Mon–Fri 9am–7pm · Sat 10am–4pm · Home visits across the North
0330 223 7844 info@willguard.co.uk

Single Wills

A clear, fixed-fee will for individuals — drafted in your own words, signed in your own home.

What is a single will?

A single will is the standard legal document for one person. It sets out who you want to inherit what you own, who should look after any children under 18, who should sort everything out as your executor, and any specific gifts or wishes you want recorded. It’s the foundation of every estate plan and the single most important legal document most people will ever sign.

Without one, you die intestate. The intestacy rules — not you — then decide what happens to your home, your savings, your possessions and even your pets. Unmarried partners, stepchildren, godchildren and friends inherit absolutely nothing under those rules, no matter how long you’ve been together or how close you are.

A single will from Will Guard puts you back in charge. You decide. We just write it down properly, witness it correctly, and store it safely.

Who is a single will for?

Single wills suit anyone whose situation is reasonably contained: an individual without a partner, a married person whose spouse already has a will or whose situation differs significantly, an unmarried adult of any age, a widow or widower, or a homeowner without children. If you have a partner and your wishes mirror theirs, you may want our mirror wills service instead, which is more cost-effective.

Single Wills consultation

Single will from £95

Fixed fee includes free consultation, drafting, signing visit, witnesses and secure storage.

Book Free Consultation

What can you include in a single will?

Far more than most people realise. A typical single will from Will Guard covers:

  • Executors — the one or two trusted people you want to administer your estate. We’ll explain who’s suitable and what the role really involves.
  • Guardians — for any children under 18, including stepchildren you want to provide for.
  • Specific gifts — jewellery, vehicles, family heirlooms, savings accounts, charitable donations.
  • The residue of your estate — everything else, divided between the people or causes you care about.
  • Substitute beneficiaries — what happens if a beneficiary dies before you do.
  • Funeral wishes — burial or cremation, music, even guidance for the wake.
  • Letter of wishes — a non-binding companion document for personal explanations or sensitive guidance to your executors.

How long does it take?

From first call to signed will, most clients are sorted in under two weeks. The free consultation typically takes around an hour. We then draft your will, send it for your review, make any changes, and arrange a second visit for signing with proper witnesses. Urgent cases can be turned around in 48 hours where needed.

Will writing detail in the North of England

What does a single will cost?

Our standard single will is £95 all-in. That’s a fixed fee that includes the free consultation, drafting, two appointments (one for the consultation, one for signing), proper witnessing on the day, and free secure storage of the original document.

If your wishes are more involved — for example you want a trust within your will, you have business assets, you have several properties, or you have a blended family with stepchildren — we’ll quote a fixed fee for a complex will at the consultation, before any work begins. There are no hourly rates and no surprise invoices.

Estate planning advice

What happens after the consultation?

Once you’ve told us your wishes, we’ll draft a will that says exactly what you intend, in language a court will understand. You’ll receive a draft to read over — often within 3–5 days — and we’ll make any changes you ask for, free of charge. When you’re happy, we arrange a second visit to sign the will properly. A will only becomes legally valid when it’s signed in front of two suitable witnesses; we bring witnesses with us so there’s no need to ask the neighbours.

Once signed, you keep the original (or take advantage of our free storage), we register it on the National Will Register through Certainty so your executors can find it, and we send you a copy for your records. Your will is then live and binding from that moment.

Updating your single will later

Life moves on. New grandchildren, marriage, divorce, moving home, a beneficiary’s death, or a change of heart can all mean your will needs adjusting. Small changes can be made through a codicil; larger changes mean a fresh will. As an existing Will Guard client, codicils are charged at a discounted rate, and we send you a friendly reminder every five years to check whether your will still reflects what you want.

Common questions

Frequently asked

Can I write my own will?

Yes — but we don’t recommend it. DIY wills are the leading source of probate disputes in England and Wales, usually because of unclear wording, missed assets, or witnessing errors that make the will invalid. A properly drafted will costs less than the legal bills caused by a botched DIY one.

What if I don’t own much?

You don’t need to be wealthy to need a will. Even a modest estate — a flat, a car, some savings, sentimental items — can take months and thousands of pounds to sort out without one. A will protects the people you care about, regardless of your net worth.

Do I need a solicitor?

Will writing isn’t a reserved legal activity, so you can use a qualified will writer or a solicitor. We’re members of the Society of Will Writers, fully insured, and specialise solely in this area — which is why our fixed fees are typically lower than a high-street solicitor charges.

How often should I update my will?

We recommend a review every five years or whenever your circumstances change significantly — marriage, divorce, the birth of children or grandchildren, the death of a beneficiary, a house move, retirement, or a sizeable change in assets.

Related services

Protect what matters most

Free, no-obligation consultation in your home or by video. Fixed-fee wills from £95.

Book Free Consultation Call 0330 223 7844