5 common myths about writing a Will
06 Aug 2026
Writing a Will can seem daunting; totalling up everything in your life that may have value takes you down a thought path that many people want to avoid. Around half of all UK adults do not have a Will, and you may think one is not needed. That is incorrect. There are many misconceptions about Wills that we are here to debunk.
Myth 1: “My partner will get everything automatically anyway.”
This isn’t always true. In many cases, under intestacy rules, the deceased's partner does not receive everything. Sometimes unmarried partners receive nothing.
Just because you live with someone does not mean that they will inherit everything. This is why it is so important to make your wishes known so that your assets go to the people that you want them to.
Myth 2: “I don’t have enough assets to warrant a Will.”
Many people only think of a Will in monetary terms; a Will can be a lot more than that. You may not own property, but a Will can be used for much more than that. From a financial perspective, any savings you may have can be included in a Will, as can life insurance payouts and digital assets like stocks and shares, as well as more logistical matters such as guardianship of children.
Myth 3: “Writing a Will is expensive and complicated.”
Writing a Will is one of the most self-directed things you can do in the way of ‘life admin’, and the complexity of your Will is entirely up to you. If you want everything to go to one person, that is relatively straightforward, but if you have more wishes, the Will may become more complicated. It is entirely up to your own wishes.
The writing of a Will is not too expensive. It may seem unnecessary at times, but the cost of not having one, if something happens and the process of intestacy kicks in, can often be dearer and a lot more stressful for family members.
The legal costs, the delays, and the stress on an already grieving group of people can often be much worse than arranging a will as a safety blanket for loved ones’ peace of mind.
Myth 4: “I can just write a Will on my own, and it’ll hold up if anything happens.”
Writing your wishes down as a Will can be a free way to do it, and if the Will is straightforward, it can sometimes work fine. However, there are a number of reasons to avoid this method.
• The wording – The wording in a Will document can leave no room for argument, and writing the wishes yourself can often lead to ambiguous wording that can be contested later on by other people.
• Invalidation – If you have a Will you have written yourself, this can lead to trouble later on with incorrect witnessing and the possibility that your DIY Will gets invalidated and intestacy kicks in, which was what you were trying to avoid.
Getting a professional to do your Will removes all these possibilities, giving you the peace of mind that everything will go as you intended.
Myth 5: “Once it is done, I don’t need to think about it again.”
This is one of the most common misconceptions about Wills. Life events can warrant a change to your Will. Things like marriage, divorce, a new home, children, and businesses can all be reasons to review and update your Will to reflect your new assets and circumstances.
This doesn’t need to be done often, but checking the Will after major life events and periodically, around every 5 years, is a good way to ensure that it is exactly as you want it.
Writing a Will doesn't need to be complicated, expensive or something you put off for "another day." What it does need to be is accurate, properly witnessed and reviewed as your life changes. Getting it right now means the people you love won't be left guessing about your wishes when it matters most.[AH1]
If any of these myths sound familiar, it's worth taking a closer look at your own plans, or making a start if you haven't yet.
Ready to put your mind at ease?
Our Wills, Trusts and Probate team is here to guide you through the process, clearly and without the jargon. Get in touch with Sort Legal today.
Tel: 0333 3231091
Email: wtp@sortlegal.co.uk