Single Parent Wills UK: Guardianship & Trusts Guide

What this document is

A will for a single parent is a legal document that sets out who should look after your children, who should manage your estate, and how your assets should be used for your children's benefit if you die while they are still dependent. In England and Wales, wills are governed by the Wills Act 1837, which requires the document to be in writing, signed by you, and witnessed by two people who are present at the same time.

For single parents, the document typically does three jobs at once. It names a guardian who would take over the day-to-day care of your children. It appoints executors and trustees who handle the estate and manage money held for the children.

And it directs how your property, savings, pensions (where relevant), and personal possessions should be distributed. The point is not just to say who gets what. It is to make sure the people you trust are legally empowered to step in quickly and act in your children's interests without unnecessary delay or court involvement.

How to use this document

1. Take stock of what you own and what your children will need. Before you write anything, list your assets: property, savings, investments, life insurance, pensions, and anything of value. Then think about what your children will actually need money for as they grow up. Housing, education, day-to-day costs, and a buffer for emergencies all matter. This picture shapes every other decision in the will. 2. Choose a guardian and have the conversation. The guardian is the person who would raise your children if you died. Think about who shares your values, who has a genuine bond with your children, and who has the practical capacity to take them on. Age, health, location, and their own family circumstances all count. Crucially, ask them first. A surprise appointment rarely works well for anyone. 3. Decide who manages the money. Executors deal with your estate after you die, and trustees hold money for your children until they are old enough to receive it. These can be the same people as the guardian, but often it is wiser to split the roles. Separating caregiving from money management creates a natural check and reduces pressure on any one person. 4. Set up a trust for your children. Children under 18 cannot inherit outright in England and Wales, so any inheritance is held in trust. You can use a basic bare trust, or build something more structured that releases funds at particular ages or for particular purposes such as education. Think about the age at which you want your children to have full control, because 18 can feel very young when a substantial sum is involved. 5. Sign, witness, and store the will properly. The will must be signed by you in the presence of two independent adult witnesses, who then sign in your presence. Witnesses and their spouses or civil partners must not be beneficiaries. Once signed, keep the original somewhere safe and tell your executors where to find it. Review the will after any major life event, including a new relationship, a new child, a house move, or the death of a named guardian.

Common questions