--- title: "Free will planning worksheets" description: "Prepare an executor conversation and a life-event will review checklist. Private browser tools and practical downloads, without an email or account." url: "https://swiftwill.co.uk/will-planning-resources/" author: "Marcus Kaiser" date_modified: "2026-09-12" --- # Free will planning worksheets Prepare for a conversation with a proposed executor, or build a checklist for reviewing your will after life changes. Both worksheets are free, work without an account and can be downloaded. They organise your decisions; they do not create or alter a will. > SwiftWill provides legal information and software for England & Wales under Section 9 of the Wills Act 1837. Figures are taken from gov.uk, legislation.gov.uk and HMCTS, checked 12 August 2026. We have not given you legal advice — this is general information. Executor conversation Life-event review Download blank worksheets ## How do you ask someone to be your executor? Start by explaining why you trust them and what the role involves. Give them a chance to think about time, administration and working with other executors. A useful opening is: “I am preparing my will and would like to ask whether you would consider being an executor. There is no need to answer today. Could we talk about what it might involve?” An executor deals with the estate after death, including identifying assets and debts and distributing what remains. They may need probate and professional help. Ask first, check their details and discuss how they would find the original. Our [executor guide](/what-is-an-executor/) explains the role in more detail. ## What could a new home change in your plan? Alex has moved and still wants the same friend to act as executor. Alex uses the worksheet to confirm the friend's willingness and records where the original can be found. Alex also reviews whether the existing will mentions the old property as a specific gift. Updating this worksheet alone would not change that gift or any address in the will. ## What should you review after a family change? Sam has a new child and wants to revisit guardianship and inheritance wishes. Selecting the birth or adoption event produces a preparation prompt. Sam still needs to consider parental responsibility, speak to proposed guardians and arrange appropriate wording. If family arrangements or a dependant's needs are complex, a professional should help. ## What should happen after your review? If changes are necessary, follow a proper process for [updating or replacing your will](/changing-your-will/). Once a replacement is properly completed, update the practical information in your [executor handover](/executor-handover/). Check pension and life-insurance nominations separately: your will does not necessarily control them. ## Where can you check the sources and prepare further? [GOV.UK: what to put in a will and when to get advice](https://www.gov.uk/make-will/writing-your-will); [GOV.UK: reviewing and changing a will](https://www.gov.uk/make-will/updating-your-will); [GOV.UK: responsibilities after a death](https://www.gov.uk/when-someone-dies). These worksheets explain preparation, not the legal effect of a particular document. Still choosing a route? Try the [free will planner](/tools/will-planner/), compare [free and donation-supported schemes](/free-will-options/), or inspect a [clearly marked example document](/sample-will/). ## Executor conversation prompts - **Would you be willing to act?** Explain that an executor handles the estate after death. Give the person time to decide and ask questions. - **What would make the role manageable?** Discuss time, location, other commitments and when professional help might be needed. - **Who else would be involved?** Discuss other proposed executors, how they would work together and what happens if someone cannot act. - **Where would the important information be?** Explain how to find the signed original, contact details and a separate asset record. Do not record passwords here. - **What should we follow up?** Record questions, contact details to confirm, and any decisions to discuss with the will writer. ## Events that prompt a will review - **Marriage or civil partnership is planned or has happened:** Get advice promptly about the effect on your existing will. Do not assume an old will still expresses an effective plan, or that this checklist preserves it. - **Separation, divorce or a relationship change:** Review gifts, executors, property and financial dependants. The legal effects of separation and a final divorce differ; get advice before relying on the old wording. - **A birth, adoption or a change in a child's needs:** Review guardianship wishes, beneficiary wording and any arrangements for younger or vulnerable beneficiaries. Complex arrangements need advice. - **An executor, guardian or beneficiary died or can no longer act:** Check the actual replacement arrangements in your document. A discussion note does not appoint a replacement. - **A move, property purchase or significant financial change:** Check what assets the will covers, ownership arrangements and specific gifts. Review pension and insurance nominations separately. - **Your wishes changed, or it has been about five years:** Read the full document and check names, shares, gifts, people and signing arrangements. Arrange a properly prepared and signed replacement if needed. The worksheets do not create or amend a will. Notes stay in the browser page; download privately and clear notes on shared devices. ## Frequently asked questions ### Does completing the worksheet appoint an executor? No. A discussion or a downloaded note does not appoint anyone in a will. The appointment belongs in a properly prepared will, and an executor may need to decide whether to act when the time comes. ### How often should I review my will? GOV.UK recommends reviewing your will every five years and after major life changes. Review sooner when people, property, relationships or your wishes change. A calendar reminder is a prompt to review, not an automatic legal update. ### Will these answers be sent to my family or an executor? No. The worksheets do not send messages or store your notes on a server. You choose whether to download or share your file. Your browser and any downloaded file still need to be kept private. ### Should I destroy my old will when I finish the checklist? No. This is only a planning checklist. Do not destroy an existing will before a replacement has been properly made and signed. Get advice if you are unsure about changing or revoking a will. Canonical HTML: https://swiftwill.co.uk/will-planning-resources/ Markdown: https://swiftwill.co.uk/will-planning-resources.md Last modified: 2026-09-12 Author: Marcus Kaiser (https://swiftwill.co.uk/author/marcus-kaiser/)