Single Will UK: How to Write One (2026 Guide)
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A single will is one of the most straightforward ways to set out what you want to happen to your money, property and possessions when you die. It belongs to one person and reflects that person's wishes alone, which makes it a natural choice for anyone whose circumstances or intentions differ from a partner's, or who simply has no partner at all.
In this guide I'll walk through what a single will actually does, the situations where it tends to be the right fit, the key sections that make one legally effective, and the practical steps involved in getting one in place. I've also added a set of FAQs covering the questions I hear most often from people thinking about writing their first will in England and Wales.
What this document is
A single will is a written legal document made by one individual, known as the testator, setting out how they want their estate handled after death. The estate includes everything owned at the point of death: bank accounts, property, vehicles, investments, personal items, digital assets and any interests in businesses.
Unlike a mirror will or a joint will, a single will stands alone. It can be changed or revoked at any time by the person who made it, without needing anyone else's agreement. A well-drafted single will typically covers the appointment of executors, the naming of beneficiaries, specific gifts of money or items, arrangements for any residuary estate, guardianship wishes for children under 18, and instructions about funeral preferences.
For many people, it's the single most important document they'll ever sign. Without a valid will in place, the intestacy rules in England and Wales decide who inherits, and those rules often produce outcomes that don't match what people actually want for their loved ones.
How to use this document
- Take stock of what you own and who matters. Before drafting anything, list your main assets and liabilities and think carefully about who you want to benefit. Consider dependants, close family, friends, and any charities you'd like to support. This groundwork makes the rest of the process far smoother.
- Choose your executors thoughtfully. Executors handle the practical work of administering your estate, so pick people you trust to be organised, even-handed and willing to take on the role. Many people appoint two executors, and it's sensible to check they're happy to act before naming them.
- Decide on guardians if you have young children. If you have children under 18, naming a guardian in your will is one of the most important decisions you'll make. Talk to the person you have in mind first so they understand what you're asking and can agree in principle.
- Put the will in writing and have it properly witnessed. For a will to be valid in England and Wales, you must be at least 18, have mental capacity, and sign it in the presence of two independent witnesses who then sign in your presence. Witnesses and their spouses cannot benefit under the will, so choose them carefully.
- Store the original safely and tell someone where it is. The original signed will needs to be kept somewhere secure, whether that's with a professional storage service, your bank, or a fireproof box at home. There's no point having a will if nobody can find it, so let your executors know where to look.
Common questions
If you're dealing with this kind of situation, speak to an experienced legal adviser who can walk you through it — from £89.
Common questions
Q Do I need a solicitor to make a single will?
No, there's no legal requirement to use a solicitor. You can write a will yourself or use a will-writing service, and it will be valid as long as it meets the formal signing and witnessing requirements. That said, if your circumstances are complex, for example you own a business, have been married more than once, or have dependants with additional needs, professional input can help you avoid mistakes that might only come to light after you've died.
Q What happens if I die without a will in England or Wales?
If you die intestate, which means without a valid will, the intestacy rules decide who inherits your estate. These rules follow a fixed order based on family relationships, so unmarried partners, stepchildren and friends typically receive nothing regardless of how close the relationship was. Making a will is the only reliable way to ensure your estate goes where you want it to go.
Q Can I change my single will after it's signed?
Yes. You can update your will at any time while you have mental capacity. Minor changes can be made using a document called a codicil, which must be signed and witnessed in the same way as a will. For bigger changes, it's usually cleaner to write a new will that revokes the previous one. Review your will every few years and after major life events.
Q Does marriage or divorce affect my existing will?
Getting married generally revokes any existing will unless the will was specifically made in contemplation of that marriage. Divorce doesn't revoke a will, but it does mean any gift to your former spouse, and any appointment of them as executor, is treated as if they had died on the date of the divorce. Both events are strong triggers for reviewing and often rewriting your will.
Q Who can be a witness to my will?
Witnesses must be 18 or over, have mental capacity, and be physically present when you sign. Crucially, a witness, or a witness's spouse or civil partner, cannot be a beneficiary under the will. If they are, the gift to them fails even though the will remains valid. Neighbours, colleagues or friends who don't stand to inherit are usually safe choices.
Q Where should I keep my will once it's signed?
Keep the original somewhere safe, dry and accessible to your executors after your death. Options include professional will storage offered by some solicitors and will writers, the Probate Service's storage facility, your bank, or a secure place at home. Avoid anywhere that could be lost in a move or house clearance, and make sure at least one trusted person knows where to find it.
Q Is a single will enough if I'm in a long-term relationship but not married?
For many unmarried couples, a single will is exactly what's needed, because unmarried partners have no automatic inheritance rights under the intestacy rules. Without a will naming your partner, they could be left with nothing. A single will lets you make clear provision for them. Just bear in mind that inheritance tax treatment for unmarried couples differs from married couples or civil partners.
If you're dealing with this kind of situation, speak to an experienced legal adviser who can walk you through it — from £89.
Sources
This guide is based on primary UK law and official guidance.
- Guidance · UK GovMaking a will – gov.ukgov.uk
- Guidance · UK GovIntestacy – who inherits if someone dies without a willgov.uk
- LegislationWills Act 1837legislation.gov.uk
- Guidance · UK GovHMRC Inheritance Tax guidancegov.uk
Legal helpline
Unsure whether a single will fits your situation?
Writing a will means thinking carefully about family, assets and what happens if things don't go to plan. An experienced legal adviser can talk it through with you on the phone and help you think through the key decisions based on what you describe.
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Legal disclaimer
This article is for general information only. It is a tool to help you find your way — not legal advice, and not a substitute for speaking to a qualified adviser about your situation.