Artificial intelligence can draft an email, summarise legal concepts and even produce what appears to be a professionally structured will in seconds. Social media influencers can confidently explain inheritance tax, probate and estate planning to audiences of thousands. But when it comes to something as important as your will, confidence and competence are not the same thing.

New research from the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) highlights a growing issue that many of us working in private client law are seeing more frequently: people relying on AI tools and unregulated online advice for wills and estate planning without fully understanding the legal risks involved.

According to STEP’s 2026 Barometer, 15% of practitioners had encountered AI-drafted wills containing errors, while 7% had seen AI-generated wills that were entirely invalid. Nearly half had also come across wills prepared by unqualified or incompetent will writers that contained mistakes.

Those findings should concern anyone considering a DIY approach to something as important as protecting their family and estate.

The Dangerous Rise of False Legal Confidence

One of the greatest risks with AI-generated legal documents is not always an obvious mistake. It is the false confidence they create.

A will produced by AI may look polished, use convincing legal language and appear professionally structured. However, wills are not simply standard forms where you insert your name and assets.

For a will to be legally valid in England and Wales, strict legal formalities must be followed. Guidance from the UK Government on making a will makes clear the importance of proper drafting and execution.

If any details are wrong, vague or incomplete, the consequences can be serious.

We are increasingly seeing what I would describe as “false legal certainty” — people believing that because an AI chatbot or social media expert has given them an answer, that answer must be correct.

Unfortunately, estate planning is rarely that straightforward.

Why Blended Families Face Greater Risk

Modern families are often far more complex than traditional legal templates assume.

Second marriages, cohabiting relationships, stepchildren, estranged family members, overseas assets, business ownership and pension arrangements all introduce potential legal complications.

STEP’s research found that blended families are now one of the leading causes of estate planning disputes, with increasing conflict between children, stepchildren, parents and surviving partners.

A poorly drafted will in these circumstances can unintentionally:

• Leave a surviving partner financially exposed
• Create unfair or unintended outcomes between children
• Increase the likelihood of inheritance disputes
• Trigger avoidable inheritance tax liabilities
• Create uncertainty around jointly owned property
• Lead to claims against the estate

These are not theoretical risks. These are precisely the issues that often result in expensive probate disputes after someone has passed away.

The Problem with Social Media Legal Advice

Social media has undoubtedly helped make legal and financial topics more accessible, but accessibility is not the same as professional advice.

Short-form content is designed for engagement, not legal accuracy.

Estate planning advice relating to inheritance tax, gifting, trusts, protecting children from previous relationships, appointing executors or excluding family members requires context, nuance and professional judgement.

What may be appropriate for one family could be entirely unsuitable for another.

If advice comes from an unregulated online influencer, consumers may have little or no recourse if that advice proves harmful.

The Ongoing Risks of Unregulated Will Writers

AI is not the only concern.

Unregulated will writing services remain a longstanding issue in the legal sector.

Consumers often assume that anyone offering legal documents is professionally regulated. That is not always the case.

If you are instructing a solicitor, you can verify regulation via the Solicitors Regulation Authority register.

There is a significant difference between selling a document and providing regulated legal advice tailored to a client’s circumstances.

Can AI Ever Be Helpful in Estate Planning?

Artificial intelligence absolutely has a place within modern legal services.

It can improve efficiency, assist with document handling, simplify explanations and help legal professionals deliver services more effectively.

However, a will is not simply an administrative document.

It is a legal risk management tool designed to protect your estate, your family and your wishes after death.

Technology can support that process, but it should not replace legal expertise where individual circumstances matter.

Questions to Ask Before Using AI to Draft a Will

Before relying on AI or online legal advice, ask yourself:

• Does this advice reflect the law in England and Wales?
• Has my family structure been properly considered?
• Could this wording be challenged or misunderstood?
• Have inheritance tax implications been addressed?
• Is this document legally valid?
• Who is accountable if this turns out to be wrong?

If the answer to any of those questions is unclear, that uncertainty should be taken seriously.

With wills, mistakes often only become apparent after death — when it is too late to fix them.

That is when families can face unnecessary stress, conflict and expense that proper legal advice could have helped avoid.

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Frequently Asked Questions About AI Wills and Estate Planning

Can AI legally draft a will in England and Wales?

AI can generate wording that resembles a will, but that does not guarantee the document is legally valid. A valid will must comply with specific legal formalities, including correct execution and witnessing requirements.

Are AI-generated wills legally binding?

Only if they fully comply with the legal requirements for a valid will in England and Wales.

Is it safe to use ChatGPT or AI tools to write a will?

AI tools may provide general information, but they cannot properly assess your personal circumstances, family arrangements, tax exposure or future legal risks in the way a qualified solicitor can.

Why are blended families at higher risk of inheritance disputes?

Blended families often involve competing interests between spouses, children, stepchildren and former partners. Without careful estate planning, wills can unintentionally create disputes or unfair outcomes.

What is the risk of using an unregulated will writer?

Unregulated providers may not be subject to professional oversight, insurance requirements or clear complaint procedures.

Should I use a solicitor to prepare my will?

If your circumstances involve property, children, remarriage, business interests, inheritance tax concerns or complex family arrangements, using a regulated solicitor can significantly reduce legal risk. Learn more about private client legal services at OLS Solicitors.

Can a will be challenged if it was created using AI?

Yes. If the wording is unclear, execution is defective, or the document does not comply with legal requirements, the will may be vulnerable to challenge.