You do not need a perfectly organised filing cabinet before making a will. A clear picture of your family, your property and your wishes is a much more useful starting point. A little preparation also helps you notice questions that deserve advice before they become drafting problems.
Begin with the people who matter. Write down the full names of your partner, children and anyone else you intend to benefit. Include adopted children, children from earlier relationships and anyone who depends on you financially. Avoid relying on nicknames where two people could be confused.
Map what you own
List your home, other property, savings, investments and significant personal possessions. Alongside them, note mortgages and other substantial debts. Approximate values are enough for an initial conversation; formal valuations may be needed later for particular planning decisions.
Record whether each asset is in your sole name or jointly owned. Joint ownership does not always mean the same thing legally, and some assets may pass outside your will. Pension and life assurance arrangements also need their own review. Do not assume that a sentence in your will overrides a provider's rules or an existing nomination.
Choose the people who will help
Think about an executor who is willing, organised and able to deal fairly with the beneficiaries. Ask before naming them, and consider a substitute. If you have young children, speak to the people you would like to appoint as guardians. Caring for children and managing their inheritance are different responsibilities, even where the same person could undertake both.
Then consider any particular gifts and who should receive the rest of your estate. That remaining balance, known as the residue, should not be overlooked simply because you have listed your most valuable belongings.
Turn your notes into a plan
Finally, write down anything that makes your circumstances less straightforward: a family disagreement, a dependent adult, foreign property or a business interest. Bring these issues to a solicitor rather than trying to solve them through improvised wording.
Keep your working notes separate from the signed will. They can help you prepare and review your plans, but they are not a substitute for a properly drafted and witnessed document.
Sources and further reading
General information, not advice on your individual circumstances. Laws and tax rules can change; check the linked official guidance and obtain professional advice where needed.