Max George, known for his time in boyband The Wanted and his appearance on Strictly Come Dancing, has shared how he hastily wrote a will on his iPhone ahead of undergoing an emergency operation to have a pacemaker fitted.

Fortunately, the surgery was a success, and Max is now recovering in good health. Reflecting on that moment, Max said he was driven by thoughts of his loved ones—particularly his partner, actress Maisie Smith, aged 23, and his close family.

“That first night I wrote a will, I thought I was going to die,” Max told the Daily Mail. “When you get told that, you really realise what your responsibilities are.”

While Max’s instincts were right—planning ahead is crucial—his digital notes would not meet the legal standards for a valid will in England and Wales.

Why Max George’s will wouldn’t hold up in court

Under English law, there are clear statutory requirements to ensure a will is legally binding:

• It must be in writing.

• It must be signed by the person making the will (the testator).

• The signature must be witnessed by two independent people, present at the same time.

• Those witnesses must also sign the will.

A typed note or message saved on a phone, without proper witnesses and signatures, would not satisfy these criteria, making it invalid under the Wills Act 1837.

The dangers of dying intestate

Sadly, Max’s story is not uncommon. Over half of UK adults do not have a will, often under the assumption that it’s something to be dealt with later in life. However, dying without a valid will—known as dying intestate—can cause significant complications.

In such cases, the estate is distributed according to strict intestacy rules, which follow a fixed hierarchy. Spouses and children inherit first, while unmarried partners, stepchildren, friends, or charities—no matter how close—receive nothing unless named in a valid will.

For example, if Max had passed away without a legally binding will, his girlfriend Maisie would not have inherited anything. His estate would have been distributed among his blood relatives, regardless of his actual wishes.

Intestacy and guardianship concerns

Another often-overlooked issue is the appointment of guardians for minor children. The law provides no automatic mechanism for this in the absence of a valid will, which can lead to uncertainty or disputes within the family—or even court involvement.

Making a will the right way

Max’s story highlights an important truth: everyone, regardless of age or health, should consider making a will. Doing so allows you to:

• Protect your loved ones

• Appoint guardians for children

• Choose who inherits your assets

• Avoid family disputes

• Support causes or people not covered under intestacy laws

Above all, it ensures your wishes are respected—not left to chance.