Will

A will is a legal document in which a person (the testator) sets out who is to inherit their property and who is to administer their estate after they die. A valid will appoints one or more executors, names beneficiaries for specific assets or shares of the residue, may name guardians for any children under 18, and overrides the default intestacy rules that would otherwise apply. [source: gov-uk/make-will-2026-05-02.html]

Validity in England and Wales and Northern Ireland: governed by the Wills Act 1837 (England and Wales) and the Wills and Administration Proceedings (Northern Ireland) Order 1994. The will must be in writing, signed by the testator at the end, and witnessed by two adults present at the same time as the signing, neither of whom may be a beneficiary or the spouse of a beneficiary; if either witness does benefit, that gift is void but the rest of the will stands. [source: legislation-gov-uk/wills-act-1837-2026-05-02.html]

Validity in Scotland: governed by the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995. A Scottish will is valid with the testator's signature alone, but a single witness aged 16 or over makes it self-proving, which avoids the need for evidence of the signature in any later challenge. Scottish wills are also subject to legal rights — the surviving spouse, civil partner, and children have a fixed claim on the deceased's moveable estate that cannot be defeated by the will.

Revocation: in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland a will is automatically revoked by marriage or civil partnership unless made expressly in contemplation of that marriage. Divorce does not revoke the will but treats the former spouse as having predeceased the testator. In Scotland, marriage does not revoke the will, but the new spouse may claim legal rights. A will may also be revoked deliberately, by destruction or by a later will containing a revocation clause. [source: gov-uk/make-will-2026-05-02.html]

Updating: small amendments may be made by codicil (a formal supplementary document signed and witnessed in the same way as the will). Substantial changes are normally made by replacing the will entirely.

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AfterLoss

See how AfterLoss handles information and documents for where to store and share the will, with related guidance at where to keep a will.

Last verified: 2 May 2026 against gov.uk/make-will and the Wills Act 1837.