March 2026: Why DIY wills often fail

A will seems straightforward, doesn't it? You decide who gets what, write it down, sign it, and you're done. That's why DIY wills appeal to so many people. Online templates cost far less than a professional will, so the savings seem obvious.

But here's what a lot of people don't realise until it's too late: a cheap or free will can end up costing your family far more than the will itself ever saved.

The problem with DIY wills

Wills aren't just about writing down your wishes. They're legally binding documents that have to meet strict requirements. If anything's wrong — missing signatures, incorrect wording, witness issues, or ambiguous instructions — the whole thing can be invalidated.

Some of the most common problems with DIY wills:

• Incorrect execution. The will must be signed by you and witnessed by two independent witnesses present at the same time. Under English law, a beneficiary (or their spouse) cannot act as a witness — if they do, the gift to them fails, and in some cases the whole will can be called into question. Online templates often don't explain this clearly.
• Ambiguous wording. "I leave my house to my children equally" sounds simple until you realise it doesn't specify what happens if one child dies before you, or whether they inherit the house itself or its value.
• Missing important details. Who's your executor? What if they refuse or die before you? What about your digital assets, your pets, guardianship for children? Many DIY wills leave these gaps.
• Unintended disinheritance. Poorly written wills sometimes accidentally exclude people you wanted to provide for, or include them in ways that cause family conflict.
• Tax inefficiency. If you have significant assets, a basic will might miss tax planning opportunities that could save your family thousands.

What it can cost to fix a bad will

If a will turns out to be invalid or ambiguous, the estate can face:

• Solicitor fees to resolve disputed wording or contest the will — often several thousand pounds, sometimes far more depending on complexity
• Months or years of delay while the dispute is resolved
• Emotional stress and family conflict at an already difficult time
• If the will is found invalid, the estate passing under the intestacy rules instead of the deceased's actual wishes

This is separate from the Court of Protection, which deals with people who are still alive but have lost mental capacity — that's LPA territory, not will disputes. A contested or invalid will is dealt with through probate, and contentious probate cases are exactly the kind of expensive, drawn-out process a properly drafted will is designed to avoid.

When DIY might work

To be fair, a DIY will might be okay if:

• You're single with no dependants
• You have minimal assets
• You have no complex family situation
• Your instructions are absolutely straightforward

Even then, the risk isn't zero — the formalities still have to be followed correctly.

What you actually need

A proper will should include:

• Clear instructions for who inherits what
• Appointment of an executor you trust
• Guardianship decisions if you have children
• Tax-efficient planning if you have significant assets
• Instructions for specific wishes (funeral preferences, charitable donations, etc.)
• Proper legal execution that stands up in law

When you work with a professional, you get all of that sorted — plus the peace of mind that if anything's ever questioned, your will holds up.

The bottom line: A will is one of the most important documents you'll ever create. It deserves to be done right. From £79, it's not expensive. A disputed or invalid one can cost far more — in money, time, and family stress.