Inheritance tax facts

The signature of the person making the will, also known as a testator, must be witnessed to make their will valid. While this sounds easy, there are a few legal requirements that must be followed to ensure its validity. In this blog, we’ll explore what a witness does, who can witness a will and why you need a witness.

In this informative video, Anna Sutcliffe (Partner) and Hollie Mills (Solicitor) from our Contentious Probate team answer some of the most commonly asked questions around contesting wills specifically with a focus on the Inheritance Provision for Family and Dependants Act 1975.

On 16 May 2025, the Law Commission published its long-awaited report, Modernising Wills Law, accompanied by a draft Bill proposing a new Wills Act to replace the Wills Act 1837. The overarching aim is to modernise the law to better reflect contemporary society, strengthen protections for vulnerable individuals, and provide greater clarity and certainty around making a Will.