How to make a Will

1. Work out the value of your estate

Make a list of your assets and estimate their value (for example your home, valuables, and savings). Then do the same with what you owe. Take the second away from the first, and you’re left with what’s called your total estate value. For further help, order our Will Planner to help guide you through the process.

2. Decide who you’d like to benefit and how

Now you know how much you’re worth, it’s time to decide who you’d like to remember in your Will – friends, family and favourite charities – and how you’d like to divide your estate between them. Just 1% of your estate will make a difference if you choose to leave a gift in your Will to Samaritans.

3. Choose your Executors and your solicitor

An Executor is someone who will help carry out the terms of your Will. People often choose a family member and a solicitor to ensure their wishes are secured.

4. Keep your Will safe

Most people like to leave one copy in the care of their solicitor, and keep their own copy in a safe place (to make things easier at what can be a difficult time, make sure your Executors know where to find it).

5. Review it regularly

People’s lives can quickly change – marriages, divorces, children, grandchildren or house moves. So it’s a good idea to check your Will is up-to-date every five years or so. This helps to ensure that your Will is still validated and legally binding.

You can include special wishes such as donations instead of flowers with your Will. If you’d like family and friends to make a donation to Samaritans please download our Donations instead of flowers form.

If you have already written a Will, you can simply add an additional document. This new document is called a codicil – an addition, amendment or supplement to your existing Will.

We always recommend finding a professional to write or update a Will, so you can ensure it's legally recognised. Visit Remember A Charity for further advice.

You can use our Codicil form to add a cash or specific gift to an existing Will.

We always recommend consulting a solicitor or legal professional when completing a Codicil form.

The language of Will writing can seem complicated and daunting. That’s why we’ve put together this explanation of some of the most common terms that you may come across. If you are in any doubt about anything you read here, your solicitor will be able to help you.