At what age should I write a will?

There is no minimum age requirement for writing a will in England and Wales — anyone aged 18 or over can make one. The short answer to when you should write one is: earlier than most people do.

Common life events that prompt people to think about a will include buying a property, getting married or entering a civil partnership, having children, or accumulating savings and investments. But waiting for one of those milestones means many people go without one for longer than they intend.

Dying without a will is called dying 'intestate'. In that situation, the law — not you — decides who inherits your estate, and the rules may not reflect your wishes. A cohabiting partner, for example, has no automatic right to inherit under intestacy rules, regardless of how long you have been together.

A will also lets you name an executor (the person responsible for carrying out your wishes), appoint guardians for children, and make decisions about specific assets. It can work alongside other estate planning tools, such as a Lasting Power of Attorney — a legal document that lets someone you trust make decisions on your behalf if you lose capacity — which is why some people put both in place at the same time.

For anyone in their thirties or beyond who owns property, has dependants, or has accumulated meaningful assets, the question is less 'am I old enough to need a will?' and more 'what would happen to everything I have built if I did not have one?'

A solicitor or regulated financial adviser can help you understand how a will fits into your broader estate planning.