Why a professionally written Will matters

Author: Christopher Watts MSWW — Fern Wills & LPAs

Role: Will Writer & Estate-Planning Consultant (Member, The Society of Will Writers)

Last verified: 10 September 2025 (England & Wales)

Quick-read summary

A properly drafted Will isn’t just a form — it’s your instructions, legally effective, and practical for the people you care about. DIY templates and “cheapest online” options can leave gaps that cause delay, cost and conflict.

A professionally written Will translates your wishes into clear, lawful provisions, signed and witnessed correctly, with the right people appointed and the right protections in place.

Clients tell us they want three things: clarity, protection for loved ones, and a smooth process when the time comes. That’s exactly what we design your Will to deliver.

If you’ve already enquired with us, this page is your next step: a clear overview of why professional drafting matters and what working with Fern Wills & LPAs looks like.

Practical checklist (when a professionally written Will is worth it)

• You have a partner, children, a blended family, or dependants.
• You own a home, business interests, savings/investments, or life insurance.
• You want to ring-fence gifts (e.g., for children from a previous relationship).
• You care who looks after your children and how money is managed for them.
• You want to reduce risks of delay, disputes, or avoidable tax/benefit issues.
• You want the signing and witnessing done correctly (so it’s valid).
• You want someone to review your situation and steer you around pitfalls.

What to consider (key points most DIY guides miss)

• Validity depends on details. Wills must be signed and witnessed correctly; if not, they can fail. Small errors can invalidate gifts or entire Wills.
• Executors & guardians. Choosing the wrong people (or not giving them the right powers) can create friction and delays.
• Trusts where appropriate. For young children, vulnerable beneficiaries, or blended families, a simple Will may be too simple. A trust clause can protect them.
• Clear gifting. Ambiguous wording or unclear residue clauses lead to disputes; precise drafting keeps things smooth.
• Capacity & influence. Professional notes and process help evidence capacity and guard against claims of undue influence later.
• Storage & access. Your Will is only useful if the right people know where it is and can access it quickly.
• Joined-up planning. Wills, LPAs and (where relevant) life policies or nominations should be coordinated so your plan actually works in real life.

How this works in real life (client example)

We recently helped Mr and Mrs Davis, a blended family with children from previous relationships. They’d drafted a simple Will online months earlier. On review, we found: no guardianship back-up, gifts that could accidentally disinherit one side of the family, and no instructions for how the house should be handled if the survivor later remarried.

We rewrote their Wills with a right-to-reside / life interest approach for the survivor, clear sub-trusts for the children, properly chosen executors and guardians, and signing supervised to the legal standard. They told us the new Wills felt “fair, future-proof, and calm.” That’s the difference a professional Will can make.

FAQs

Is a DIY Will legal?

It can be — but the law requires strict signing and witnessing rules, and unclear wording is a common reason for disputes. Professional drafting aims to remove those risks. Legislation.gov.ukGOV.UK

What happens if there’s no valid Will?

The estate follows the intestacy rules, which may not reflect your wishes (for example, unmarried partners do not automatically inherit). GOV.UK

Can my Will be challenged?

Certain people (e.g., spouse/civil partner, dependent children) can ask the court for “reasonable financial provision.” Clear drafting and appropriate trusts help reduce the risk. Legislation.gov.uk

Who can witness my Will?

Two independent adult witnesses who are not beneficiaries (nor married to a beneficiary). We’ll guide and supervise this so it’s done properly. GOV.UK

What if I’m worried about mental capacity or pressure from others?

We follow a careful process and keep notes. The Mental Capacity Act principles and professional practice help us evidence a valid, freely-made decision. Legislation.gov.ukGOV.UK

Do I need a trust in my Will?

Not always, but trusts are very useful for children, vulnerable beneficiaries, and blended families. We’ll flag when a simple Will is too simple and explain your options.

How often should I review my Will?

After major life events (marriage, divorce, children, house move, inheritance) or every 2–3 years to check it still fits.

Optional Technical Notes (for those who want the detail…)

• Validity & witnessing (core rule): A Will must be in writing, signed by the testator (or someone at their direction), with the signature made or acknowledged in the presence of two witnesses who each sign in the testator’s presence. Legislation.gov.uk
• Intestacy: Without a valid Will, statutory rules determine who inherits; unmarried partners/certain relatives may receive nothing. GOV.UK
• Financial provision claims: The Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 allows certain applicants to seek reasonable provision from the estate. Legislation.gov.uk
• Capacity principles: Decisions are presumed capacious unless proven otherwise; assess specific decisions; support decision-making; act in best interests if capacity is lacking. Legislation.gov.ukGOV.UK

Sources & further reading

• Wills Act 1837, s.9 (signing and attestation). Legislation.gov.uk
• GOV.UK: Make sure your will is legal (signing/witnessing). GOV.UK
• GOV.UK: Intestacy — who inherits if there’s no Will. GOV.UK
• Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. Legislation.gov.uk
• Mental Capacity Act 2005 (overview for practice). GOV.UK

Next steps

• Reply to your enquiry email with a convenient time — we’ll arrange a short, no-obligation call.
• If helpful, we can meet at your home or online.
• We’ll confirm your wishes, advise on executors/guardians/trusts, and supervise the signing so your Will is valid and ready when needed.