Originally published: 19 February 2021 | Last updated: 19 February 2026
TL;DR. Writing a Will From Home
You have the ability to create a legal Will document which lets you stay in your house. The LegalWills.co.uk interactive website lets you build your Will through an online system which completes the process within 20 minutes at a cost of £49.95. You need two adult witnesses who must watch you sign the document to fulfill the requirement for personal attendance. The COVID-19 pandemic brought emergency rules which let people watch documents online but these rules expired after their initial implementation.
Can You Write a Will Without Leaving Your Home?
Yes. Most people understand Will creation needs to be done but around 60 to 65 percent of UK adults have not created their own Will yet. The COVID-19 pandemic led people to start working on this essential estate planning document while they stayed protected at home. The pandemic brought a sharp increase in people who wanted to get protection for their family through LegalWills.co.uk.
The entire Will-writing process can be completed online. The only step that requires physical presence is the signing ceremony. Your Will must be signed in front of two witnesses. The pandemic emergency laws also made changes to that system.
Why Is Writing a Will So Important?
People should always have a Will because it provides them with the most effective solution to handle their estate. The law distributes your estate through intestacy rules when you fail to create a Will which might produce results that deviate from your intended distribution. A Will allows you to:
Select which people should receive your assets while you determine the exact amounts they will receive
Choose guardians who will take care of your children when they become minors
Select a reliable Executor who will handle the administration of your estate
Add charitable donations to your will
The process will help you stop family disagreements from happening while saving money through reduced court expenses
What Are the Options for Writing a Will From Home?
Multiple options exist for drafting your Will which allow you to avoid going to a solicitor’s office. Each has distinct advantages and drawbacks:
Option
Cost
Pros
Cons
Online interactive service
£24.95. £49.95
The service provides users with step-by-step questions and pre-approved legal documents which deliver quick results.
People with complex estates need to seek professional guidance beyond this service.
Blank Will kit / DIY form
£5. £30
The product costs very little money.
The system produces many mistakes because it lacks user assistance which creates dangerous situations.
Handwritten (holographic) Will
Free
The service operates without charging any fees.
The document needs witnesses to become valid in England and Wales.
Solicitor via video call
£150. £600+
The service provides professional advice which helps people manage their complex estates.
The service costs a lot but you need to show up at the office for signing documents.
How Does the Online Will Service at LegalWills.co.uk Work?
LegalWills.co.uk requires users to spend twenty minutes for their service which costs £49.95. People who want to start this process do not need to provide any specific information. Users can save their work to continue editing their projects at different times.
What Are the Steps to Create Your Will Online?
The service guides you through the following sections:
Personal information: Your name, address, and basic details
Family members: Spouse/partner, children, and dependants
Executor appointment: Choose who will administer your estate
Bequests: Specific gifts of money, property, or possessions
Estate distribution: How the remainder of your estate is divided
Guardian appointment: Name guardians for minor children
Additional provisions: Funeral wishes, digital assets, pet care
Review and download: Check your document and print it
You do not need to complete every section. The guardianship section becomes unnecessary when you have no children to worry about. The service will create a legal document by combining your answers into a professional format.
How Do You Sign a Will Written at Home?
You need to have two adult witnesses who must be present together to watch you sign the Will after you have printed it from your download. The witnesses must then sign the Will in your presence. Key rules for signing your Will:
Both witnesses must be aged 18 or over
Witnesses cannot be beneficiaries of the Will or married to beneficiaries
All three people (you and both witnesses) must be physically present at the same time
Each person signs the same physical document
Was Video Witnessing Ever Allowed?
Yes. The UK government through the Wills Act 1837 (Electronic Communications) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Order 2020 established video call Will witnessing as a temporary measure during the COVID-19 pandemic. The emergency measure applied to all Wills which people created between 31 January 2020 and 31 January 2024. The rule expired so people need to watch Wills through face-to-face meetings now.
What Other Estate Planning Documents Can You Prepare From Home?
A Will functions as a single element which forms part of a complete estate planning system. At LegalWills.co.uk, you can also prepare:
Lasting Power of Attorney for Property and Financial Affairs: This document lets you select a person who will handle your financial matters when you become unable to manage them.
Lasting Power of Attorney for Health and Welfare: This document lets you select a person who should make medical decisions for you when you need assistance.
Living Will (Advance Decision): Documents your wishes regarding medical treatment
Expressions of Wishes (Letter of Wishes): Provides guidance to your Executor about your preferences
You can make all these documents through online services which require no travel to any physical location. The KeyHolder plan from LegalWills.co.uk offers a complete package which includes your Will together with two Powers of Attorney and other estate planning resources.
What Should You Avoid When Writing a Will at Home?
People should avoid these errors when they write their Wills from their homes:
A blank Will kit lacks instructions and produces documents which contain numerous errors. People should stay away from creating handwritten Wills because England and Wales do not accept such documents when they remain unwitnessed.
You must remember to update your Will whenever your life experiences marriage or divorce or when new family members arrive or when someone passes away. You should not require beneficiaries to witness your Will because this practice would make their inheritance through the Will invalid. You do not need to sign a Will which does not contain your signature because it will have zero legal impact.
How Much Does It Cost to Write a Will From Home?
The cost of these services will vary depending on which option you select for completing your Will.
Method
Typical Cost
Time Required
LegalWills.co.uk single Will
£49.95
20 minutes
LegalWills.co.uk KeyHolder plan
£49.95/year
30: 45 minutes
Solicitor (remote consultation)
£150. £600+
1: 3 weeks
DIY Will kit
£5. £30
1: 2 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an online Will legally valid in the UK?
Yes. An online Will service generates a document that complies with the Wills Act 1837. The Will becomes legally binding once it is properly signed and witnessed. The method of drafting (online, solicitor, or handwritten) does not affect its legal validity. Only the signing requirements matter.
Do I need a solicitor to write a Will?
No. There is no legal requirement to use a solicitor. A reputable online Will service provides legally compliant documents suitable for the vast majority of estates. A solicitor needs to become involved when someone has an estate which contains business assets together with overseas properties and trust arrangements.
Can I update my Will after writing it online?
Yes. With the LegalWills.co.uk KeyHolder plan, you can update your Will at any time at no extra cost. Each update generates a new document that must be printed and signed again. You can also make changes using a codicil.
What happens if I die without a Will?
The law follows specific rules to distribute your estate when you pass away without creating a Will. Your spouse may not inherit everything, unmarried partners receive nothing, and the distribution may not match your wishes.
He has over 20 years of experience helping people to write their Will and other estate planning documents. He has been interviewed by many of the major news media outlets and has contributed to articles in most leading publications. He has also contributed to a number of financial planning books.
Throughout his career, Tim has written extensively on the subject of Will writing and estate planning.
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