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If you are confident that you can complete a will without legal advice, there are a number of Do-It-Yourself will-writing kits available for purchase both online and from bookstores and some department stores. There are a number of things to keep in mind if you do decide to write your own will.

• You should make sure your will is clear and concise, and that it abides by the law. If your will does not meet legal requirements, or is confusing or contradictory, it may be changed or contested, or even declared invalid.

• If you do not complete your will under the correct procedures it could be deemed invalid. One of the most common mistakes concerns witnesses – all wills must be witnessed (and signed) by two individuals who are not beneficiaries. That is, the two witnesses cannot be mentioned in the will as receiving any benefit or asset. The witnesses must sign the will in the company of the will-writer, and in each others’ company. If any of these requirements are not met, the will can be contested.

• You should think carefully about who you would like the executor of your will to be. You can elect an executor who is also a beneficiary, and in fact this is quite common. You can also indicate that you would like a solicitor to carry out the actions indicated in your will. You do not need a solicitor to be present when executing the will, but it is always advisable – this reduces the risk of confusion and contestation.