Do I need a will in the UK?
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In short: Most UK adults benefit from one — but it becomes urgent if you have children under 18, own a home, are unmarried but in a long-term relationship, run a business, or want to leave anything to charity. Without a will, the intestacy rules decide who inherits, and unmarried partners get nothing.
Intestacy in England and Wales gives the spouse / civil partner the personal possessions, a £322,000 statutory legacy and half of any residue, with children sharing the other half. Unmarried partners inherit nothing under intestacy — even after decades together.
Parents of children under 18 should make a will primarily to appoint guardians under s5 Children Act 1989. Without that appointment, the court decides — usually after a contested application no grieving child needs.
Even simple estates benefit from a will to name executors you trust, leave specific gifts (the house, an heirloom, a charity legacy), and reduce the risk and cost of a contested probate. Costs range from a stationer's template (under £20) and online services from £90 (e.g. Swiftwill), to a solicitor-drafted single will at £150–£300 or couple's mirror wills at £200–£500.
Jurisdiction note: intestacy rules differ across the UK. England & Wales follow the Administration of Estates Act 1925 (statutory legacy £322,000 from July 2023); Scotland applies 'prior rights' for the spouse and 'legal rights' for spouse and children under the Succession (Scotland) Act 1964; Northern Ireland follows the Administration of Estates Act (NI) 1955.
Primary source: gov.uk/make-will