Inheritance & Probate Law · Europe
Draft a Will That Actually Does What You Intend
A will is the one document that decides who receives your home, savings and belongings — yet most are vague, outdated or invalid in the places that matter. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted lawyer who drafts wills correctly under the applicable law.
- Tailored to your estate & family
- Valid under the governing law
- No fee to get matched
No commitment. No hidden fees.
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Tell us about your situation and receive a free, confidential case review.
Who this is for
A will is a legal instrument, not a wish list
Drafting a will means recording, in legally effective form, how you want your estate distributed after your death: who inherits your property, savings and personal possessions, who is appointed to administer the estate, and who looks after any children or dependants. The document has to satisfy strict formal requirements to be valid, and its wording has to be precise enough to be carried out without ambiguity or dispute. It must also work within the constraints of the governing law — including, in several European countries, forced-heirship rules that reserve part of an estate to certain relatives regardless of what the will says. Because circumstances change, a will also needs to be reviewed and updated as your assets, family and residence change. A lawyer drafts a will that reflects your actual intentions and will stand up when it is needed.
Why homemade wills go wrong
The cheapest will is often
the most expensive one.
A template or handwritten note can seem sufficient — until its wording, signature or form fails at the moment it is needed.
Formalities that invalidate it
Wills must meet specific requirements on signature, witnesses and form to be valid, and those requirements differ by country. A defect can render the entire document void, whatever your intentions were.
Ambiguous or contradictory wording
Vague gifts, conflicting clauses and unclear appointments invite dispute among beneficiaries — and the people left behind pay the cost in legal fees and years of uncertainty.
An outdated will
A will written before a marriage, divorce, child or move abroad may no longer reflect the law or your wishes, and in some countries certain life events change its effect automatically.
What you get
A will drafted properly, for your actual situation
We match you with lawyers who draft wills regularly and understand the formal and substantive rules that apply.
Your intentions captured clearly
Your lawyer discusses your assets, family situation and wishes in detail, then drafts precise, unambiguous provisions that leave no room for the disputes that vague wording invites.
Valid under the governing law
Signature, witnesses, notarisation and language are handled correctly, so the will is valid in the country whose law applies and stands up when it is executed.
Heirship rules accounted for
Forced-heirship and other mandatory rules are identified and respected, so your will does what the law actually permits rather than what you hope it can do.
Kept current as life changes
Your lawyer advises when a marriage, divorce, child, move or new asset means the will should be reviewed — so it never quietly falls out of step with your life.
Coverage
Will-drafting lawyers across Europe
The formal and substantive rules governing wills are national, so the right lawyer drafts under the law of the country that will govern your estate. We match cases across:
Frequently asked
Drafting a will — common questions
Do I really need a lawyer to draft a will?
You can write a will yourself, but the risk is high: formal defects can make it invalid, and imprecise wording can create disputes that cost your heirs far more than proper drafting would have. A lawyer ensures the document is valid and actually reflects your intentions.
What must a will contain to be valid?
The formal requirements — typically the testator’s signature, witnesses, and sometimes notarisation or registration — vary by country. A will must also be clear about who inherits what and who administers the estate. A lawyer drafts it to meet the specific requirements of the governing law.
Can I leave everything to one person?
Not necessarily. In several European countries, forced-heirship rules reserve a portion of an estate for certain relatives, such as children or a spouse, and that portion cannot be given away freely. A lawyer explains which rules apply to your estate before the will is finalised.
How often should I update my will?
There is no fixed interval, but a will should be reviewed after significant life events — marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, a move to another country, or a major change in assets. In some jurisdictions certain events alter a will’s effect automatically, so regular review is prudent.
What happens if I die without a will?
Your estate is distributed under the intestacy rules of the governing law, which follow a fixed order of heirs that may not match your wishes and may leave nothing to unmarried partners or close friends. Drafting a will puts you, not the default rules, in control.
Can my will cover assets in another country?
Yes, but cross-border estates need care: the will should be drafted to be recognised in every relevant jurisdiction and to work with the succession and heirship rules that apply there. A lawyer coordinates this so the will holds up wherever your assets sit.
Free case review
Put your wishes in writing — properly
Tell us about your assets and family, and we’ll connect you with a will-drafting lawyer who practises under the applicable law — free of charge, with no obligation to instruct.