will's legal validity. A simple will covers straightforward estates (spouse or children beneficiaries, uncomplicated assets, under £325,000, no trusts needed). A complex will handles blended families, business assets, inheritance tax planning, or trusts. Both are legally valid if properly drafted, signed, and witnessed.

Can I write my own will if I own a house?

Yes, if you own your home solely or jointly with your spouse and your estate is otherwise straightforward. Online will services like WUHLD (£99.99) are suitable for homeowners with uncomplicated estates. However, if you own property with an unmarried partner, own multiple properties, or have a mortgage exceeding your property value, seek professional legal advice to ensure proper distribution. See our complete guide on whether you can write your own will for more details.

How much does a simple will cost in the UK in 2025?

A simple will costs £99.99-£160 for online services (WUHLD, Farewill, Co-op Legal), £150-300 for a basic solicitor-drafted will, or free through charity will-writing schemes if you're over 55. Couples' mirror wills cost £160-£249 online or £249-£500 with a solicitor. WUHLD offers the best value at £99.99 with no subscriptions—free unlimited updates forever and 14-day money-back guarantee.

What are the 5 requirements for a valid will in the UK?

The 5 requirements are: you must be 18 or older, the will must be in writing, you must have testamentary capacity (sound mind), you must sign voluntarily without pressure, and your signature must be witnessed by two independent witnesses over 18 who are present when you sign and who then sign in your presence. These requirements apply to ALL wills, simple or complex.

Do unmarried couples need a will even with a simple estate?

YES—absolutely essential. UK intestacy law gives unmarried partners NOTHING, even after 30 years together. If you die without a will, your entire estate goes to blood relatives or the Crown, potentially leaving your partner homeless if you owned property together. For unmarried couples, a £99.99 will is critical legal protection that takes 15 minutes.

When does a simple will become too complex for DIY or online services?

Your will becomes too complex when you own property with an unmarried partner, own a business (even 25% of a company), have overseas assets, have a blended family, want to create trusts for vulnerable dependents, or have an estate over £325,000 requiring tax planning. In these situations, pay £350-1,000 for professional solicitor advice to avoid costly legal problems later.

What are the most common mistakes in DIY wills?

The most common mistakes are beneficiaries acting as witnesses (voids their inheritance), ambiguous language like "my children" without naming step-children explicitly, being too specific about assets ("my BMW" when you might sell it), improper signing and witnessing (not all in the same room at once), failing to update after marriage (marriage revokes existing wills), and losing the original will. Online services like WUHLD prevent these errors through guided questionnaires and clear instructions. For more on avoiding these pitfalls, see what makes a will invalid in the UK.

How do I know if my estate is "straightforward" enough for an online will?

Use the 5-criteria test: beneficiaries are straightforward (spouse, children, or clear percentages to named individuals), assets are uncomplicated (UK property, savings, investments—no business or overseas assets), estate under £325,000, simple family situation (not blended families or unmarried couples with property), and clear distribution wishes (no trusts or complex conditions). If all 5 apply, your estate is straightforward.

Will my online will be legally valid, or do I need a solicitor's seal?

Your online will is 100% legally valid if it meets the 5 UK legal requirements (over 18, in writing, sound mind, signed, witnessed by two independent witnesses). There's no such thing as a "solicitor's seal"—UK law does not require solicitor involvement for wills. A £99.99 online will and a £500 solicitor will have identical legal validity if both are properly executed. The difference is professional advice for complex estates, not legal validity.

Can I update my simple will myself, or do I need to create a new one?

For minor changes (updating executor addresses, small gift modifications), you can create a codicil (formal amendment), but it must be signed and witnessed like the original will. For significant changes (new beneficiaries, major asset changes, remarriage), create a completely new will that revokes the old one. WUHLD lets you create updated wills for free—easier and clearer than codicils, with no risk of conflicting instructions.

Take Action Today

Here's what you need to do:

  • Assess your estate: If you answered 10-12 YES on the self-assessment, your estate is simple—you don't need a £650 solicitor.
  • Choose your method: For straightforward estates, WUHLD offers professional-quality wills for £99.99 (vs. £100-160 competitors), no subscriptions, complete preview before paying.
  • Gather your information: Full names and addresses of beneficiaries, executors, and guardians (if children under 18); list of major assets; distribution percentages.
  • Complete your will in 15 minutes: Start your free preview at wuhld.com—no credit card required until you're ready to download.
  • Sign, witness, and store properly: Follow the exact instructions for signing (you plus two independent witnesses in same room), then store the original safely and tell your executors where it is.

56% of UK adults don't have a will, and most delay because they think it's complicated, expensive, or that they have "plenty of time." If your estate is straightforward, there's no reason to wait—you can protect your family in less time than it takes to watch a TV episode.

The peace of mind of knowing your loved ones are protected is worth far more than the 15 minutes and £99.99 it costs.

Start your free will preview with WUHLD today—no credit card required, no obligation. You'll answer simple questions, see your complete professionally drafted will, and only pay £99.99 if you're happy with it. You'll get 4 documents (will plus 3 essential guides), lifetime access, and the confidence that your family is protected.

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Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information about simple wills in the UK and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your individual situation, please consult a qualified solicitor. WUHLD's online will service is suitable for straightforward UK estates; complex situations involving business ownership, overseas assets, blended families, vulnerable dependents, or inheritance tax planning may require professional legal advice from a solicitor.

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