Online Wills in the UK: Complete Guide for 2026

Q: What happens without a will in the UK?

Dying intestate in the UK means the Rules of Intestacy apply. Unmarried partners — no matter how long together — receive nothing. Only married or civil partnership partners and blood relatives inherit under intestacy.

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✍️ Law-Trust.com Editorial Team · Editorial Policy · Last reviewed: March 2026

Over half of UK adults don't have a will — despite the fact that dying without one in the UK has serious consequences, particularly for unmarried partners who receive absolutely nothing under the Rules of Intestacy. Online will services make it faster and cheaper than ever to get protected, with quality options starting from just £25.

This guide covers UK will law (England, Wales, and Scotland), inheritance tax basics, the best online services for Brits, and an honest cost comparison with going to a solicitor. For our full UK ranking, see our Best Online Will Services UK guide.

UK Will Requirements: What Makes a Will Legal?

England and Wales (Wills Act 1837)

Must be in writing (typed or handwritten)
Signed by the testator at the foot of the document
The testator's signature must be witnessed by 2 adults present at the same time
Witnesses must sign the will in the testator's presence
Witnesses (and their spouses/civil partners) must NOT be beneficiaries — or they forfeit their gift
Testator must be 18+ (exceptions for military personnel on active service)
Testator must have testamentary capacity and be free from undue influence

Scotland (Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995)

Scotland has a distinct legal system. Key differences:

Only 1 witness required (not 2)
The witness must sign and add their name and address
No holographic (fully handwritten) wills are currently recognized in Scotland
Scotland has "legal rights" (Prior Rights and Legal Rights) that cannot be overridden by a will — a surviving spouse/civil partner and children have statutory rights to a portion of the moveable estate

Inheritance Tax in the UK

UK Inheritance Tax (IHT) is one of the most important considerations in UK estate planning:

Standard nil-rate band: £325,000 per person (2026)
Residence nil-rate band: Up to £175,000 additional if leaving your home to direct descendants
Maximum combined threshold for a couple: Up to £1,000,000 (combining both nil-rate bands and residence nil-rate bands)
IHT rate: 40% on the value above the threshold
Spouse/civil partner exemption: Assets passing to a UK-domiciled spouse are completely IHT-exempt
Charitable giving: Leaving 10%+ of net estate to charity reduces IHT rate to 36%

Online vs. Solicitor: Cost Comparison

Option	Typical Cost	Time Required	Best For
Online Will Service	£25–£150	20–45 minutes	Straightforward estates
Solicitor (basic will)	£150–£500	1–2 hours total	Moderate complexity
Solicitor (mirror wills)	£250–£700	2+ hours	Couples wanting matching wills
Solicitor (IHT planning)	£1,000–£3,000+	Multiple meetings	Estates over £500k, IHT mitigation

What Documents Do You Need for a UK Will?

Full legal names and addresses of beneficiaries
Full legal name and address of your executor(s)
Names of guardians for minor children (if applicable)
Description of specific gifts (jewelry, property, money)
Property addresses and any mortgage details
Details of any trusts you want to create
Charity names and registered charity numbers (if leaving charitable gifts)

Best Online Will Services for UK Residents

LegalWills.co.uk

9.3

UK's best purpose-built online will service for England, Wales & Scotland

Starting at £39.95 / one-time

England & Wales Scotland Mirror Wills Option Lasting POA Guidance Funeral Wishes

LegalWills.co.uk is purpose-built for the UK legal system — not an American platform with a UK overlay. It correctly handles English/Welsh and Scottish requirements separately, supports mirror wills for couples, and generates the proper attestation clause and witness instructions. Lifetime updates are included. The best choice for most UK residents.

Visit LegalWills.co.uk →

LawDepot (UK)

8.5

Well-established platform with solid UK will and LPA templates

Starting at £29 / document

England & Wales Lasting POA Attorney-Reviewed Multiple Doc Types

LawDepot offers solid UK will templates, including Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) documents. Their subscription plan is good value for those who need multiple legal documents. Note: better for England and Wales — Scotland coverage is more limited.

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Lasting Power of Attorney in the UK

A will only comes into effect at death. For incapacity planning, the UK equivalent is a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) — separate documents for property/financial affairs and health/welfare. LPAs must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) before they can be used, which takes 8–12 weeks and costs £82 per LPA (reduced or waived for low incomes).

The Law Society strongly recommends making an LPA alongside your will as part of complete life planning.

Make Your UK Will Today

Don't leave your partner, children, or estate unprotected. Compare the best UK will services and get started in under an hour.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are online wills legal in the UK?

Yes. Online wills are fully legal in England, Wales, and Scotland, provided they comply with the Wills Act 1837 (England/Wales) or the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995. The key requirements are: signed by the testator and witnessed by the correct number of independent adults.

How much does a will cost in the UK?

Online wills in the UK typically cost £25–£150. A solicitor charges £150–£500 for a basic will. For complex estates with IHT planning, solicitor costs can reach £1,000–£3,000+.

What is inheritance tax in the UK?

UK inheritance tax (IHT) is 40% on the estate value above the nil-rate band (£325,000 per person in 2026, with an additional residence nil-rate band of £175,000 if leaving your home to direct descendants). Married couples can combine allowances up to £1 million total.

Do I need a solicitor to make a will in the UK?

No. You do not need a solicitor to make a valid will in the UK. Many people use online will services or write their own will. However, for complex estates or IHT planning, professional advice is worthwhile.

What happens without a will in the UK?

The Rules of Intestacy apply. Unmarried partners — no matter how long together — receive nothing. Only married/civil partnership partners and blood relatives inherit. This is one of the strongest reasons to make a will urgently if you're in a committed but unmarried relationship.