Velati

Wills for single parents

Your will is the document that names who looks after your children.

If you're a single parent, your will is the most important document in the house. It does two things at once: it appoints the person who looks after your children if you die before they're 18, and it sets up the trust that holds whatever you leave them until they're old enough to manage it. Without a will, both decisions go to the court.

Start your will — £95See pricing

Built for

You're the one your children rely on.

Velati's questionnaire branches around your situation. The questions you'll answer — and skip — were designed specifically for single parents.

The reality

What happens if you don't have a will

If both legal parents die without a will and the children are under 18, the court decides who becomes their guardian. The court is fair, but it doesn't know your family. It doesn't know that your children's father has had no contact in eight years, or that the godparent you'd choose lives a four-hour train ride away and you'd rather your sister did it. The other consequence: anything your children inherit is held under a bare trust, paid out in full at 18 — typically far too young. A will lets you set the age higher (we suggest 21 or 25) and choose the trustees who manage it.

What Velati does for you

Three things, deliberately, well.

  • 01

    Appoint a guardian — and a backup

    Name the person you want to look after your children, and a substitute in case they can't. Velati prompts you to talk to them first. We don't accept a guardian who hasn't been asked.

  • 02

    Hold their inheritance until they're ready

    By default, anything a minor inherits is theirs at 18 — usually a bad idea. We let you set it to 21 or 25, with the trustees able to release money earlier for education, housing or genuine need.

  • 03

    Account for the other parent

    If your child's other parent is alive and shares parental responsibility, your appointment of a guardian only takes effect if they die too. We explain this clearly so the document does exactly what you expect.

A worked example

What your will actually says, in plain English.

Before you pay anything, Velati shows you this screen — your will, written so you can read it. This is a non-personalised example for single parents. Your real review will use your real names and decisions.

velati / drafts / your-review.pdf

Plain-English review

Your will, in plain English

This is what your will actually does — written so you can read it without a lawyer.

For the will of

Maria Catherine O'Brien

  • Clause 01"If I die before my children turn 18, my sister becomes their guardian."

    Your sister Rebecca Mendel is appointed legal guardian of your two children. The appointment only takes effect if your children's other parent has also died or no longer holds parental responsibility.

  • Clause 02"Their inheritance is held until they turn 21."

    The trustees — Rebecca and your friend Idris Patel — hold each child's share until they turn 21. They can release money earlier for education, housing or genuine need, at their discretion.

  • Clause 03"I've left £1,000 to my mum specifically."

    A pecuniary legacy of one thousand pounds (£1,000) is paid to your mother Diane Mendel before the rest of your estate is divided.

You'll see this screen before you pay. Nothing is final until you've read it.

Common questions

Things people ask before they start.

  • Can I name a guardian who isn't a relative?

    Yes. The guardian must be over 18, of sound mind, and willing — but they don't have to be family. Many single parents name a close friend or a godparent. The signing pack includes a letter for them to sign confirming they accept the role.

  • What if my child's other parent is still alive but I don't want them to be guardian?

    If the other parent has parental responsibility, they automatically become the sole carer if you die — your appointment of a guardian does not override that. If you have serious safeguarding concerns, this is a §10 bail-out for solicitor advice. We don't try to handle it through a template.

  • What age should I set for my child to inherit?

    Most parents choose 21 or 25. 18 is the default if you don't say otherwise. We'd nudge you towards 21 as a sensible balance — old enough to be reasonable, young enough not to feel patronising.

Not quite your situation?

Read the page that fits you better.

Decide who looks after your children — before someone else has to.

Twenty minutes. £95. Done before bedtime.

Start your willRead the Velati guide first