Why It Might Be Time For a Will Health Check
Hi, I’m Phil the Will, co-owner of Online Wills and Probate. I’ve spent over two decades helping people plan for the future, protect their loved ones, and leave a legacy they can be proud of.
I know the idea of writing a will isn’t exactly thrilling. But here’s something even less thrilling—finding out too late that your will isn’t actually worth the paper it’s written on.
Recently, we’ve seen a worrying trend: people coming to us with wills that were either written for free or drawn up quickly by a solicitor… and unfortunately, they’re not fit for purpose.
Why Are Cheap or Free Wills So Popular?
Let’s face it, if someone offers you something for free – especially something important like a will – it’s tempting to say “yes”. Many banks, charities, and even some law firms offer simple, free wills, or wills for a very low fee.
But here’s the catch: if your circumstances are anything but simple, these basic or free wills could do more harm than good. For the majority of us, free or basic wills are not fit for purpose. If you’ve got:
- Property or savings
- A blended family
- Children from a previous relationship
- A long-term partner you’re not married to
- Or even just clear wishes about what happens after you’re gone…
…then it’s crucial your will is watertight, personalised, and legally sound.
Real-Life Issues We’ve Seen in So-Called “Professional” Free Wills
Here are just a few of the real problems we’ve encountered in wills people thought were good enough:
1. Improper Witnessing
One will we reviewed hadn’t been witnessed correctly. That makes it legally invalid. Imagine leaving behind what you thought was clear guidance, only for your loved ones to be told it’s legally meaningless. Witnesses must be over 18, must witness you signing the will and cannot be a beneficiary of the will. The Gov.uk website has some great straightforward advice to making wills legal.
2. Solicitors Appointing Themselves as Executors
In a recent case, the solicitors used by our client had named themselves as executors without discussing it properly with the client. In situations where there is no family or close friends, this is perfectly acceptable, but there are a couple of things to be aware of.
Firstly, professional executors won’t do it for free. Bear in mind that they will take a proportion of your estate to cover their fees. Just be sure you know how much it is and it’s stated in your will (typically stated as a charging clause).
The other issue that arose from evaluating his will was a lack of detail about his funeral and what should happen to his ashes. The only questions they’d asked him were whether he wishes to be buried or cremated. There were no further details about where. Without this crucial information, families can be left in emotional turmoil, unsure of what their loved one would have wanted.
3. No Funeral Wishes Included
Your funeral is your last chance to express yourself. But many wills, especially free ones, leave out funeral wishes altogether. This puts pressure on grieving relatives to make tough decisions.
Even a simple statement like “I wish to be cremated and my ashes scattered at sea” can make a huge difference. While you can and should include funeral wishes in your will the very best thing to do is to plan ahead. Use our guide on How to Plan Your Own Funeral to ensure you get the send off you want and unburden your grieving loved ones. An outline of your wishes and details of funeral plans can be included in your will.
4. No Mention of Digital Assets
More and more of our lives exist online. Bank accounts, emails, social media accounts, photos, even digital currencies. Most wills (especially free wills) completely ignore these. One client’s family had no access to key online accounts or documents, causing huge stress at an already difficult time. When you get a will with us, we delve deep into your digital legacy and ask you to appoint a digital executor to take care of your online accounts. We’ll give your the opportunity to include your digital assets and outline how you want them to be handled. We can even include instructions on how to find your inventory of digital accounts and passwords or keep these safe on your behalf.
5. Limits on Beneficiaries
Another alarming situation we came across was the client had been limited to naming just six beneficiaries, despite wanting to leave small gifts to multiple friends and donate to several charities. That kind of restriction doesn’t belong in a proper will, especially when gifts to charity can help reduce inheritance tax.
6. Rushed, Impersonal Process
We’ve seen wills whipped up in just 30 minutes. Quick? Yes. Thorough? Absolutely not.
By contrast, our will-writing process takes at least two hours. For each of the wills we create, we take you on a fact-finding journey using our 21-page document to understand:
- Who you are
- What you care about
- Who matters most to you
- What you own
- And how to structure your will in the smartest way possible.
7. Blended Families, Unmarried Couples, and Modern Life
UK law hasn’t caught up with modern family life, and simple or free wills don’t cover the nuances of more complex family dynamics. Did you know that:
- Unmarried partners have no automatic legal rights to your estate?
- Stepchildren aren’t entitled to anything unless you specifically name them?
- Without a valid will, the law decides who gets what under intestacy rules—and it might not be who you’d expect.
This is why your will needs to reflect your real life—not just a tick-box version of it. Our in-depth guide: Do I need a Will?, guides you through the key situations where a will is essential and what can happen if you don’t have one.
Expertise That Goes Beyond Just Filling In the Blanks
At Online Wills and Probate, our team includes an expert with 20 years of experience in the FCA-regulated financial services sector, and a qualified solicitor with over 20 years of experience working in a legal practice. That’s a rare combination and it means we go far beyond the basics. We help you understand the why, not just the what. Whether that means advising on inheritance tax efficiency, helping you decide whether to appoint a family member or a professional as executor, or navigating complex family arrangements—we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Our entire focus is on making sure your will is not just legally valid, but also financially smart and future-proof.
Here’s why our approach is different:
- We provide expert financial advice alongside will writing.
- We take the time to understand your personal circumstances—whether that’s a complex family setup, second marriages, stepchildren, or a business to pass on.
- We help you minimise inheritance tax and protect your loved ones from unexpected costs.
- We offer flexible, jargon-free support, whether it’s over the phone, via video call, or even in person.
And the best part? Our pricing is clear, fair, and far more affordable than solicitors.
It’s Time for a Will Health Check
If you’ve already got a will but it was written quickly, offered for free, or hasn’t been reviewed in years, it might be time for a Will Health Check.
At Online Wills and Probate we offer:
- Honest, expert feedback on your existing will
- No-obligation reviews to spot risks or gaps
- A thorough, empathetic approach that puts you in control
Final Thoughts from Phil the Will
Writing a will is more than a legal task; it’s an act of care, love, and responsibility. And like any important document, it should evolve as your life does.
Ask yourself: Does your will truly reflect who you are, what you want, and the people you love?
If you’re not sure—or if something doesn’t feel quite right—get in touch. We’re here to help, no pressure, just plain-speaking guidance from people who genuinely care. Remember that while solicitors can draft wills, they primarily take instructions without offering proper financial guidance. As a professional will writer and financial advisor, I do more than just write your will. I help you navigate the best ways to structure your estate efficiently, protect your wealth and help structure your final wishes.
Get in touch today and get your will reviewed.
