I Need to Make a Will Urgently — What to Do and How Quickly It Can Happen

If you have found yourself searching for this, something has prompted it — a health diagnosis, a family change, an imminent trip, or simply the sudden clarity that you have left this too long. Whatever the reason, the instinct to act is the right one.

The good news is that making a will does not have to be a slow process. With the right adviser, a professionally drafted will can be completed far more quickly than most people expect.

For a straightforward will — a single person or couple with clear wishes and no particularly complex assets — the process typically works as follows:

• Day 1: You contact us and we arrange a consultation, often the same day or next day

• Consultation: We gather everything we need — your wishes, your beneficiaries, your executor, any specific provisions

• Within 3–5 working days: We produce a draft will for your review

• Once approved: The will is finalised, executed and legally valid

If your situation is more complex — a blended family, business interests, trusts, international assets — it may take a little longer, but we will always tell you upfront what to expect and work to your timeline.

A valid will in England and Wales must meet the following requirements:

• You must be 18 or over

• You must have mental capacity — you understand what a will is, what you own, and who you are leaving it to

• The will must be in writing

• It must be signed by you in the presence of two independent witnesses

• Both witnesses must sign in your presence

A will that does not meet these requirements may be invalid — which is exactly why a professionally drafted will matters, particularly when speed is a factor. Errors made in haste can be costly and distressing for the people left behind.

If you are concerned about mental capacity — either your own or a loved one's — please contact us immediately. There are specific steps that can be taken, including a capacity assessment, to ensure a will made in these circumstances is as robust as possible.

Dying without a valid will means dying intestate. In England and Wales, the rules of intestacy determine who receives your estate — and those rules frequently do not reflect what you would have wanted.

• Unmarried partners receive nothing, regardless of how long you have been together

• Stepchildren are not automatically included

• Your estate may be divided in ways that cause financial hardship or family conflict

• If you have no qualifying relatives, your estate passes to the Crown

A will is the only way to ensure your wishes are carried out. It is also the only way to appoint guardians for minor children — one of the most important decisions any parent can make.

If you need a will urgently, take these steps today:

• Contact us for an immediate consultation — we will prioritise urgent cases

• Make a list of your assets — property, savings, investments, pensions, business interests

• Decide who you want to benefit from your estate and in what proportions

• Think about who you want as your executor — the person responsible for carrying out your wishes

• If you have children under 18, consider who you would want as their guardian

You do not need to have all of this worked out before you speak to us. That is what the consultation is for. We will guide you through every decision clearly and calmly.

→ Contact Us Now — Urgent Will Enquiries Prioritised

Online will-writing services exist and are suitable for very simple estates. However, for anything beyond the most basic circumstances — a blended family, property, a business, international assets, or any wish to minimise inheritance tax — a professionally drafted will is strongly advisable. Errors in a will only become apparent after death, when they cannot be corrected.

Yes, provided you have mental capacity at the time of signing. We have experience working with clients in hospital, in care homes and at home. Where capacity may be in question, we take additional steps to ensure the will is as robust as possible. Please contact us as soon as possible so we can act quickly.

We provide fixed-fee quotes before any work begins. There are no hourly rates and no unexpected charges. The cost of a professionally drafted will is modest compared to the cost — financial and emotional — of dying without one. Contact us for a quote specific to your circumstances.