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FREE TEMPLATE / PERSONAL, FAMILY AND LEGAL

Last Will and Testament (England and Wales)

A simple will for someone who lives in England or Wales. It cancels earlier wills, names executors and a back-up, names a guardian for children under 18, leaves particular gifts and the rest of the estate, and is signed in ink in front of two witnesses.

For the United Kingdom.

Download the free PDF

This page lists how to sign it in the United Kingdom. See how it is signed

First page of the Last Will and Testament (England and Wales) template
PDF, 3 pages, 14 KB
THE DOCUMENT

What it covers

The template has 9 parts.

  1. Earlier wills
  2. Executors and trustees
  3. Guardian
  4. Particular gifts
  5. The rest of my estate
  6. Surviving me
  7. Powers of my trustees
  8. Funeral wishes
  9. Signing
BEFORE YOU START

What you will be asked

Have these details ready. The template needs them before anyone signs.

  • What is your full name, as it appears on your passport or driving licence?
  • What is your home address?
  • Do you live in England or in Wales?
  • Who should carry out your will? Give one or two people, with their full names and addresses.
  • Who should act if an executor cannot or will not? Give a full name and address, or say none.Optional
  • If you have children under 18, who should look after them if no parent with parental responsibility is alive? Say none if this does not apply.Optional
  • Do you want to leave any particular items or sums of money to someone? Say who gets what, or say none.Optional
  • Who should receive everything else you own, and in what shares? Say who inherits if that person dies before you.
  • Do you have any funeral wishes you want written down? Say none if not.Optional
THE PEOPLE

Who signs

Everyone the template names, and what each one does.

  • Person making the willSigns
  • First witnessWitness
  • Second witnessWitness
SIGNING RULES

How it is signed in the United Kingdom

The rules for a last will and testament depend on where it is signed. Laws change, so check the sources before anyone signs.

United Kingdom

Print and sign in ink

Each part of the UK sets its own rules. This page covers England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Check the rules anywhere else before anyone signs.

Rules by part of the UK

Signing rules by part of the UK in the United Kingdom
Part of the UKHow it is signedE-signatureWitnessesNotaryRegistrationStamp duty
EnglandPrint and sign in inkNot acceptedTwoNot neededOptionalNot needed

The Wills Act 1837 section 9 needs the will in writing and signed by the person making it in the presence of two witnesses. An electronic signature does not meet it.

Northern IrelandPrint and sign in inkNot acceptedTwoNot neededNot neededNot needed

Sign the will on paper.

ScotlandPrint and sign in inkNot acceptedOneNot neededOptionalNot needed

Sign a Scottish will on paper.

WalesPrint and sign in inkNot acceptedTwoNot neededOptionalNot needed

The Wills Act 1837 section 9 needs the will in writing and signed in the presence of two witnesses. An electronic signature does not meet it.

QUESTIONS

Common questions

Answers from the signing rules on this page.

Can the last will and testament be signed electronically in the United Kingdom?

No, in all 4 parts of the UK on this page.

How many witnesses does the last will and testament need in the United Kingdom?

It depends on the part of the UK. The 4 parts of the UK on this page ask for one to two. The table lists each one.

Does the last will and testament need a notary in the United Kingdom?

No, in all 4 parts of the UK on this page.

Does the last will and testament need to be registered in the United Kingdom?

No, in all 4 parts of the UK on this page.

Is stamp duty due on the last will and testament in the United Kingdom?

No, in all 4 parts of the UK on this page.

THE RIGHT TEMPLATE

Where it fits

For England and Wales only. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own rules. Trusts, business property, foreign assets or a blended family need a solicitor.

A CAREFUL CHECK

Before you rely on it

Original Centilio wording, not legal advice. A simple will under the Wills Act 1837 for England and Wales. It does not create life interest or discretionary trusts, deal with business or agricultural property relief, foreign property or inheritance tax planning. A witness who inherits, or whose spouse or civil partner inherits, loses that gift. Marriage or civil partnership after signing cancels the will unless it was made in expectation of it. Ask a solicitor where any of this applies.