Inheritance & Probate Law · Europe
Make a Will That Actually Stands Up — Drafted by a Lawyer Who Knows the Local Rules
A will that is invalid, ambiguous or out of date is worse than no will at all — it hands your estate to the default rules and your family to a dispute. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted lawyer who drafts wills in your European country every day, so your wishes are clear, lawful and binding.
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Who this is for
A will is the single most direct way to control what happens to everything you have built
A will is a legal document in which you set out how your assets should be distributed after your death, who should look after any minor children, and who should be responsible for carrying out your wishes. It is the foundation of almost every estate plan, and for most people it is also the only opportunity they have to override the default rules. Yet a will is only useful if it is valid in the country that governs your estate — and validity is far from guaranteed: formal requirements, forced-heirship protections and the way cross-border assets are treated all vary by jurisdiction. You may be drafting your first will, updating one after a marriage, divorce or birth, moving between countries, or wondering whether an existing will still works after your circumstances changed. In every case, getting the drafting right the first time is what protects the people you leave behind.
Why wills go wrong
The will is only as good as its drafting,
and small defects can void the whole thing.
Formal mistakes, outdated instructions and cross-border complications are the quiet reasons so many wills fail exactly when they are needed.
Invalidity from small formal errors
Each country has its own formal requirements — witnesses, signature, notarisation — and a will that misses one can be declared invalid, leaving the estate to be divided by default rules instead.
An outdated will that no longer fits
Marriage, divorce, children and moves abroad can change what a will means or whether it remains valid, yet most people never update the one they made years ago.
Ambiguity that fuels disputes
Vague wording or conflicting clauses are a gift to anyone who wants to contest the estate, turning a document meant to bring clarity into the source of a family fight.
What you get
A wills lawyer who drafts a document that holds up
We only match you with lawyers who draft and review wills regularly in the country that governs your estate.
A will that reflects your wishes
Your lawyer takes the time to understand your assets and family, then drafts a will that does what you actually intend rather than following a template.
Validity assured
All formal requirements of the relevant jurisdiction are met — signatures, witnesses and any notarisation — so the will cannot be set aside for a technical defect.
Forced-heirship navigated
Where a country reserves a share for close relatives, your lawyer explains what you can and cannot do, so the will is realistic and less likely to be challenged.
Cross-border assets covered
If you hold property or accounts abroad, your lawyer ensures the will works alongside the rules of each relevant country rather than being undermined by them.
Coverage
Wills lawyers across Europe
The formal requirements for a valid will differ by country, so the right lawyer is one who drafts under the rules of the jurisdiction governing your estate. We match cases across the following and beyond:
Frequently asked
Wills — common questions
What makes a will legally valid?
The requirements vary by country, but most jurisdictions require the will to be in writing, signed by the person making it, and witnessed or notarised in a specific way. Because the exact formalities differ, a will drafted under one country’s rules is not automatically valid in another.
What happens if I die without a will?
Your estate is distributed according to the intestacy rules of the governing country, which set out a fixed order of who inherits. Those rules may not match your wishes — for example, an unmarried partner may receive nothing — which is why a will matters.
Can I leave my assets to whoever I want?
Not always in Europe. Many countries apply forced-heirship rules that reserve a portion of the estate for close relatives such as children or a spouse, limiting your freedom to disinherit them. A lawyer can explain what applies to your situation.
I have a will from another country — is it still valid?
Possibly, but not automatically. A will valid where it was made may still need translation, certification or to satisfy local requirements to be effective over assets in another country. If you have moved, you should have it reviewed.
How often should I update my will?
It is wise to review your will after any significant life event — marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or a move to another country — and periodically otherwise. Some events can even change a will’s meaning or validity automatically in certain jurisdictions.
Can I write my own will without a lawyer?
In many countries you can, but the risk is high: a minor formal or drafting error can make the will invalid or ambiguous, and the cost of putting that right after your death falls on your family. Professional drafting is the reliable way to ensure your wishes hold up.
Free case review
Make your wishes binding, not just written
Tell us about your situation and we’ll connect you with a wills lawyer who drafts documents like yours in the relevant country — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.