Wills

If you want to make a relatively simple and straightforward change to your Will, you can use a codicil to do so without having to create a new Will.

Use this codicil if you want your Will to list a guardian for your children (in case they are under 18 when both you and anyone else with responsibility for them have died). You might do this if one of your guardians is unable to act as a guardian or if you didn't previously choose a guardian. In all other respects, your Will remains the same.

Please note that you cannot use this codicil if you already have 5 or more codicils to your existing Will, as at this point we recommend that you make a new Will.

If you want to make a relatively simple and straightforward change to your Will, you can use a codicil to do so without having to create a new Will.

Use this codicil to appoint a substitute guardian for your children. You might do this if one of your substitute guardians is unable to act as a guardian or if you didn't previously choose a substitute guardian. In all other respects, your Will remains the same.

Please note that you cannot use this codicil if you already have 5 or more codicils to your existing Will, as at this point we recommend that you make a new Will.

If you want to make a relatively simple and straightforward change to your Will, you can use a codicil to do so without having to create a new Will.

Use this codicil if you need to appoint an executor in addition to those already appointed in your Will. In all other respects, your Will remains the same.

Please note that you cannot use this codicil if you already have 5 or more codicils to your existing Will, as at this point we recommend that you make a new Will. You also cannot use this codicil if you have already appointed more than 3 executors in your will.

If you want to make a relatively simple and straightforward change to your will, you can use a codicil to do so without having to create a new Will.

Use this codicil if you need to appoint a substitute executor for any of those original executors already appointed in your Will (i.e. someone who can take the place of an original executor if they are unable or unwilling to act). In all other respects, your Will remains the same.

Please note that you cannot use this codicil if you already have 5 or more codicils to your existing Will, as at this point we recommend that you make a new Will.

If you want to make a relatively simple and straightforward change to your Will, you can use a codicil to do so without having to create a new Will.

Use this codicil if you need to appoint a substitute executor to take the place of an executor in your Will who has died. In all other respects, your Will remains the same.

Please note that you cannot use this codicil if you already have 5 or more codicils to your existing Will, as at this point we recommend that you make a new Will.

If you want to make a relatively simple and straightforward change to your Will, you can use a codicil to do so without having to create a new Will.

Use this codicil if you want to make another gift of money or a specific item to a new beneficiary, i.e. one that is not already named in your Will. In all other respects, your Will remains the same.

Please note that you cannot use this codicil if you already have 5 or more codicils to your Will, as at this point we recommend that you make a new Will. Note also that this codicil may not be suitable if your intended gift is a property (e.g. a house or flat).

If you want to make a relatively simple and straightforward change to your Will, you can use a codicil to do so without having to create a new Will.

Use this codicil if you want to make another gift of money or a specific item to a beneficiary named in your Will. In all other respects, your Will remains the same.

Please note that you cannot use this codicil if you already have 5 or more codicils to your Will, as at this point we recommend that you make a new Will. Note also that this codicil may not be suitable if your intended gift is a property (e.g. a house or flat).

If you want to make a relatively simple and straightforward change to your Will, you can use a codicil to do so without having to create a new Will.

Use this codicil if you need to revoke the appointment of a guardian in your Will and appoint a replacement. You might do this if one of your guardians is unable to act as a guardian or if you decide to change your guardian. In all other respects, your Will remains the same.

Please note that you cannot use this codicil if you already have 5 or more codicils to your existing Will, as at this point we recommend that you make a new Will.

If you want to make a relatively simple and straightforward change to your Will, you can use a codicil to do so without having to create a new Will.

Use this codicil if you need to revoke the appointment of a substitute guardian in your Will and appoint a replacement. You might do this if one of your substitute guardians is unable to act as a guardian or if you decide to change your substitute guardian. In all other respects, your Will remains the same.

Please note that you cannot use this codicil if you already have 5 or more codicils to your existing Will, as at this point we recommend that you make a new Will.

If you want to make a relatively simple and straightforward change to your Will, you can use a codicil to do so without having to create a new Will.

Use this codicil if you want to cancel a gift that you have made in your Will. In all other respects, your Will remains the same.

Please note that you cannot use this codicil if you already have 5 or more codicils to your Will, as at this point we recommend that you make a new Will.

If you want to make a relatively simple and straightforward change to your Will, you can use a codicil to do so without having to create a new Will.

Use this codicil if you no longer want to leave a gift of money or a specific item to someone and instead want to leave it (or a different gift) to someone else. In all other respects, your Will remains the same.

Please note that you cannot use this codicil if you already have 5 or more codicils to your Will, as at this point we recommend that you make a new Will.

If you want to make a relatively simple and straightforward change to your Will, you can use a codicil to do so without having to create a new Will.

Use this codicil if you need to cancel your choice of executor, or to replace an executor you chose with someone else. You might do this if one of your executors is no longer able to act as your executor, or if you decide to change your executor. In all other respects, your Will remains the same.

Please note that you cannot use this codicil if you already have 5 or more codicils to your existing Will, as at this point we recommend that you make a new Will.

Use this document to create a 'Living Will', which is a document that sets out your wishes regarding health care and how you want to be treated if you become seriously ill and unable to make or communicate your own choices. Your wishes can be either that certain treatment should not be provided in specified circumstances (and these wishes can be binding on medical staff), or that you should be treated or cared for in a particular way (these wishes are not binding on medical staff but should be taken into account).

When you are ill, you can usually discuss treatment options with your doctor and then jointly reach a decision about your future care. However, you may be admitted to hospital when unconscious or unable, on a temporary or permanent basis, to make your own decisions about your treatment or communicate your wishes. It is possible to make an 'advance statement' of your wishes in relation to treatment for mental illness. If you subsequently became ill those treating you will have regard to it, but these wishes can be overruled where those determining your care are of the view that you are at risk and where grounds for compulsory treatment apply. It is also possible to prepare an 'advance directive' regarding medical treatment for other types of illness or disability, but at the moment in Scotland the position with respect to these is uncertain. While there is no guarantee that they would have effect, however they might be very persuasive and you may still want to make one to leave a record of your wishes to guide those deciding upon your care. This document is suitable for use in Scotland only.

If you want to revoke (cancel) your living will, it's a good idea to put this in writing so that everyone is clear about your wishes. In Scotland, this is essential if your living will contains an advance statement.

If your reason for revoking your living will is that you want to make a new one, you might not need to use this document: our Living will document has a clause in it that revokes any previous living wills.

Use this to change your name by one of two methods - deed poll or statutory declaration. You may have been using your new name for some time, but wish now to formally acknowledge your change of name, or you may wish to be known by your new name from this day forward. Guidance is included to help you choose which method is right for you.

Note that although you can use this to create a valid deed poll, it's not suitable if you plan to enrol (i.e. register) it with the Royal Courts of Justice.

You can only use this to change the name of someone aged 16 or over.

You can use this to change the name of your child (i.e. someone under the age of 18) by deed poll. The child must be a British or Commonwealth citizen who lives permanently in the UK.

To use this, you need to have parental responsibility for the child. If there is another person who also has parental responsibility, they must agree to the name change. You can't use it if there are 2 or more other people with parental responsibility.

Note that although you can use this to create a valid deed poll, it's not suitable if you plan to enrol (i.e. register) it with the Royal Courts of Justice. Enrolment often isn't necessary, but may be in some situations.

If your child is aged 16 or over, they must agree to the change of name by signing in both their new and old names. Note that if they're 16 or 17 and are (or have been) married or in a civil partnership, you'll no longer have parental responsibility for them.

Use this document if land, or property built on land, is in the sole name of one person and it is intended to give rights in the land/property to, or to recognise the rights in the land/property of, another person where a simple transfer of title may be inappropriate. This document is not suitable for use where land/property is held in the names of more than one person. This document is suitable for use in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

This document may be used where either one person holds property and wishes to declare a trust relating to its ownership or two people hold some property and wish to set out the way in which they own the property. Whilst the document is intended for use primarily with real property, it may also be used for any other type of property. The document allows the property to be held so that upon the death of the first owner, it passes either to the survivor or alternatively to one of their heirs. Please note that this document is only for use in England & Wales and Northern Ireland.

Use this document to create a trust in respect of personal property; i.e. property other than land, or property built on land (known as real property). Personal property can include personal possessions (i.e. items that you can touch and move such as vehicles, furniture, boats, collectables, etc.) and intangible assets (i.e. items that you cannot touch such as the rights to the proceeds of an insurance policy or investment; the right to receive payment of a debt; intellectual property rights, etc.). This document is not suitable for use where the item of personal property is owned by more than one person. This document is suitable for use in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

This document allows a person to transfer their ownership in shares to another and retain the shares in their name. Where a company requires shareholders to fulfil certain criteria and the person does not, this document will allow someone who does to hold the shares on their behalf. The person who holds the shares must act in accordance with the instruction of the person owning the shares. This document is only suitable for shares.

This document is intended to be a simple trust for the benefit of a single beneficiary and his/her family. The income of the trust fund is payable to the beneficiary (called the 'life tenant') for his/her lifetime. On the life tenant's death, the income is payable to the life tenant's widow or widower and thereafter both the capital and income of the trust fund are payable to the life tenant's children in equal shares. Please note that this document is only for use in England & Wales and Northern Ireland.

Use this Will if you're aged 18 or above and married or in a civil partnership (do not use it if you are widowed, divorced or judicially separated).

It will allow you to make as many gifts of money or specific items as you like. You will be able to leave the remainder of your estate after making gifts (i.e. the residuary estate) to as many people as you like, either in equal shares or in varying percentages. You can also vary how you would like to leave your residuary estate, make provisions for the care of pets and appoint guardians for any children.

Those with spouses/civil partners domiciled outside the UK should note that modified inheritance tax rules apply, and we recommend tax advice is sought in these cases.

This Will is suitable for use in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Use this Will if you're aged 18 or above and married or in a civil partnership (do not use it if you are widowed, divorced or judicially separated).

It will allow you to make as many gifts of money or specific items as you like. You will be able to leave the remainder of your estate after making gifts (i.e. the residuary estate) to as many people as you like, either in equal shares or in varying percentages. You can also vary how you would like to leave your residuary estate, make provisions for the care of pets and appoint guardians for any children.

Those with spouses/civil partners domiciled outside the UK should note that modified inheritance tax rules apply, and we recommend tax advice is sought in these cases.

This Will is suitable for use in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Use this Will if you're aged 18 or above and married or in a civil partnership (do not use it if you are widowed or divorced).

It will allow you to make as many gifts of money or specific items as you like. You will be able to leave the remainder of your estate after making gifts (i.e. the residue) to as many people as you like, either in equal shares or in varying percentages. You can also vary how you would like to leave the residue and appoint guardians for any children.

Those with spouses/civil partners domiciled outside the UK should note that modified Inheritance Tax rules apply, and we recommend tax advice is sought in these cases.

This Will is suitable for use in Scotland only. Do not use it if you own anything located in a member country of the European Union other than the Republic of Ireland or Denmark.

Use this Will if you're aged 18 or above and married or in a civil partnership (do not use it if you are widowed or divorced).

It will allow you to make as many gifts of money or specific items as you like. You will be able to leave the remainder of your estate after making gifts (i.e. the residue) to as many people as you like, either in equal shares or in varying percentages. You can also vary how you would like to leave the residue and appoint guardians for any children.

Those with spouses/civil partners domiciled outside the UK should note that modified Inheritance Tax rules apply, and we recommend tax advice is sought in these cases.

This Will is suitable for use in Scotland only. Do not use it if you own anything located in a member country of the European Union other than the Republic of Ireland or Denmark.

This Will is designed for someone who is not married or in a civil partnership, whether or not they have a partner and whether or not they have any children. It will allow you to make as many gifts of money or specific items you would like. You will be able to leave the remainder of your estate after making gifts (i.e. the residuary estate) to as many persons you would like, either in equal shares or in varying percentages. You can also vary how you would like to leave your residuary estate, make provisions for the care of pets and appoint guardians for your children. This Will is suitable for use in England & Wales and Northern Ireland.

This Will is designed for someone who is not married or in a civil partnership, whether or not they have a partner and whether or not they have any children. It will allow you to make as many gifts of money or specific items you would like. You will be able to leave the remainder of your estate after making gifts (i.e. the residuary estate) to as many persons you would like, either in equal shares or in varying percentages. You can also vary how you would like to leave your residuary estate, make provisions for the care of pets and appoint guardians for your children. This Will is suitable for use in England & Wales and Northern Ireland.

Use this Will if you're aged 18 or above and not currently married or in a civil partnership. This includes those who've divorced or had their civil partnership dissolved, those whose spouse or civil partner has died, and those who've never been married or in a civil partnership. Use it if you're single or in a relationship.

It will allow you to make as many gifts of money or specific items as you like. You will be able to leave the remainder of your estate after making gifts to as many people as you like, either in equal shares or in varying percentages. You can also vary how you would like to leave the remainder of your estate and appoint guardians for any children.

This Will is suitable for use in Scotland only. Do not use it if you own anything located in a member country of the European Union other than the Republic of Ireland or Denmark.

Use this Will if you're aged 18 or above and not currently married or in a civil partnership. This includes those who've divorced or had their civil partnership dissolved, those whose spouse or civil partner has died, and those who've never been married or in a civil partnership. Use it if you're single or in a relationship.

It will allow you to make as many gifts of money or specific items as you like. You will be able to leave the remainder of your estate after making gifts to as many people as you like, either in equal shares or in varying percentages. You can also vary how you would like to leave the remainder of your estate and appoint guardians for any children.

This Will is suitable for use in Scotland only. Do not use it if you own anything located in a member country of the European Union other than the Republic of Ireland or Denmark.

Your 'digital assets' are things you manage or store on your computer, tablet, smartphone or online, such as photos, videos, music, e-books, blogs, domain names, movies, emails, conversations, social media, games, bank accounts and medical records. In the online environment, the term can describe both an account, such as a social media account, and the content held in that account, such as photos, messages, posts, etc.

This document is a list of all your digital assets, online accounts and digital devices. It is in 2 parts.

You will complete the first part online. This details what digital assets and devices you have. You will also be able to say what you want to happen to each of these after your death and include additional information to help with the management and distribution of your digital assets/devices after your death.

In the second part, you can provide access instructions for each of your digital assets and devices (i.e. the passwords, PINs, answers to security questions, etc. that are needed to gain access to these). The second part has to be completed offline because of the sensitivity of the information.

Use this Will if you're aged 18 or above, married or in a civil partnership, and want to create a discretionary trust of your general nil rate band. This may, for example, be done:

1. To try and restrict a local authority from accessing funds/assets derived from your estate to cover the cost of long-term medical or nursing care for your surviving spouse/civil partner; or

2. To ensure that gifts intended for children/grandchildren from a former relationship are received by them, without the danger of the surviving spouse/civil partner reducing the amount that goes to them.

In addition, you can make as many gifts of money and specific items as you like. You can leave the residuary estate (i.e. what's left after gifts and after deduction of the amount going into the discretionary trust) to as many people as you like, either in equal or unequal shares. You can also appoint guardians for your children and make provisions for the care of pets.

Please note that in order to use this document, your net estate must be worth more than £50,000.

This document is only suitable for use in England & Wales, and Northern Ireland. Those with spouses/civil partners domiciled outside the UK should seek tax advice, as modified inheritance tax rules apply.

Use this document to state what arrangements you'd like to be made for your funeral and for other related arrangements (e.g. funeral service, reception or memorial service).

You can make detailed requests, such as (in relation to a funeral service) what readings and music you would like, where you want the service to be held and who you want to lead it.

You can also log decisions about organ or body donation.

If you're in Scotland, you can make an 'arrangements on death declaration' about who you want to be responsible for your funeral arrangements. Without this, the law makes this decision for you.

A letter of wishes is an informal letter addressed to your executors or to the trustees of any trust created by your Will. It is used to tell them what you would like to happen following your death. Unlike your Will, the letter of wishes does not become publicly available when you die. It can be used to help or guide your executors or trustees on pretty much anything you wish. It does not interfere with or restrict the discretion of the executors or trustees in any way.

This document creates two Wills for either a married couple or for two people in a civil partnership with each other. Both of you need to be aged 18 or above. Mirror Wills are Wills made by two people in substantially the same terms. In these Wills, the married couple/civil partners provide for each other on the first death, and then say what is to happen on the event of the second death, which is the same in both Wills.

These Wills are suitable for use in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

This document is used to sever a 'joint tenancy' of property and, if the property is registered, to register that change at the Land Registry. This converts a joint tenancy into a tenancy in common. This document creates two copies of a notice of severance and, if the property is registered at the Land Registry, a form SEV and a covering letter to the Land Registry. This document can only be used in in relation to property in England or Wales, of which there are one or two owners and two joint tenants. Land Registry forms are reproduced with the permission of HM Land Registry.