Whilst it is possible to make a Will yourself, there are certain criteria that must be met to ensure that the Will will be valid.

You must be at least 18 years old to make a Will and it must be in writing. The Will needs to be signed by the person making it in the presence of two independent witnesses, who also need to be over the age of 18. The witnesses must sign the Will in front of you after it has been written and you have signed it.

When making a Will, you must also have full mental capacity and a full understanding of the contents of your Will and the decisions you have made. You must also have made it voluntarily without any pressure from anyone to do so.

You should include the date your Will was signed on. Whilst this being excluded will not make it invalid, it is advisable to include it.

It's important to ensure that a Will is valid when it is made. Otherwise, unless there is a previous valid Will, you will be deemed to have died intestate (died without a Will). Your estate will then be dealt with under the rules of intestacy, meaning that your estate will not be dealt with in line with your wishes. The people who you would like to inherit your estate may not receive what you would like them to.

If you are thinking of making a Will, we would always advise your to instruct a solicitor so you have peace of mind. You can call our team on 01706 644187 and we will be happy to help.