Information & Resources

Saturday 18th October 2025 Do I Need a Will If I Don’t Have Children? Yes. Here’s Why.

Not having children (or even a spouse) makes a lot of people think, “Well… who am I writing a Will for?” It’s a fair question. But it’s also the reason so many people die without a Will and unintentionally hand all the power over their estate to the law, not to the people or causes they actually care about.

At Premier Wills Online, we see this all the time: single people, people without children, people with distant family, or people whose closest connections are friends or charities, and they assume a Will is “for families.” It isn’t. A Will is for anyone who wants control.

Below is why you still 100% need a Will, maybe even more than someone with a traditional family setup.
 

1. If You Don’t Choose, the Law Chooses

When someone dies without a Will, they die intestate. That means your estate (your money, property, savings, possessions) gets distributed according to UK intestacy rules, not according to what feels fair or logical to you.

If you don’t have children or a spouse, the law will start working its way outwards through your relatives — parents, siblings, nieces/nephews, sometimes very distant relatives. If none exist, your estate could eventually pass to the Crown.

Ask yourself: Is that what you would choose?
If not, you need a Will.

2. “But I Don’t Mind Who Gets It” … Are You Sure?

Lots of people without children tell us, “I don’t really mind where it goes.” But most people do mind if you ask a couple more specific questions:

• Would you rather it go to your favourite sibling or one you barely speak to?
• Would you rather leave something to a close friend who was there for you?
• Would you prefer your money to support a charity, church, or cause you care about rather than being swallowed by legal fees?
• Would you like to thank someone — a carer, neighbour, or grandchild of a friend — with a gift?
• Do you have pets that need to be looked after?

A Will lets you be intentional. Without one, everything becomes generic. And generic rarely equals fair.
 

3. You Can Protect Against “Unintended Beneficiaries”

Without a Will, your assets can end up:

• With relatives you barely know
• Tied up in delays and legal work
• Reduced by disputes between people who think they’re entitled

It’s not always about “who gets rich from your estate” — sometimes it’s about avoiding arguments and admin. A clear, valid Will from Premier Wills Online tells everyone: this is what I wanted. That’s powerful.
 

4. You Can Do Something Brilliant With Your Money

One of the biggest advantages of not having children is freedom.

With a Will, you can:

• Leave a lump sum to a charity or multiple charities
• Support a local community project or club
• Set aside money for nieces, nephews, or godchildren
• Leave a gift to someone who cared for you
• Support a cause that aligns with your values (animal welfare, education, medical research, faith organisations, etc.)

This is legacy. Children aren’t the only legacy. A Will lets you make a statement about what mattered to you.
 

5. You Can Reduce or Plan for Inheritance Tax (Yes, Even Without Kids)

A lot of people think Inheritance Tax (IHT) is only a “wealthy family” problem. Not true. If you own a property and have savings, you could easily drift into IHT territory — especially in parts of the UK where house prices are high.

With a Will, and especially with some basic planning, you can:

• Leave money to charity and reduce IHT

• Make sure your estate is distributed in a tax-efficient way
• Avoid your estate being unnecessarily reduced by tax or legal costs

A little planning now can mean thousands of pounds more go to people or causes you actually care about.
 

6. You Can Set Out Your Wishes (So People Don’t Guess Later)

A Will isn’t only about money.

You can also set out:

• Your funeral wishes (burial/cremation, religious/non-religious, music, no fuss, etc.)
• Who should deal with your estate (your Executors)
• What should happen to personal items (jewellery, family items, collections)
• Instructions for pets

If you don’t do this, your loved ones have to make decisions in a stressful moment — and they may disagree. A Will gives clarity.
 

7. You Might Not Be “Heirless” Forever

Right now you might be single, no children, small circle. But life changes. You could form a new relationship, become a step-parent, take in a relative, or want to leave money to someone younger.

The good news: Wills can be updated. Starting one now with Premier Wills Online is smart, not premature. You get control today and can refine it tomorrow.
 

8. Dying Without a Will Can Get Expensive

This bit is rarely talked about. Dying intestate can mean:

• Delays in probate
• Extra legal costs
• Disputes between relatives
• Your estate paying for it all

That means less of your money goes to the people or causes you would have chosen.

A Will is one of the cheapest, most powerful bits of legal admin you can do.
 

9. It’s Quick to Do Online

You don’t need to sit in a solicitor’s office for hours to do this. With Premier Wills Online you can create a fully legal, personalised Will from home, at your own pace.

So… Do You Need a Will If You Don’t Have Children?

Yes.
Because a Will isn’t about how many dependants you have — it’s about who decides.

• Do you decide where your money goes?
• Or do the rules decide for you?

If you’d rather keep control, Start your Will online with Premier Wills Online