You can seemingly do everything online these days. 💻

You can do all your banking with a few taps of your phone. You can finalise a divorce with a few clicks. Today, we are going to take a look at the process of creating an online will, what it needs to include, and who to trust.

Let’s dive right in.

Can I write my will online?

The answer is yes! At Bequest, we have an incredibly simple and intuitive platform to help you do just that.

What do online will-writing services do?

You’ll see many companies say they can write wills online but what does that mean? The process can include answering some predetermined questions, to then formulate a will and get it sent to you. Often this process is fully automated and you’ll never actually speak to any legal advisor.

While you may find that this type of online will can save you time, at Bequest, we want to make sure that it’s so much more than that. We want it to be a personal experience, based on your specific needs, at this specific time in your life.

Writing your own will

If you don’t think you need expert help, there are also templates for free, with a structure that is fairly standardized.

📣 Attention. Sometimes extra steps are needed before your will is legally binding.

To make your will legal, it needs to be:

• written by someone 18 or over
• made voluntarily
• written in sound mind
• made in writing
• signed in the presence of two witnesses

• signed by two witnesses in your presence

As long as it meets those specifications, you’ll have a will that is legally binding.

Getting expert help

There are a few reasons why you might want to speak to a reputable solicitor or will writer (or us! 👋). Make sure you do your homework, find their ratings, and trust those who you are working with.

Below are some of the more complicated matters that could arise, where having some expert advice might be helpful.

• Owning property abroad
• Trying to reduce any inheritance tax
• Owning a business
• Including benefactors outside of your family
• Foreign investments or accounts

• Complex wishes

Extras

Value your estate. This is everything you own, including shares, high-value possessions, and vehicles, along with the more obvious items such as property and cash.

Determine how it will be divided up between your loved ones. You need to be very specific about what you're leaving, with no room for confusion. Aunt Doris might not want your cat named Lucky.

Appoint an executor who will carry out the wishes of your will. This could be a partner or an eldest child, but you should choose whoever you feel is most suited to the role.

The structure to follow is fairly simple and we go into a little more depth in this article for a step-by-step guide to DIY wills.

Should I use an online will service?

The answer to that question is entirely up to you.

But, we think it's the smartest decision you'll make today. And we have experts willing to help guide you through every step of the process.

Do you think you’ll give an online will a go? Whatever choice you make, hopefully now you feel a little more informed about how to get an online will that works for you.