How Long Does It Take to Make a Will?

Lots of things can put people off making a will, including not being sure about how long the process can take.

For many people, it takes less than an hour to complete the document itself. With Willable it can take less than 20 minutes. Either way, completing the document is often the quickest part. The harder bit, and most of your time, goes into deciding what you want and who you would like to include.

Here are some tips to consider and decide upon before completing your will.

Start with the people who matter to you

Before you make your will, it helps to think about the people and causes you care about.

You may want to consider:

• Who would you like to inherit from you?
• Would you like to leave everything to one person or share it between several people?
• Who would you choose to care for your children if they are under 18?
• Who do you trust to carry out your wishes?
• Are there meaningful items you would like to leave to particular people?
• Would you like to include a charity?

You do not need to make every decision at once. Taking a little time to think or talk with your family can help you feel confident about your choices.

Gather a few helpful details

Having some basic information ready can make writing your will quicker.

You may need the names and addresses of the people you want to include. This could include family members, friends, guardians and the person you choose as your executor.

An executor is someone you trust to carry out the instructions in your will. They will help make sure your wishes are carried out, and your property and money go to the people you have chosen. It is also often advisable to nominate more than one executor in your will.

It also helps to have a broad picture of what you own. You will not need to list individual items in a will, unless you want to gift a particular item to an individual, but it helps you think about your estate and who should be listed as a beneficiary.

A simple will can be completed quickly

Your will may be quicker to make when your wishes are already clear.

For example, you might want to leave everything to your spouse or partner. You may then want your children to inherit if you and your partner are no longer here.

You might prefer to divide everything equally between your adult children.

Choices like these can often be recorded quickly.

You may benefit from extra guidance from a solicitor, and/or an accountant, if you have a business, property in another country or a family arrangement that needs more thought. This gives you space to make choices that fit your circumstances.

How Willable helps

We have designed Willable to make each step feel clear and manageable. It is designed for straightforward estates.

We guide you through one decision at a time. We use plain English and explain any legal terms you need to know.

You can start your will online for free. You can save your progress and return whenever you are ready.

Some people complete their will in one session. Others take time to think or speak with family members. Both approaches are completely normal.

You set the pace. We help you understand each step.

You can begin before you have every answer

Making a will can feel like a big task before you begin. Once you break it into a few clear decisions, it will feel much more manageable.

You do not need the perfect plan. You can start with what you know and take each question in turn.

Your will can be updated when your life changes. This means you can make choices that suit you now and review them later.

If you already know who you would like to include and who you trust to carry out your wishes, you may be closer to completing your will than you think.

How long should you allow?

For a simple will, you may be able to complete the process in less than an hour once you have a clear view about what you want.

You may need more time when:

• You want to discuss your wishes with family
• You are choosing guardians for your children
• You have a business or property abroad
• You want independent professional guidance about your circumstances

There is no right speed. What matters is that your will reflects your wishes and feels right for you.

With Willable, we use a guided online wizard to ask you questions and we turn your answers into a structured will draft. All of this is free to try.