Guides Wills

Writing or updating your will

Deed of variation: how to vary your entitlement to someone’s estate after their death

A Deed of Variation allows beneficiaries to make changes to their entitlement following someone’s death. You cannot rewrite someone’s will after they've died, but the law does let you change what you're entitled to from the estate.

How to reduce inheritance tax

You can avoid inheritance tax by leaving everything to your spouse or civil partner in your will. Alternatively, you could reduce your inheritance tax bill by giving gifts while you're alive or leaving part of your estate to charity.

What is the inheritance tax threshold for 2023/24?

The inheritance tax threshold for 2023/24 is £325,000. Anything over the threshold is liable to 40% tax – but it doesn’t apply to every case.

What is a mirror will and do I need one?

When couples in the UK think about writing a will, the term ‘mirror will’ often springs to mind. But is it really the best option for you and your partner?

What happens if you don't write a will?

When someone dies without writing a will, their estate is shared out following the rules of intestacy. Here, we’ll cover what this means and who can inherit when there isn’t a valid will in place.

What is next of kin?

Next of kin is the term used to describe your closest living relative, such as your spouse or civil partner. The UK does not have laws around who you can name as your next of kin, but there are specific rules for who takes responsibility when someone dies.

What are the rules of intestacy?

The rules of intestacy decide what happens to someone’s estate when they die without a will.

6 reasons why you might want to change your will

You may have written your will already, but that doesn't always mean your needs and wishes are always going to stay the same. In fact, most lawyers recommend reviewing your will every 2 to 3 years.

3 reasons every parent needs a will

If you have children, you need a will to secure their future. Over the next few minutes, we’ll explain the 3 ways your will protects your family, and how you can get it done online in less than 15 minutes.

Amanda Clarke: “Making a will became a priority following the unexpected death of my ex-husband”

In the UK, over 30 million people are at risk of dying without a will. Here, we see the tragic consequences of leaving your loved ones unprotected.

What happens after you’ve written a will?

Our online will writing service makes it quick and easy to write a will from the comfort of your own home. Here, we'll cover what happens next to make your will legally binding, plus some tips on storing it safely at home.

5 ways we’ve taken the stress out of writing a will

Over 30 million adults in the UK don’t have a will. And who can blame them? It’s complex, stressful and incredibly expensive. At least, that’s the way it used to be...

Can you change a will after someone’s died?

If you’re the person looking after a loved one’s will (the executor) or you’re due to inherit something, you might be wondering whether the will is set in stone. This guide talks you through how and why people make changes to a will.

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