Confused by legal jargon? At Wills 4 Less we have broken down the key will jargon into terms you can easily understand, helping you to make informed decisions about your future and your loved ones while not feeling out of your depth.
When drafting your Will, you might encounter a lot of legal jargon that seems to be frustrating, endless or sometimes its just too much! Will 4 Less has come up with this Glossary Of WILL Terms to offer you clarity, confidence and control in all the decisions you make. You can check it out here: https://amersham.wills4less.co.uk/glossary-of-will-terms/
We get that making a will is about more than just paperwork – it’s about the people you care about and seeking your own peace of mind. This Glossary Of WILL Terms will help you navigate the legal world and never again feel you have to leave it in hand of legalese.
The Legal-ese Most people are scared to death when it comes to making a Will and this isn’t usually because they are afraid of dying! This Glossary Of WILL Terms was created to make your beginnings easier so you can:
At Will 4 Less, we discount because everyone should feel like they are included in their own Will not excluded due to the use of 'legalese'. Enter the WILL Glossary Of Terms -designed to help you take control of your wishes, and that of your assets or loved ones tomorrow.
If someone dies without a will, the administrator is the individual named to manage that person’s estate under intestacy laws.
The act of witnessing the signature on the will to ascertain its due execution. Valid attestation under UK law requires two, independent witnesses.
Anyone who is bequeathed something from your will. This is probably THE most heavily-searched term from any Glossary Of WILL Terms because it describes who will receive your estate.
A gift left in a will. For instance, if you leave your jewellery to your daughter this gift is a bequest.
A formal addition to your current will that doesn't require you to rewrite the entire document. It’s in our Glossary Of WILL Terms, because many people amend their wills when such significant events happen.
All that you own when you die, such as property, money in a bank account, investments and possessions.
The individual in whose favor you make testamentary disposition. This is one of the most crucial factors in any Glossary Of WILL Terms, as executors have legal liability.
If you have young children, your will names guardians for them: people who would care for them if you die before they turn 18. This is part of making sure that they are safe emotionally and physically.
Tax due on your estate if it is over a certain amount (£325,000 at 2025 in the UK). Understanding this term can help you with tax planning.
Dying without a proper will is known as dying intestate. Here’s the A-Z on passing without a will (which our Glossary Of WILL Terms helps to explain as it prompts strict legal rules on inheriting).
Another name for gift in a will. There are specific types:
Pecuniary Bequest – a specific amount of money
Special Bequest – a specified item or asset
What is left after debts and other legacies have been paid Residuary Legacy
Wills created by couples that mirror each other, typically leaving assets to each other.
Dying without a proper will is known as dying intestate. Here’s the A-Z on passing without a will (which our Glossary Of WILL Terms helps to explain as it prompts strict legal rules on inheriting).
Another name for gift in a will. There are specific types:
Pecuniary Bequest – a specific amount of money
Special Bequest – a specified item or asset
What is left after debts and other legacies have been paid Residuary Legacy
Wills created by couples that mirror each other, typically leaving assets to each other.
The judicial procedure of proving a will and granting executors the authority to administer the estate. It is one of the popular searches under Glossary Of WILL Terms since more families are need help on probate.
What remains in your estate after other costs — such as debts, funeral expenses, taxes and any gifts specified in the will — are paid.
The person making the will. ‘Testator’ is used in reference to males, ‘testatrix’ to females although the term ‘testator’ has become gender neutral.
A legal structure that permits a person (trustee) to hold and administer assets on behalf of others. For instance, a trust may be established for children until they are old enough to spend the money responsibly.
Friends watching you sign your will and then watch them sign yours as well so it is clear you signed without being forced. In UK, at least, witnesses cannot be beneficiaries.
This Glossary Of WILL Terms will assist you:
Lots of people never get around to making a will because legal language seems intimidating. We at Will 4 Less feel knowledge is the root of fear. Which is why, since you pay for thousands of words of our former pitches excellent journalism, we keep this Glossary Of WILL Terms open and jargon-free, so that it’s part of your common knowledge already and not the subject of an esoteric legal lecture.
No, you dont have to memorize them. This Glossary Of WILL Terms can be turned to when you encounter an obscure word.
While this glossary can help you wrap your head around the terminology, we still strongly advise seeking professional advice to make sure that your Will is valid, tax efficient and operates how you would like it to!
Law tends to employ specific words so as not to create misunderstanding or dispute. That arsenal of words, known only to civil law specialists?This Glossary Of WILL Terms puts that precision on your terms without compromising its legal precision.
Yes. We update it every year to reflect alterations in UK law – meaning you will always be up to date with current knowledge.
Here at Will 4 Less, we are more than just words on paper We:
The use of this Glossary Of WILL Terms will ensure that your Will writing is easier, clearer and more empowering Processes. At Will 4 Less, we strive to make Will writing easy for any family, individual, or professional looking into peace of mind with no legal jargon.
If you have more questions than what this Glossary Of WILL Terms provides, Contact us so you can talk about your will with real experts who care more about your peace of mind than they do about piles of paperwork.
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