Anyone can use Capacity Vault. The two main categories where you should use it are: (1) if you believe the wishes in your will may be challenged, and (2) if you have concerns around your testamentary capacity.

Making your Capacity Vault recording should take approximately half an hour. Our tutorials take 3 minutes, setting up your account should take 5 minutes and your recording will take 20 minutes to half an hour. If your recording is interrupted you will have to start the whole recording again.

Setting up your account costs £60. The subscription costs £10 per year. You can update your recordings for free and recover the recording free of charge if you maintain your subscription. If you cancel your subscription we will keep your recording. You will have to make a fresh purchase if you make a further recording. Without a subscription we will charge an admin fee to release the recording. This admin fee is currently £190.

We use AI to check your recording whilst you are making it. This ensures that your voice can be detected whilst you are making the recording. Once you complete the recording it is stored securely. If your will is ever challenged then the parties challenging your will and the courts will check the recording in full.

You'll be taken through a short tutorial (it takes around 3 minutes). You'll then set up an account so we can store your recordings. Finally we will record your Capacity Vault entry. The recording can take up to 10-20 minutes. You should make the recording alone and in one single session. If you have to stop recording (e.g. to answer the phone or go to the toilet) you will have to re-record your answers.

We store your Capacity Vault recording in our secure storage until it is needed. If you update your will you should make another Capacity Vault recording. Each time you make a recording you can download a certificate to keep with your will.

Capacity Vault does not have a playback function. This has been done on purpose. We need to make sure that we record and store a true representation of your testamentary capacity. That is why we ask you to make the recording in one take and on your own. Once the recording is made we will store it on our secure servers. If your recording is interrupted for any reason you can start again but you will have to answer every question.

Your computer or other device (e.g. a mobile phone or tablet) must have a sufficiently strong connection to the internet (minimum 5kbps). You must have an up to date operating system (Apple - iOS 14+, OSX+, Android 10+, Windows 10) and most recent version of your browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari). You must have a front facing camera.

To access a recording you will need to submit a request through our "contact us" function. You will be asked to provide the full name and date of birth along with the Death Certificate. We will release a certified copy of the original recording evidenced by the unique hash. Where the recording is required for a court case where proceedings have been issued we will also provide a statutory declaration for the courts. Release of recordings are free where the subscription continued throughout the lifetime of the deceased. We charge an admin fee for release where the subscription was cancelled.

You can download your certificate by following the link you see after completing your recording. We will also email you a link you can use. Finally you can log into your account at any time whilst you have a subscription to download any and all of your Capacity Vault certificates.

Yes - we recommend you update your recording every time you update your will or add a codicil. You should make the recording immediately before or after you execute your will. You can make new recordings for free whilst you maintain your subscription.

Yes. If you have a diagnosis of a dementia related illness such as Alzheimer's you can use our service. Please note that if your will is challenged your recording will be made available for examination. The courts and any expert witnesses will use the evidence you record to check if you had testamentary capacity at the time you made the recording.

Yes. You can use the service if you have no concerns around your testamentary capacity. You may choose to do this if you are worried that someone may challenge your will. A challenge is more likely if you choose to leave a close relative out of your will. By leaving evidence in the form of a Capacity Vault recording the chance of a successful challenge is greatly reduced.

You can use Capacity Vault anywhere and at any time. We recommend that you are on your own when you make the recording although medical professionals can be present (they will be asked to identify themselves during the recording). Please also make the recording somewhere without background noise. Hospitals can be noisy places with machines, ward rounds and visitors.

We recommend Capacity Vault recordings are made without anyone else present. A solicitor or medical professional can be present. If a family member or friend is present this could lead to accusations of undue influence. This is especially likely if you benefit under the terms of the will.

You should make the recording on your own but a medical professional or solicitor can be present. Anyone present at the time of the recording will be asked to identify themselves.

Capacity Vault is designed for use in England and Wales. It follows English and Welsh case law in the questions.

If you are resident and/ or domiciled outside of England and Wales then we would recommend seeing a local solicitor, advocate or lawyer. Capacity Vault is designed for use in England and Wales.