Will Writing Solicitors
Making a Will in England and Wales
Without a will, the law — not you — decides who inherits your estate. For unmarried partners, blended families, and anyone with property or dependants, that can mean serious and irreversible consequences.
Speak to Osbornes Law's specialist will writing solicitors. Call 020 7485 8811.
“The practice at Osbornes often acts for a wide range of HNW individuals and families on complex estate and trust cases, frequently dealing with cross-border estates.”
“Jan is highly regarded by other private client lawyers: honestly, she’s the lawyer other lawyers would choose to deal with their own affairs. She keenly identifies the issues to focus on and delivers.”
Osbornes Law has a specialist private client team ranked in the Chambers High Net Worth guide, holding the Law Society’s Wills and Inheritance Quality Scheme (WIQS) kitemark. We act for clients across London, the UK and internationally.
Making a will is one of the most practical things you can do for the people you love. Without one, the law decides how your estate is divided — and that is unlikely to reflect your wishes or protect those closest to you.
Our will writing solicitors take the time to understand your circumstances before advising on the right approach. Whether you want a straightforward will or need advice on inheritance tax, foreign property, or complex family arrangements, we will make sure your wishes are properly documented and legally valid.
Why you need a Will (and what happens if you don’t have one)
If you die without a will, your estate — your money, property and possessions — will be distributed according to the rules of intestacy. These rules are rigid. An unmarried partner cannot inherit under intestacy regardless of how long you have been together. Neither can friends, stepchildren, or anyone who is not a close blood relative.
A will also lets you name an executor — the person responsible for administering your estate — and appoint a guardian for any children under 18. If you own a business, hold shares, have digital assets, or property abroad, a will ensures these are dealt with according to your specific instructions rather than a legal default that may not suit your situation.
Disputes relating to wills can be costly and time-consuming to resolve. A clearly drafted will, prepared by a qualified solicitor, significantly reduces the risk of ambiguity and family conflict.
See also:What is a mirror will? | A guide to will trusts | Mutual wills | Digital assets and your will | Deed of variation | What to do when someone dies
Legal requirements for a valid Will
A will must meet certain requirements to be valid in England and Wales:
- It must be in writing and signed by the person making the will.
- The signature must be made or acknowledged in the presence of two witnesses, both present at the same time.
- Both witnesses must then sign the will in the presence of the person making it.
- Witnesses cannot be beneficiaries — nor can their spouses or civil partners.
- The person making the will must have testamentary capacity: they must understand what a will is, the extent of their estate, and who their beneficiaries are.
You are not legally required to use a solicitor or will writing lawyer, but errors in drafting or execution are more common in wills prepared without professional advice. A poorly worded will — or one signed incorrectly — can be invalid or open to challenge. Our solicitors make sure everything is done properly the first time.
What should your will include?
A well-drafted will should cover:
- Executors — the person or persons responsible for carrying out the instructions in your will. This can be a family member, a trusted friend, or a professional such as your solicitor. We can act as a professional executor if you prefer — find out more about estate administration and understanding executor responsibilities.
- Beneficiaries — who inherits, and in what proportions. This includes specific gifts (a sum of money, a particular item) and the residuary estate (everything remaining after specific gifts and debts are settled).
- Guardians — if you have children under 18, your will is the place to record who you would want to care for them.
- Trusts — if you are providing for a vulnerable adult, a young child, or want to structure how assets pass to the next generation, a will trust may be appropriate. See our guide to will trusts or speak to our team about trust structures for estate planning.
- Digital assets — online accounts, cryptocurrency, and intellectual property. See our article on digital assets and your will.
- Foreign property — if you own assets abroad, specific advice is required as different rules apply in different countries. See our guide to international estate planning and why you may need more than one will.
- Funeral wishes — these are not legally binding but can be recorded in your will as a guide for your executors.
When should you update your will?
A will is not a one-off document. Your circumstances change, and your will should keep pace.
You should review your will after any major life event: marriage (which automatically revokes a previous will in England and Wales), divorce, the birth of a child, a significant change in your assets, or the death of a named executor or beneficiary. As a general rule, it is good practice to review your will every three to five years regardless.
If you need to make a minor change, this can be done through a formal written amendment called a codicil, rather than drafting an entirely new document. Your solicitor will advise on which approach is more appropriate for your situation.
Who we help
Our will writing solicitors in London act for a wide range of clients:
- Individuals making a first will — we can guide you through everything that needs to be considered and have a draft ready efficiently.
- Couples — including mirror wills for spouses or civil partners who want to make coordinated provisions for each other.
- Unmarried partners — the law does not automatically protect you. See our cohabitation lawyers page for broader advice on protecting cohabiting partners’ rights. A will is essential if you want your partner to inherit.
- Parents — particularly those with young children who need a guardian named, or who want to set up a will trust for their children’s benefit.
- Business owners — shareholdings and business interests need to be addressed specifically in your will, or they may not pass as you intend.
- High-net-worth individuals and families — we advise on inheritance tax planning, estate planning, will trusts, and estate structures designed to pass wealth efficiently across generations.
- Clients with international assets — our team is recognised in the Chambers High Net Worth guide for handling complex cross-border estates. See our international estate planning services.
- Those whose circumstances have changed — separation, remarriage, a bereavement, or a significant change in your financial position may all require your will to be updated.
We also advise on Lasting Powers of Attorney, which work alongside your will to ensure that someone you trust can manage your affairs if you lose mental capacity.
Why choose Osbornes Law for will writing?
Our private client team holds the Law Society’s Wills and Inheritance Quality Scheme (WIQS) kitemark. Several of our solicitors are members of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) — the leading professional body for practitioners in wills, trusts and estates — and we are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
We are ranked in the Chambers High Net Worth guide, which recognises us for acting for a wide range of high-net-worth individuals and families on complex estate and trust matters, frequently with cross-border elements. We act for clients nationally and internationally; you do not need to be based in London to work with us.
We can prepare wills tailored to straightforward circumstances or highly complex ones, including estates involving companies, intellectual property, literary estates, digital assets, and property in multiple jurisdictions. Our fees are fixed for standard wills, and all costs are confirmed with you before work begins.
Our will writing fees
We charge a fixed fee of £750 + VAT for the preparation of a straightforward will.
Where your circumstances are more complex — for example, where inheritance tax advice is required, where there are assets abroad, or where trust structures are involved — an hourly rate applies. This will always be discussed and confirmed with you before any work begins, with no hidden charges.
A will questionnaire is available to download, complete and return to willsonline@osborneslaw.com as a first step.
Speak to a will writing solicitor today
Call us on 020 7485 8811 or fill in the contact form below and a member of our private client team will be in touch.
Writing a Will FAQs
What age should I be when I make my Will?
You can make a valid will once you are 18. There is no upper age limit, provided you have the mental capacity to do so. If you own property, have a partner, or have children, it is worth making a will at any point in your adult life.
Do I need a solicitor to write a Will?
No — but a will drafted without professional advice is more likely to contain errors or ambiguous wording that could make it invalid or open to challenge. A solicitor will also help you identify things you may not have considered: trusts, inheritance tax implications, foreign assets, digital assets, or the appointment of guardians.
What makes a will legally valid?
A will must be in writing, signed by the person making it in front of two independent witnesses, who must both sign in that person’s presence. Witnesses cannot benefit under the will. The person making the will must also have testamentary capacity at the time of signing. See the section above for full details.
What happens if I don't make a will?
Your estate will be distributed under the rules of intestacy, which may not reflect your wishes. Unmarried partners receive nothing. The division between a surviving spouse and children may not be what you intended.
Will my partner inherit if we're not married and I don't have a will?
No. There is no such thing as a common-law spouse in English law. An unmarried partner has no automatic right to inherit under intestacy, regardless of how long you have been together or whether you own property jointly. A will is the only way to ensure your partner is provided for.
How much does it cost to make a will with a solicitor?
We charge a fixed fee of £750 + VAT for a straightforward will. More complex wills — involving inheritance tax advice, trusts, or foreign assets — are charged at an hourly rate, agreed with you before work starts.
How often should I update my will?
Review your will after any major life event — marriage (which automatically revokes your previous will), divorce, the birth of a child, a significant change in your finances, or the death of a named executor or beneficiary. It is good practice to review it every three to five years regardless.
Can I update my will without making a new one?
Yes. A minor change can be made by way of a codicil — a formal written amendment to the existing will. For more substantial changes, drafting a new will is usually simpler and avoids confusion. Your solicitor will advise on the right approach.
What should I consider when making a Will?
Key things to consider: who you want to benefit and in what shares, who you trust to act as executor, whether you need to appoint a guardian for any children, whether inheritance tax planning is relevant, and whether you own assets outside England and Wales that require specific advice.
Can I make a Will if I have dementia?
A will made during a period when the person had capacity — known as a lucid interval — can still be valid. The key test is whether, at the time of signing, the person understood what a will is, the extent of their estate, and who their beneficiaries are. We can advise on capacity assessments and how to document capacity at the time of signing to protect the will from future challenge.
Speak to a Solicitor about Writing a Will
Call us 020 7485 8811
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The responsive team at Osbornes acts for a wide range of wealthy individuals and families on a variety of trusts and estate matters.
The team work efficiently together and exceptionally good at sharing their extensive knowledge and ideas so that their cases can move forward quickly.
They are friendly, responsive and knowledgeable.
When I refer to Osbornes I know that my clients will be well looked after and advised.
Very good at general advice on estate and inheritance tax planning and dealing with IFA's where trusts have funds under investment.
They are on the ball, efficient and not phased by complexity. Sound advice and reliable.
I instruct them in both straightforward and complex cross-border probate applications.
The practice at Osbornes often acts for a wide range of HNW individuals and families on complex estate and trust cases, frequently dealing with cross-border estates.
The Osbornes contentious trusts team is a force to be reckoned with in the London market.
Osbornes is a strong medium-sized firm based in North London but with a regional presence.
Most of the team have a solid grounding in non-contentious work which greatly assists in finding effective compromises to complex disputes.
A team of dedicated specialists led by Jan Atkinson.
An ambitious team with high quality work.
Osbornes has a young and dynamic team that is really going places. They have a real passion for private client work with the ability to deliver great results.
They have a personable, sensible but commercial approach.
Osbornes has good clients and an extremely capable team of private client litigators. All of the partners are excellent and the trainees are also very helpful.
We'd like to thank all of you for the excellent work you've done with regards to our case. We're going to suggest Osbornes Law and in particular Jan, Angela and everyone else we worked with to others in similar situations. We express our sincere gratitude to everyone we worked with for their professionalism and great work! We're glad that we had the best law firm and the best team on our side!
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A full service team which punches above its weight, dealing with a range of UK and international clients.
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Jenny Walsh is a full member of STEP and a key figure who specialises in non-contentious private client matters, often with a cross-border dimension.
The nimble team at Osbornes acts for trustees, executors, personal representatives, and other high-net-worth individuals.
Excellent team doing high-end work. Would always consider for referral and conflict work.
Jan Atkinson heads up the team and is a respected senior lawyer.
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Osbornes acts for a wide range of high-net-worth individuals, families, and trust companies in complex estate and trust litigation.
Osbornes has a practice which is big enough to take on substantial cases and small enough to retain a personal touch.
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A private client team offering a range of services to assist with private client matters including trust and probate services. A friendly approach with a keen eye for detail.
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An efficient firm which provides an excellent service at highly competitive charging rates.
The team receives a steady flow of instructions from high-net-worth individuals and families on an array of tax planning, wealth preservation, estate and succession planning issues
I think this firm has excellent strength and depth in this area, for both contentious and non-contentious work, and they can hold their own against any other firm.
I have found them to be incredibly knowledgeable and pragmatic in settling claims for their clients.
The contested estates team is strong with talented young solicitors doing good quality work
The nimble team acts for a broad range of high-net-worth individuals and families on a variety of complex estate and trust litigation.
Osbornes has a ‘strong private client department’ and ‘the firm seems to be going from strength to strength’.
Thank you for managing my case, following a complete fiasco before I contacted Osbornes Law. I know that the work involved was rather complicated, possibly frustrating and often time consuming. I was impressed with your current knowledge of the case when we had the first meeting at your office. I regard a face-to-face meeting as imperative in developing positive relationships. Members of your team, such as Alex and Ella were impressive too, with their efficient, friendly manner of working.
I am grateful for your patience, advice and excellent support at a difficult time. Hopefully it won't be necessary to contact you again regarding this matter! I will definitely use Osbornes Law in the future."Commitment to the cause, willingness to go the extra mile and complete command of the area mean they always give the right advice and do the best job possible."
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"A medium-sized London firm dealing with big litigation and doing it extremely well because of a depth of expertise and experience."
My family had the pleasure of Jan Atkinson working with us on the will and probate issues of [my mother's] estate in Camden and Ireland after she passed on last year. Jan and her assistant(s) offered us a fantastic service at a sad time.
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The team is very caring, experienced and detailed and was clear about the next steps and offered very helpful advice and suggestions
Jan Atkinson has extensive experience in private client matters, which underpins her excellent skills in the contentious probate area. Plus she is strong on international matters
A small but formidable team, punching above its weight. Jan Atkinson is a seasoned pro. Approachable but no push-over
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The situation was handled by your extremely competent, efficient hands - I would not hesitate to recommend Osbornes to others.
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Jan Atkinson is confident with a straightforward approach. Her practice covers both contentious and non-contentious matters, including wealth planning and estate administration.
I would like to thank everyone in my case for the excellent job!
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The Wills & Probate Team View the whole team
Jan Atkinson
Partner
Private ClientSuzanna Baker
Partner
Private ClientKatie de Swarte
Partner
Private ClientElspeth Neilson
Partner
Private ClientJenny Walsh
Partner
Private ClientFlorence Arbuthnott
Senior Associate
Private ClientLesley Boreham
Associate
Private ClientLaura Brogden
Solicitor
Private ClientTahsin Chasmawala
Associate
Private ClientElla Coles
Solicitor
Private ClientView the
whole team
