Making a will checklist
A solicitor writes the will; deciding what goes in it is your job. Work through this before the appointment so nothing gets missed on the day.
22 items
Makes your own editable copy. No account needed.
The items
- List of assets pulled together
- Property
- Savings and investments
- Pensions
- Life insurance
- Personal possessions worth naming specifically
- List of debts pulled together
- Executor or executors chosenOne or two people, or a solicitor, willing and able to do the job.
- Beneficiaries decided
- Who inherits what
- Any specific gifts to name individually
- What happens if a beneficiary dies before you
- Guardians named for any children under the age the current rules set
- Funeral wishes noted, if you want them recorded
- Digital assets listedAccounts, photos and anything online worth mentioning to an executor.
- Any existing will locatedIt needs to be properly revoked, not just replaced informally.
- Power of attorney considered alongside thisA separate document, but usually sorted at the same time — see this catalogue's power of attorney checklist.
- Inheritance tax position understood in outlineCheck the current rules and thresholds rather than assuming last year's figures still apply.
- Solicitor bookedThey draft the will and make sure it's signed and witnessed correctly — this list doesn't replace that.
- Witnesses arranged for signingTwo people, neither of them a beneficiary or married to one.
- Signed will stored somewhere safe and its location told to the executor
- Review date setAfter marriage, separation, a new child or any other major change.
Makes your own editable copy. No account needed.
Questions people ask
- Can I write my own will without a solicitor?
- It's possible but risky — a small mistake in how it's written or witnessed can invalidate it entirely. A solicitor is who drafts it properly and makes sure it holds up.
- Who should be named executor?
- Someone willing and able to deal with the admin, not necessarily the person closest to you emotionally. A solicitor can act as executor too, for a fee.
- Does getting married or separating affect an existing will?
- Often, yes. Check the current rules, and treat a will as something to revisit after any major change rather than something written once and left alone.