This free planner helps you work out the decisions a will covers: your executors, who looks after any children under 18, your gifts and who gets everything else. The summary it builds is not a will: GOV.UK says that, in England and Wales, you need to get your will formally witnessed and signed to make it legally valid.
Key points
✓This is a planning tool, not a will: GOV.UK says that in England and Wales a will must be in writing and signed in the presence of 2 witnesses to be legally valid.
✓GOV.UK says your will should set out who you want to benefit, who should look after any children under 18, who is going to sort out your estate (your executor), and what happens if the people you want to benefit die before you.
✓The signing rules differ: mygov.scot says you do not need a witness for a will to be legally valid in Scotland, while article 5 of the Wills and Administration Proceedings (Northern Ireland) Order 1994 requires two or more witnesses present at the same time.
✓GOV.UK says you can get advice from a professional if your will is not straightforward, for example if you have a business or property overseas.
✓In Scotland, mygov.scot says your spouse, civil partner and children can claim a fixed share from part of your estate, even if you leave them nothing in your will.
Plan your will
Your will planning summary
Fill in the sections above and your summary will build here. You can then print it or save it as a PDF to take to a will-writing service or solicitor, or to use when writing your own will.
How to make it legal in England & Wales
Your summary above is not a will. This checklist sets out what the official sources say about making a valid will:
For a will to be legally valid in England and Wales, GOV.UK says you must be 18 or over, make it voluntarily, be of sound mind and make it in writing.
Sign it in the presence of 2 witnesses who are both over 18, and have it signed by your 2 witnesses, in your presence.
You and your witnesses must sign the same document.
When you sign your will, both of your witnesses must have a clear view of you and the act of signing, and you must have a clear view of them and the act of signing when they sign.
You cannot leave your witnesses (or their married partners) anything in your will.
GOV.UK says you should tell your executor, a close friend or relative where your will is.
GOV.UK says you can get advice from a professional if your will is not straightforward, for example if you share a property with someone who is not your husband, wife or civil partner, you have several family members who may make a claim on your will, your permanent home is outside the UK, you have property overseas, or you have a business.
This planner produces a summary of your wishes to help you organise your thoughts, it is not a will and has no legal effect. It is general information, not legal advice. Nothing you enter is stored or sent anywhere; it stays in your browser.
What this tool does, and doesn't do
✓Yes: It helps you organise your wishes into a clear, printable summary
✓Yes: It gives you a checklist of what the official sources say about making a valid will in your part of the UK
✗No: It does not create a legal will
✗No: It does not store or send anything you enter: it stays in your browser
GOV.UK says that in England and Wales you need to get your will formally witnessed and signed to make it legally valid. See our how to make a will guide.
What to think about before you start
Executors: GOV.UK says your will should set out who is going to sort out your estate and carry out your wishes after your death
Guardians: GOV.UK says your will should set out who should look after any children under 18, and mygov.scot says under 16 in Scotland
Specific gifts: GOV.UK says you can also include a charity in your will
The residue: GOV.UK says your will should set out what happens if the people you want to benefit die before you
Funeral wishes: MoneyHelper says you can write down your wishes and store them with your will, or share them with family or friends
GOV.UK says a surviving partner who was not married or in a civil partnership with the deceased has no automatic right to inherit if they die without a will. See dying without a will.
Turning your plan into a valid will
GOV.UK says you can write your will yourself, but you should get advice if your will is not straightforward. It says you can get advice from a professional, for example, if:
You share a property with someone who is not your husband, wife or civil partner
You want to leave money or property to a dependant who cannot care for themselves
You have several family members who may make a claim on your will, such as a second spouse or children from another marriage
Your permanent home is outside the UK
You have property overseas
You have a business
GOV.UK says a lasting power of attorney is a legal document that lets you appoint one or more people to help you make decisions or to make decisions on your behalf, and that it is legally binding only in England and Wales. Our power of attorney guide explains the different types.
No. The planner produces a summary of your wishes. GOV.UK says that in England and Wales a will must be in writing and signed in the presence of 2 witnesses, who must also sign it. mygov.scot says you do not need a witness for a will to be legally valid in Scotland, although a properly signed and witnessed will is self-proving. In Northern Ireland, article 5 of the Wills and Administration Proceedings (Northern Ireland) Order 1994 says no will is valid unless it is in writing and executed in accordance with its requirements, including signing in the presence of two or more witnesses present at the same time.
Is the will planner free?
Yes, the planner is free to use with no sign-up. Nothing you enter is stored or sent anywhere: it stays in your browser. You can print your summary or save it as a PDF.
Can I write my own will after using the planner?
GOV.UK says you can write your will yourself, but you should get advice if your will is not straightforward. Your printed summary gives you your decisions to work from.
Do I still need a solicitor?
GOV.UK says you can get advice from a professional if your will is not straightforward, for example if you share a property with someone who is not your husband, wife or civil partner, you want to leave money or property to a dependant who cannot care for themselves, you have several family members who may make a claim on your will, your permanent home is outside the UK, you have property overseas, or you have a business.