- How can my family find my Will?
- Is it compulsory to register an electronic copy of my Will?
- Why should I keep an electronic copy of my Will?
- Can other people see or access my Will online?
- Where is my Will copy stored?
- How much does electronic Will storage cost?
- Can I make changes to my Will once it is in storage?
- Does it cost anything to make changes to my Will?
- Can anyone else make changes to my Will?
- Do you provide a Will writing service, or can you recommend a Will Writer?
- Can I upload my Will directly?
- What if I change solicitors?
- What if I write a new Will and don't send you a copy?
- How long is my Will stored for?
- What if I stop paying for storage?
- Where should I keep my original Will?
- Can I ask you to permanently delete the electronic copy of my Will?
- How do I revoke my Will?
How can my family find my Will?
Any family member can request a search for a Will by contacting us here. WillScan only releases your Will to you, your nominated Solicitor/Willwriter, or your executor, subject to them verifying their identity and providing a valid reason for needing to see the Will.
Is it compulsory to register an electronic copy of my Will?
The UK does not yet mandate the electronic storage of Wills, however the EU recommends schemes for the registration of wills in interconnected national registers. The Citizens Advice Bureau and the Legal Services Consumer Panel have recommended an electronic database for all Wills.
Why should I keep an electronic copy of my Will?
There are many reasons listed here to keep a central electronic copy of your Will.
Can other people see or access my Will online?
Only you and your Solicitor/Willwriter can see your Will. WillScan staff do not view individual Wills, other than for quality control purposes or when asked to provide a copy. Our systems automatically create an audit trail, recording the time and user details every time your Will is viewed.
Where is my Will copy stored?
All our customer data is held in secure datacentres in the UK. We will never store or send customer confidential information outside the UK, in line with our policies on secure storage.
How much does electronic Will storage cost?
Secure Will storage on WillScan costs from as little as 83 pence per month. View our price list.
Can I make changes to my Will once it is in storage?
Your uploaded Will cannot be altered. Changes to your Will or codicil should be validated by your Solicitor or Willwriter and a new signed copy uploaded to WillScan
Does it cost anything to make changes to my Will?
No, once you are a WillScan member you are entitled to upload as many new Wills as you like with no additional charges
Can anyone else make changes to my Will?
No. Stored Wills are tamper proof and once uploaded cannot be altered.
Do you provide a Will writing service, or can you recommend a Will Writer?
WillScan is an independent manager of the archive and central register, we do not provide Will writing services. To find a Solicitor or Willwriter near you please search here
Can I upload my Will directly?
The WillScan service is only available through registered Solicitors and approved professional Willwriters. We do this to ensure that any basic errors in drafting Wills can be identified before submission. Please contact us if you want us to recommend a Solicitor or Willwriter who can review your DIY Will and submit it for secure storage.
What if I change solicitors?
If you decide to change your Solicitor or Willwriter, please notify us here
What if I write a new Will and don't send you a copy?
If you write a new Will that revokes your previous Wills, then this is the one which should be submitted to probate, and any previous copy we hold is revoked, whether you tell us or not. We recommend that your latest Will is uploaded to WillScan as soon as possible after it is signed to avoid any possible confusion or disputes.
How long is my Will stored for?
A copy of your Will is stored for as long as your WillScan membership is active.
What if I stop paying for storage?
We will send you reminders when your storage period is due for renewal. If we do not receive renewal instructions, your Will is moved from active to archived storage, and copies are no longer available to you.
Where should I keep my original will?
Many Solicitors and professional Willwriters offer a physical Will storage service. If your Will copy is stored securely with WillScan, then you may decide that keeping the original at home is sufficient as you have an electronic backup.
Can I ask you to permanently delete the electronic copy of my Will?
Yes, we adhere to the Data Protection Act 1998, and you can contact us to request that we remove all electronic records we hold, including all Will copies.
How do I revoke my Will?
Under section 20 Wills Act 1837 you can revoke your Will by "burning, tearing or otherwise destroying the same". To inform WillScan that you have revoked you Will, simply tell us using our online contact form.
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