⚡ Quick answer: Make a Will as soon as you own anything, have someone who depends on you, or enter a serious relationship. Don't wait for a specific age. The average person who needs a Will and doesn't have one is in their 30s or 40s — not their 70s.
The Legal Minimum Age
In England and Wales, you must be at least 18 years old to make a legally valid Will. There is one exception: members of the armed forces on actual military service can make a privileged Will even if they are under 18. This type of Will has relaxed formalities and can even be oral in some circumstances.
In Scotland, the minimum age is 12 — but the rules for Scottish Wills differ from those in England and Wales and professional advice is recommended.
Life Events That Should Trigger a Will
Age is less important than circumstances. These life events should prompt you to make — or update — your Will immediately:
1. Buying a Property
The moment you own property is the moment your estate becomes significant. Without a Will, your home may not pass to the person you intend — and the legal process for resolving this can be lengthy and expensive. If you're buying jointly, make sure you understand the difference between joint tenants and tenants in common and what happens to your share on death.
2. Having Children
This is arguably the most important trigger of all. A Will lets you:
- Name a guardian for minor children — without this, the courts decide
- Ensure assets are held in trust until children reach adulthood
- Specify the age at which children receive their inheritance
- Protect children from a previous relationship in a blended family
3. Getting Married
⚠️ Critical: In England and Wales, marriage automatically revokes any existing Will. If you made a Will before getting married and haven't updated it since, you currently have no valid Will — regardless of what the old one says.
The only exception is a Will made "in contemplation of marriage" to a specific named person, which must be stated explicitly in the Will itself.
4. Starting a Serious Relationship (Without Marriage)
Unmarried couples have no automatic inheritance rights under English law. There is no such thing as a "common law spouse" in England and Wales — no matter how long you have been together. Without a Will, your partner could receive nothing from your estate, while distant relatives inherit instead.
5. Separation or Divorce
Separation does not automatically revoke a Will. If you separate but do not divorce, an estranged spouse could still inherit under your existing Will. Divorce does revoke gifts to a former spouse — but does not revoke the Will itself, which may cause other complications. Update your Will whenever a relationship ends.
6. Receiving a Significant Inheritance or Asset
If your estate grows significantly — through an inheritance, business success, or property value increase — your old Will may no longer reflect your wishes or be tax-efficient.
The Statistics Are Stark
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| UK adults with no Will | ~60% |
| Adults aged 35–54 with no Will | Over 50% |
| Estates that go through intestacy annually (England & Wales) | Tens of thousands |
| Unmarried partner receives under intestacy | £0 — regardless of relationship length |
| Cost of a Will with ClearLegacy | From £69 |
Sources and methodology for these figures are on our UK Will ownership statistics page.
What Happens If You Die Without a Will?
If you die without a Will, your estate is distributed under the intestacy rules. In England and Wales, these rules prioritise in this order: spouse/civil partner, children, parents, siblings and so on. Crucially:
- Unmarried partners receive nothing
- Stepchildren are not included unless legally adopted
- Specific gifts to friends or charities are impossible
- You cannot name a guardian for minor children
- The estate may face unnecessary Inheritance Tax
Is It Ever Too Early to Make a Will?
No. A Will can always be updated or replaced entirely as circumstances change. Writing a Will at 25 with modest assets is straightforward — and provides peace of mind. It does not lock you in to any decisions permanently.
What a First Will Should Cover
A first Will made in your twenties or early thirties is usually short. It should still deal with the essentials:
- Executors — one or two people you trust to sort out your affairs, plus a replacement in case one cannot act
- Who inherits — a partner, family or friends, with a back-up beneficiary if your first choice dies before you
- Guardians — if you have, or expect to have, children under 18
- Specific items — anything with sentimental value you want to go to a named person
- Funeral wishes — optional, but helpful to the people left to decide
Two things usually sit outside the Will. Workplace and personal pensions normally pass under the scheme's own rules, so complete the provider's nomination (expression of wishes) form as well. Life insurance can often be written in trust through the insurer. Check both when you make your Will so everything points the same way.
Sources & references
Authoritative UK government, HMRC, statute and Citizens Advice sources. Last reviewed: 31 May 2026.
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Start My Will — £69 →Frequently Asked Questions
Can a 17-year-old make a Will in the UK?
Generally no — the minimum age is 18 in England and Wales. The only exception is for members of the armed forces on actual military service, who can make a privileged Will while under 18.
How often should I update my Will?
Review your Will whenever a major life event occurs: marriage, divorce, birth of a child, death of a beneficiary, significant change in assets, or moving abroad. As a general rule, reviewing every 3–5 years is good practice even if circumstances haven't changed dramatically.
Can I make a Will if I have dementia or mental illness?
A Will is valid only if you have testamentary capacity at the time of signing — meaning you understand what you own, who should inherit and the implications of the Will. Early-stage dementia does not necessarily prevent making a valid Will, but professional guidance and medical evidence may be needed. Act early to avoid complications.
