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Wills & Estate

Last Will & Testament Template

A professionally drafted last will & testament for use in England and Wales, ready to tailor to your situation in minutes.

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Last Will and Testament

Governed by the law of England and Wales

This is the Last Will and Testament of Margaret Wilson of 27 Birch Avenue, Leeds, LS4 2RT, made on 4 September 2026. I am Married.

1. Revocation
I revoke all earlier wills and codicils made by me.

2. Appointment of Executor
I appoint Thomas Wilson of 27 Birch Avenue, Leeds, LS4 2RT to be the executor and trustee of my will (my "Executor").

5. Residuary Estate
I give the rest of my estate, after payment of my debts, funeral and testamentary expenses, to my husband, Thomas Wilson, or if he does not survive me, equally between my children.

What this last will & testament covers

When you need a last will & testament

The legal framework

Understanding the law behind a last will & testament helps you use it well. Here is the key UK legislation that applies:

Wills Act 1837, s.9
For a will to be valid it must be in writing, signed by you (or by someone in your presence and at your direction), and that signature made or acknowledged in the presence of two witnesses who are present at the same time and who each then sign.
Wills Act 1837, s.15
A witness, or the spouse or civil partner of a witness, who is also a beneficiary will forfeit their gift. Always use two independent witnesses who gain nothing under the will.
Mental Capacity Act 2005
You must have testamentary capacity — broadly, understanding the nature of making a will, the extent of your estate, and the claims to which you ought to give effect.
On the horizon. The Law Commission's May 2025 report 'Modernising Wills Law' proposes enabling electronic wills and abolishing the rule that marriage revokes a will. These are not yet law — currently, marriage or civil partnership does still revoke an earlier will unless made in express contemplation of it.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I die without a will?

The intestacy rules decide who inherits, in a fixed order that may not match your wishes — an unmarried partner, for example, has no automatic right to inherit no matter how long you were together. Try our free intestacy calculator to see who it would be in your situation.

Do I need a solicitor to make a will valid?

No — a will is valid if it meets the Wills Act 1837 formalities (in writing, signed, and witnessed by two independent witnesses), though a solicitor review is worthwhile for complex estates.

How Legal Lift helps

Answer a few plain-English questions and our AI generator produces a tailored last will & testament, ready to edit, download as PDF or Word. Every template is kept current with UK law, and our SRA-regulated solicitor partners are available if you'd like it reviewed.

This page explains the law in general terms to help you understand your last will & testament. It is information, not legal advice. For guidance on your specific circumstances, our SRA-regulated solicitor partners are here to help.

Related templates

Do I Need a Will?Intestacy Rules GuideLasting Power of AttorneyLiving Will / Advance DecisionCodicil to a WillLetter of WishesExecutor AppointmentDeed of Variation

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