Each month in the UK, there are more than 6,000 Google searches* by people looking for information about writing their own will, according to Scottish law firm Austin Lafferty Solicitors. In fact, March 2026 saw nearly 8,000 online searches alone.
These range from people carrying out early research using terms such as ‘can I write my own will’ and ‘is it legal to write my own will’, to those further along in the process searching for ‘how to write my own will’ and ‘get a template for a will’.
The fact that people are thinking about planning their estate is a positive and important step. While not everyone who researches writing their own will will go on to do so, Austin Lafferty Solicitors cautions that there are some serious pitfalls to be aware of.
John Roberts, Partner and Director at Austin Lafferty Solicitors, said: “With the cost of living remaining high, it’s no surprise that many people are turning to DIY solutions in an effort to save money. While being mindful of your finances is to be commended, taking shortcuts in areas like writing a will can lead to far greater costs, both financially and emotionally, for family and friends later on. Some people may not be particularly concerned about what happens once they’re six feet under, but a will that leaves room for interpretation can result in confusion, disputes, and ultimately prevent your final wishes from being carried out as intended.”
No laughing matter: Comedian’s DIY will took ten years to resolve
By way of a recent example, the estate of the well-known comedian Sean Hughes, who died nearly a decade ago, has only just been settled due to issues with the wording of a will he drafted himself without legal assistance. He intended to leave almost £4 million to the homelessness charity Shelter, but it took the best part of ten years for the matter to be resolved.
Eight reasons NOT to write your own will:
1. Legal mistakes can make a will invalid
Wills must follow strict legal rules, which vary by country and region – there are even differences between the UK’s nations. If you miss things like proper witnessing or signatures, your will could be declared invalid, meaning your estate is distributed under default laws instead of your preferences.
2. Complex assets can cause confusion
You may not think owning a home or having a few savings accounts is particularly complicated, but depending on how assets are to be distributed, even the simplest of estates can become complex. And when an estate includes unusual assets, businesses, trusts, investments, cars and more, the greater the scope for things to go wrong.
3. Ambiguous wording causes disputes
Legal language matters. A phrase that seems clear to you might be interpreted differently by others, especially in court. Poor wording is one of the biggest causes of inheritance disputes between family members.
4. You might miss tax and financial planning opportunities
Professionals can structure your will to reduce inheritance tax or protect assets. A DIY will usually overlooks this, which can mean your beneficiaries receive less than you intended.
5. It may not cover everything you need
A proper estate plan can include guardianship for children, trusts for vulnerable beneficiaries, funeral wishes, and digital assets. DIY wills often leave gaps, creating confusion or requiring court intervention at a later date.
6. Delays and timelines can create added stress
Errors, omissions, or unclear instructions in a DIY will can slow down the administration of an estate. This can lead to unnecessary delays at an already difficult time, prolonging the process for those involved and delaying access to funds for beneficiaries.
7. HMRC deadlines can be missed
Inheritance tax (IHT), whether due or requiring formal confirmation as not payable, must be dealt with within strict HMRC timeframes, typically within six months of death. Complications with a DIY will can lead to delays and these deadlines being missed.
8. DIY wills are rarely future-proofed
Future-proofing a will means drafting it in a way that it remains valid as your circumstances change. This approach helps reduce the need for frequent updates and ensures your wishes continue to reflect your situation over time, such as if you go on to have more children or if siblings are no longer alive.
Is a will writer a good alternative to a DIY version?
Using a will writer is a significant step up from writing a DIY version but while some will writers may belong to voluntary bodies, the industry is largely unregulated. Solicitors, however, are highly regulated, ensuring high professional standards, accountability and access to formal complaints processes, as well as professional indemnity insurance. This means clients of solicitors benefit from significantly greater protection, clearer accountability, and far more robust safeguards.
John Roberts concluded: “Whether you want to pass on valuable assets, ensure cherished personal items go to the right people, or have a say in how your digital life is handled after you pass away, a will is essential. To be confident that your intentions are carried out, it should be drafted by a legal professional. While you may not be around to see whether your will stands up to scrutiny, a DIY version that is fraught with problems is not the legacy anyone wants to leave behind.”
*Searches taken from a platform called Keyword Tool that identifies how often a keyword is searched for in Google on a monthly basis and shows trends over time.
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