Will Template UK: What Your Will Should Include

If you have searched for "will template UK," you are not alone. Many people want to understand what a will looks like before they start making one, and some are looking for a blank form they can fill in themselves. In this guide, we explain what a proper will should contain, section by section, and why using a template alone — without professional review — can be risky.

What every will should include

A valid will in England and Wales needs to cover several key areas. Here are the essential sections:

1. Revocation clause

This is a statement at the beginning of your will that cancels all previous wills and codicils. It ensures there is no confusion about which document represents your final wishes. Without this clause, an earlier will could still be partially valid, leading to contradictions and disputes.

2. Appointment of executors

Your will must name one or more executors — the people responsible for carrying out the instructions in your will after you die. They will manage your estate, pay any debts and taxes, and distribute your assets to your beneficiaries. Most people appoint one or two trusted individuals, and it is wise to name a substitute in case your first choice is unable or unwilling to act.

3. Appointment of guardians

If you have children under 18, your will is the only legal way to choose who will look after them if both parents die. These are your legal guardians. Without a will naming guardians, the court will decide — and the result may not be what you would have wanted.

4. Specific gifts

These are bequests of particular items or sums of money to named individuals or organisations. For example, you might leave a piece of jewellery to a friend, a specific amount of money to a godchild, or a donation to a charity. Being precise about what you are leaving and to whom helps avoid confusion.

5. Residuary estate

After any debts, taxes, and specific gifts have been dealt with, the remainder of your estate is called the residuary estate. Your will should name one or more beneficiaries to receive this. For most people, the residuary estate makes up the largest part of what they leave behind, so this section is very important.

6. Attestation clause

This is the section at the end of your will where you and your witnesses sign. The attestation clause confirms that the will was signed correctly — by you, in the presence of two witnesses, who then signed in your presence. Getting this wrong is one of the most common reasons wills are found to be invalid.

See a real example

If you want to see what a finished will looks like, take a look at our sample will. It shows you the layout and wording of a professionally prepared, solicitor-checked will.

Why a blank template is risky

While it is perfectly legal to write your own will, doing so from a blank template comes with significant risks:

• No legal check: Nobody reviews your document for errors, ambiguities, or missing clauses.
• Easy to make mistakes: Legal wording matters. A small error — like failing to include a residuary clause — can mean part of your estate is distributed under intestacy rules rather than according to your wishes.
• May not cover your situation: A generic template cannot account for blended families, complex property ownership, business assets, or overseas property.
• Witnessing errors: The rules about how to sign a will are strict. If you get the witnessing wrong, the entire will can be invalid.

What a solicitor-checked will adds

A solicitor-checked will means a qualified solicitor has reviewed your will for legal accuracy, completeness, and clarity. They check that your wishes are properly expressed, that nothing important has been missed, and that the will is structured to be as effective as possible. This is a level of protection that no template can offer. And when your circumstances change, you can easily update your will.

Our approach

Rather than giving you a blank template to fill in, our service uses a guided questionnaire that builds your will section by section. You answer straightforward questions about your family, your assets, and your wishes, and we generate a properly structured will document. A qualified solicitor then reviews everything before your will is finalised.

Single wills start from just £60. Start making your will today.

Online wills provided by Make a Will Online.

And if you are wondering whether an online will is valid — yes, online wills are legally valid in England and Wales. It is the content and execution (signing and witnessing) that determine whether a will is legally binding, not the method used to create it.