Are online wills legal?

Yes, online wills are completely legal in England and Wales. The law does not care how a will is drafted - whether by a solicitor in a high-street office or by you at your kitchen table using an online service. What matters is that the finished document meets the requirements set out in the Wills Act 1837. For a breakdown of what your will should include, see our separate guide. If it does, it is every bit as legally binding as a will prepared by the most expensive law firm in the country.

What the Wills Act 1837 requires

The Wills Act 1837 (as amended) sets out the rules that every will in England and Wales must follow. Here is what is required and how an online will meets each point:

1. The will must be in writing

There is no requirement for a will to be handwritten. A typed, printed document is perfectly valid. When you use an online will service, your answers are used to generate a professionally formatted document that you then print out. This satisfies the "in writing" requirement.

2. The testator must sign the will

The "testator" is simply the person making the will - that is you. You must sign the printed will yourself, with a pen, in the presence of two witnesses. An online service cannot do this step for you, but it will provide clear instructions on exactly how and where to sign.

3. Two witnesses must be present and sign

Both witnesses must be in the room with you when you sign. They must each watch you sign, and then they each sign the will themselves, in your presence and in the presence of each other. The witnesses must be over 18 and must not be beneficiaries of the will (or married to a beneficiary), because that would invalidate their gift.

4. The testator must have mental capacity

You must understand what you are doing when you make your will. This means you understand that you are making a will, you have a general idea of what you own, and you understand who might reasonably expect to benefit. Most adults easily meet this standard.

5. The testator must know and approve the contents

You must actually understand what your will says and agree with it. With an online service, you make all the decisions yourself by answering guided questions, so this requirement is naturally satisfied.

Common concerns about online wills

Is an online will as good as one from a solicitor?

For most people with straightforward wishes, an online will is just as effective. The legal validity is identical. The key difference is the level of personal advice you receive. A solicitor sitting with you might spot a tax-planning opportunity or a family complication you had not considered. That is why the best online services include a solicitor review of your draft will, giving you the benefits of both approaches.

What could make a will invalid?

The most common reasons a will is found to be invalid are:

• It was not signed properly, or was signed without two witnesses present
• A beneficiary (or their spouse) acted as a witness, which voids that person's gift
• The testator lacked mental capacity when the will was made
• There is evidence that someone pressured the testator into making the will (known as "undue influence")
• A later will or marriage has revoked it

None of these problems are unique to online wills. They can happen with any will, including those drafted by solicitors.

Why choose an online will?

• Convenience - complete the questionnaire from home, at your own pace, at any time of day
• Cost-effective - typically a fraction of the cost of visiting a solicitor in person
• Guided process - clear prompts and explanations help ensure nothing important is missed
• Easy to update - when your circumstances change, you can log in and make amendments
• No appointments needed - no need to take time off work or arrange childcare

The role of the solicitor check

At Make a Will, every will is reviewed by a qualified solicitor before you sign it. The solicitor checks that the will is clearly worded, legally sound, and that your instructions make practical sense. If they spot anything that could cause problems - an ambiguous gift, a missing clause, or a potential tax issue - they will get in touch with you to discuss it. This extra layer of professional oversight means you get the convenience of an online service with the reassurance of expert legal review.