⚠️ This guide was researched and updated in May 2026. Laws and regulations change frequently. For specific legal advice regarding your jurisdiction, please consult with local legal counsel.
Do I Need a Lawyer to Write a Will in Ghana?
Ghanaian law does not require you to use a lawyer to make a will. What it does set are formal rules for signing and witnessing, and limits on which property a will can pass on. This guide sets out what that means and where advice tends to help.
The short answer
No. A will you write yourself, or make with an online will service, can be just as valid as one drafted by a lawyer, provided it follows the rules that apply to you.
The Wills Act, 1971 generally requires a written will signed by you, or by someone at your direction, in the presence of two witnesses present at the same time, who then sign in your presence.
A lawyer adds judgement rather than paperwork. Family property, customary rules, businesses and assets overseas are the usual reasons people take advice. See also choosing a will service in Ghana.
What tends to tip the balance
None of these makes a lawyer compulsory. They are the situations where people most often decide the extra cost is worth it.
Family or stool property
Customary law generally keeps family and stool property with the family, so a will passes on only property you acquired yourself. Telling the two apart is a common reason for advice.
A spouse, parent or child left out
The Wills Act lets the court make reasonable provision for a spouse, parent or child the will does not provide for, so people often take advice before leaving anyone out.
A business
Company shares or a family business usually need a succession plan that sits alongside the will rather than inside it.
Assets in several countries
Property abroad may be governed by other rules, which can conflict with a will made in Ghana.
Land held under different interests
Leasehold, freehold and customary interests in land can pass differently, and the paperwork behind them is not always complete.
Straightforward estate, clear wishes
A modest estate with clear wishes is the case a structured online will most commonly covers well.
What actually decides whether a will is valid in Ghana
It is in writing
A written will made by an adult of sound mind is the form the Wills Act, 1971 recognises.
You sign it
You sign the will, or someone signs it at your direction and in your presence.
Two witnesses together
Two witnesses present at the same time see you sign and then sign themselves. A witness or their spouse who is left a gift in the will may lose it.
The formalities decide validity
Validity turns on following the formal rules, not on who prepared the will. The route you choose does not, by itself, make a will stronger.
Frequently asked questions
Is a will legal in Ghana without a lawyer?
Yes. A will made without a lawyer can be valid if it is written, signed and witnessed correctly. If your circumstances are complicated, consider speaking to a qualified professional in Ghana.
Should I deposit my will with the High Court?
Depositing is optional but common. The Registrar of the High Court can keep the will safe, which makes it easier to find when it is needed.
Can I leave my property to anyone I choose?
Largely, but not always. Family and stool property generally stay outside a will, and the court can provide for a spouse, parent or child left out.
Is a will kit valid in Ghana?
A will kit can produce a valid will if it is completed, signed and witnessed correctly. Most problems with kits come from unclear wording or witnessing mistakes.
Put a will in place your way
Start with our guided will and take advice where you need it. If your estate is complex, you can find a legal professional and carry your answers into that conversation.
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