Last Will and Testament

Last Will and Testament Guide, Templates & How To Make Your Will

A Last Will and Testament (often just called a Will) is the legal document that sets out what should happen to your money, property, possessions and other assets after you die. It lets you name executors, choose guardians for children and leave specific gifts to the people and causes that matter to you.

This guide explains what to include in a Will, who can make one, the different types of Wills available and the formalities needed for a valid document. The core principles are similar in most countries, but the exact rules and signing requirements depend on local law, so it is important to make sure your Will complies with the legal standards where you live.

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What Is a Last Will and Testament?

A Last Will and Testament (commonly called a Will) is a legal document that explains what should happen to your money, property, possessions and personal affairs after your death. It lets you:

• Name beneficiaries for your assets
• Appoint executors to administer your estate
• Choose guardians for children or dependants
• Leave specific gifts or personal wishes
• State funeral preferences, if you want to include them

Every country has rules about what makes a Will legally valid, but the core principles are similar: you must have capacity, the document must be written clearly and it must be signed and witnessed correctly. These requirements ensure your intentions are protected and reduce the risk of disputes.

If you die without a valid Will, your estate is usually distributed under intestacy laws, meaning the law decides who inherits - not you. Making a Will gives you control and ensures your wishes are followed.

Why You Need a Will (and What Happens Without One)

While it isn’t legally required to make a Will, it is the only way to ensure your wishes are followed and your loved ones are protected from delays, uncertainty and avoidable complications.

A Will gives you control, clarity and peace of mind by setting out exactly how your estate should be handled after your death.

Without a Will:

• Your estate is distributed under intestacy laws, which vary by country.
• Partners, stepchildren or people you consider family may receive nothing, depending on local rules.
• The court may need to appoint someone to administer your estate, creating delays.
• Family disagreements and legal disputes are more likely, especially with blended families.

With a Will:

• Your assets are distributed according to your instructions.
• You can appoint trusted executors to manage your estate.
• You can provide for dependants, leave specific gifts and protect vulnerable beneficiaries.
• You reduce stress, uncertainty and administrative burden for those you leave behind.

A Will ensures your choices are respected and helps avoid the emotional and financial difficulties that can arise when someone dies without clear instructions.

Who Can Make a Will?

You can make a Will as long as you meet the basic legal requirements in your jurisdiction. In most countries and states, the person creating the Will - known as the testator - must:

• Be an adult (typically 18 or over, though some places allow younger testators in specific circumstances).
• Have mental capacity, meaning they understand what a Will is, what property they own, and who they want to benefit from it.
• Make the Will voluntarily, without pressure, coercion or influence from anyone else.
• Sign the document in writing, usually in the presence of independent witnesses.

These safeguards exist to ensure the Will reflects the testator’s genuine wishes and can be relied upon after their death.

Note: Witnessing rules (including who can act as a witness and how many are required) vary by jurisdiction, but witnesses are almost always required to be independent and not beneficiaries of the Will.

What Can Be Included in a Will?

A Will is more than a list of who inherits your property. It’s a document that sets out how your estate should be handled and who is responsible for carrying out your wishes.

Most Wills include some or all of the following:

Core Inheritance Decisions

• How your money, property, possessions and digital assets should be distributed
• Specific gifts or bequests to individuals or charities
• Instructions for dividing the residue of your estate

Key Appointments

• Executors to administer your estate
• Guardians for children or dependants
• Trustees, if you create any trusts within your Will

Trusts & Protections

• Trusts for minors or vulnerable beneficiaries
• Conditions for when beneficiaries inherit (age milestones)
• Ongoing provisions for dependants’ care or financial support

Personal Wishes

• Funeral or memorial preferences
• Instructions regarding sentimental items
• Any personal messages or ethical wishes you choose to record

Additional Clauses

• Alternate beneficiaries if someone predeceases you
• Exclusions, if you wish to clarify who should not inherit
• Directions on how your Will should be interpreted

These elements help ensure your estate is managed smoothly, your executors have clear guidance and your loved ones understand your intentions.

Legal Requirements for a Valid Will

For a Will to be legally valid, it must meet certain core requirements. Although the exact rules vary between countries and states, most jurisdictions follow the same essential principles designed to ensure the Will is genuine and reflects the true wishes of the person making it.

A valid Will generally requires the testator to:

Be eligible to make a Will

• Be an adult (usually 18 or over).
• Have mental capacity and understand the effect of the document.
• Make the Will voluntarily, without pressure or undue influence.

Follow formal signing rules

• The Will must be in writing.
• It must be signed by the testator.
• It must usually be witnessed by two independent adults who are present at the same time.
• Witnesses should not be beneficiaries, or their inheritance may be affected.

Ensure clarity and intention

• The Will should clearly state that it is intended to operate as the testator’s final wishes.
• Any previous Wills or codicils should be revoked.

Failing to meet these requirements can lead to the Will being challenged or declared invalid. When that happens, the estate may instead be distributed under the laws of intestacy, meaning the law decides who inherits.

Note: Witnessing rules, signing order and the number of witnesses required differ by jurisdiction. The Robot Lawyer questionnaire ensures your document follows the correct requirements for the location you choose.

How to Create a Will

Creating a Will involves two key parts: understanding the steps involved and choosing the method that works best for your situation.

The Steps to Create a Will

Creating a Will is a straightforward process, but each step must be completed correctly for the document to be legally recognised. While requirements vary by jurisdiction, the typical process looks like this:

1. List your assets and decide who should inherit them
Include property, money, investments, personal items and digital assets.

2. Choose your beneficiaries
Decide who receives what - family, friends, charities or other individuals.

3. Appoint executors
Executors are responsible for administering your estate and carrying out your instructions.

4. Draft your Will
This can be done independently, with a solicitor, using a professional will-writing service or through an online tool.

5. Sign your Will correctly
Most jurisdictions require the testator to sign the document in writing in the presence of independent witnesses.

6. Store the original safely
Tell your executors where the original is kept and ensure it can be accessed when needed.

These steps ensure your Will is clear, complete and ready to be validated once properly signed and witnessed.

Different Ways to Make a Will

There are several routes you can take to create a Will. The right option depends on your budget, personal circumstances and the complexity of your estate.

Below are the most common approaches:

DIY Wills (handwritten or typed)

• Suitable for simple estates
• Lowest cost option
• Risk of mistakes or invalid clauses if not drafted carefully

Online Will-Creation Tools

• Guided questionnaires or solicitor-verified templates
• Often the quickest and most convenient approach
• Ideal for straightforward and moderately complex estates
• Ensures structure and wording follow your chosen jurisdiction

Will Writing Services

• Mid-range cost
• Staff may not be legally qualified
• Useful for simple to mid-complexity Wills

Solicitor-Drafted Wills

• Highest level of legal oversight
• Recommended for complex estates, blended families, business ownership or disputes
• Most expensive option

Will Kits (DIY templates or packs)

• Low cost
• Provide basic structure
• Still require careful wording and correct witnessing

Each method can produce a valid Will as long as the legal requirements are met. The key is choosing the option that offers the right balance of clarity, simplicity and legal certainty for your situation.

How Much Does It Cost to Make a Will?

The cost of making a Will depends on the method you choose and how complex your personal circumstances are. Simple Wills are usually inexpensive, while estates involving property, business assets, trusts or blended families may require more specialist support.

Below are the typical price ranges for the most common Will-creation options:

DIY Wills (Handwritten or Typed)

• Cost: Free
• Suitable for very simple estates
• Highest risk of mistakes or invalid clauses

Online Will-Creation Tools

• Cost: £20–£100 for solicitor-verified templates
• Guided questionnaires help avoid common errors
• Good for most straightforward or moderately complex Wills

Will Writing Services

• Cost: £50–£200
• Mid-range option
• Staff may not always be legally qualified so quality varies

Solicitor-Drafted Wills

• Cost: £150–£600+ (depending on complexity)
• Recommended for business assets, second marriages, large estates, overseas property or potential disputes
• Provides the highest level of legal oversight

Will Kits

• Cost: £10–£30
• Basic templates you complete yourself
• Still require correct wording and proper witnessing

These ranges cover the main routes people use to create a Will, from free DIY options through to full legal support. Whichever method you choose, the most important factor is ensuring the Will is clearly written, properly signed and meets the legal requirements for your jurisdiction.

Last Will and Testament Template (Sample Example)

The example below shows a simplified version of how a Last Will and Testament is typically structured and the kind of information it usually contains.

It is an illustrative foundation only. An official Will must be tailored to your personal circumstances (such as assets, family structure and any special instructions) and must meet the legal, witnessing and signing requirements of the jurisdiction where they are created.

This Will is made on [date] by [Full Name of Testator] of [Address] (“the Testator”).

1. Revocation
I revoke all previous wills and testamentary documents and declare this to be my Last Will and Testament.

2. Appointment of Executors
I appoint the following person(s) to act as Executor(s) of my estate:

– [Executor Name, Address]

If an Executor is unwilling or unable to act, I appoint [Replacement Executor] as substitute.

3. Specific Gifts
I give the following specific gifts:

– To [Name], I give [item / amount / property].
– To [Name], I give [item / amount / property].

4. Residue of My Estate
I give the residue of my estate (all property not otherwise gifted) to [Beneficiary Name(s)] in the following shares:

- [percentage / explanation]

If any beneficiary does not survive me or cannot inherit, their share shall pass to [alternative beneficiary].

5. Guardians for Minor Children(optional)
If I have children under the age required by local law, I appoint [Guardian Name] as guardian.

6. Funeral & Personal Wishes(optional)
I request that my funeral and related arrangements be carried out according to the wishes noted here:

– [cremation / burial / other preferences].

7. Digital Assets / Online Accounts(optional)
I appoint my Executor to manage and deal with any digital assets or online accounts in accordance with my wishes.

8. Signing & Witnessing
This Will is signed by me in the presence of the witnesses named below, who sign to confirm they witnessed my signature in accordance with local legal requirements.

Testator:
Signature: __________________________
Date: ______________________________

Witness 1:
Name: ______________________________
Address: ____________________________
Signature: __________________________
Date: _______________________________

Witness 2:
Name: ______________________________
Address: ____________________________
Signature: __________________________
Date: _______________________________

Robot Lawyer provides a professionally drafted Last Will and Testament template that adapts to the legal and signing requirements of the jurisdiction you choose. It covers all the key sections of a valid Will and is structured to reflect best-practice estate planning principles.

Unlike generic kits or free downloads, our template is solicitor-verified, clearly worded and kept up to date, giving you confidence that your wishes are documented correctly and your estate can be administered smoothly.

Create a professionally drafted Last Will and Testament — with Robot Lawyer

Start the questionnaire to generate your document

Last Will and Testament FAQs

Do I really need a Will?

Yes. Without a Will, your estate is distributed according to default intestacy laws, which may not reflect your wishes. Partners, stepchildren and friends may receive nothing unless specifically included.

Can I write my own Will?

Yes - but DIY Wills are easily invalidated due to unclear wording, missing clauses or incorrect witnessing. Using a professionally drafted or solicitor-verified template reduces the risk of mistakes.

Who can make a Will?

Generally, anyone over the age of 18 with mental capacity can make a Will, provided they understand the document and are acting voluntarily.

Who can act as a witness?

Witnesses must be independent adults. They cannot be beneficiaries, the spouse/partner of a beneficiary, or anyone who stands to gain from the Will.

Can an executor witness my Will?

In most jurisdictions, an executor may witness a Will as long as they are not also a beneficiary. However, the safest practice is to use fully independent witnesses.

Can I leave my estate to anyone I choose?

Usually yes. However, some regions allow certain dependants (such as spouses, partners or children) to make a claim if they are not reasonably provided for.

How often should I review my Will?

Review it every 3–5 years, or immediately after major life events: marriage, divorce, having children, buying property or receiving an inheritance.

Can I update or change my Will?

Yes. You can:

• create a new Will (the most common method), or
• add a codicil - a formal amendment that must also be signed and witnessed.

Are electronic or online-only Wills valid?

Most jurisdictions still require a physical signature and two witnesses. A fully digital Will is generally not accepted unless local law explicitly allows it.

What makes a Will invalid?

Common reasons include:

• incorrect or missing witnesses
• witnessing done at the wrong time
• unclear or contradictory wording
• signatures in the wrong place
• beneficiaries acting as witnesses
• pressure, fraud or lack of mental capacity

Can someone contest my Will?

Yes. A Will may be challenged if there are concerns about:

• undue influence or pressure
• lack of mental capacity
• improper witnessing
• unclear or contradictory instructions

Courts or estate authorities can investigate and make decisions.

Where should I store my Will?

Store the original in a secure but accessible place and tell your executors where it is. Options include:

• a home safe
• a solicitor or professional service
• a national Will registry
• a fireproof document storage facility

Can I include funeral wishes in my Will?

Yes, though they are not legally binding in all jurisdictions. Many people also tell executors verbally to ensure wishes are followed.

What is a codicil?

A codicil is a formal amendment to an existing Will. It must be signed and witnessed with the same formality as a full Will.

How many executors can I appoint?

Typically you can appoint one or more executors, with replacement executors as backups. Two executors is the most common setup.

Are “free Will templates” safe to use?

Free templates often lack legal clarity and fail to meet local requirements. Many estates using free templates end up in dispute or probate delays.

Does this Will work outside my country?

Robot Lawyer adapts the structure of your Will to the legal requirements of the jurisdiction you select. However, cross-border estates may require additional country-specific documents.

Why use Robot Lawyer’s Will template?

Robot Lawyer provides a solicitor-verified, professionally structured Will that adjusts to your jurisdiction, includes all required clauses, and avoids the common errors that make DIY Wills invalid - all at a far lower cost than traditional routes.

Create Your Last Will and Testament Online

Need to make a Will? Robot Lawyer makes it simple and affordable to create a clearly structured, solicitor-verified Last Will and Testament tailored to your wishes.

How it works:

1. Select Create Document ➝ below and start the questionnaire.
2. Answer a few straightforward questions about your estate and instructions.
3. Instantly receive a professionally drafted Will based on your answers.
4. Print, sign and witness it correctly to make it legally effective.

Start the questionnaire to generate your document