How Much Does a Will Cost? UK Prices Compared (2026)

Cost is one of the main reasons people delay making a will. Many assume solicitors charge hundreds of pounds and that anything cheaper must be risky or legally questionable.

The reality is different. Online wills costing under £100 are just as legally valid as those costing £500 at a high street solicitor. The document itself follows the same legal requirements. What you're paying extra for is advice, complexity handling, and hand-holding.

This guide breaks down exactly what each option costs, what you get for your money, and which approach makes sense for your situation.

Table of Contents

• Will Prices at a Glance
• DIY Wills
• Online Will Services
• Will-Writing Services
• Solicitors
• Free Will Schemes
• What Affects the Price?
• Hidden Costs to Watch For
• Which Option Should You Choose?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Next Steps

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Will Prices at a Glance {#prices-overview}

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DIY Wills {#diy}

Cost: £10-£30

DIY will kits from stationers like WH Smith provide blank templates and instructions for you to complete yourself.

Pros

• Cheapest option
• Immediate - no appointments or waiting
• Complete privacy

Cons

• Easy to make mistakes that invalidate the will
• No guidance for complex situations
• No one checks your work
• You won't know if you've done it wrong until it's too late

When DIY Is Appropriate

• Very simple estate (no property, no children)
• No unusual family circumstances
• You're confident with legal documents
• Truly as a stopgap until you do it properly

Our verdict: Not recommended for most families. The cost savings aren't worth the risk.

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Online Will Services {#online}

Cost: £90-£150 (single), £130-£200 (mirror wills)

Online will services guide you through a questionnaire, generate a legally valid will based on your answers, and provide it for you to print, sign, and witness.

What's Included

• Guided questionnaire covering all key areas
• Legally compliant document
• PDF to print and sign
• Basic customer support
• Some include digital storage

Popular UK Online Will Services

Service	Single Will	Mirror Wills	Notable Features
Farewill	£90	£135	Most popular, B Corp
Co-op Legal	£99	£149	Established brand
Beyond	£90	£130	Competitive pricing
Guardian Angel	£100	£150	Focus on young families
Kwil	£85	£130	Budget option

Pros

• Much cheaper than solicitors
• Fast - complete in 20-30 minutes
• Guided process reduces errors
• Just as legally valid as solicitor wills
• Available 24/7

Cons

• Limited support for complex situations
• No face-to-face advice
• Template-based (can't handle unusual requests)
• You still need to organise witnesses

When Online Is Appropriate

• Standard family situations (married, kids, own a home)
• Straightforward wishes (spouse inherits, then children)
• No blended families, businesses, or overseas assets
• You're comfortable with online services

Our verdict: The sweet spot for most UK families. Affordable, convenient, and perfectly adequate.

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Will-Writing Services {#will-writing}

Cost: £150-£250 (single), £200-£350 (mirror wills)

Will-writing services are independent advisors who help you create a will, often in your home. They're not solicitors but are trained in will writing.

What's Included

• Home visit option
• Face-to-face consultation
• Personalised advice
• Will drafted and printed for you
• Often include witnessing service

Pros

• More personal than online
• Home visits suit less mobile people
• Someone explains everything to you
• Usually includes witnessing

Cons

• Not regulated - no professional body, no protection
• Quality varies enormously
• May push expensive "add-ons"
• No legal qualifications required

The Regulation Warning

Will-writing services are not regulated in the UK. Anyone can set up as a will writer. Unlike solicitors:

• No minimum qualifications required
• No compensation scheme if things go wrong
• No professional body overseeing standards
• No insurance requirements

Some will-writers are excellent. Others are not. Research carefully.

Our verdict: Consider carefully. If you want face-to-face but can't afford a solicitor, check the will-writer's credentials, reviews, and professional memberships.

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Solicitors {#solicitors}

Cost: £200-£500+ (single), £300-£800+ (mirror wills)

Solicitors are qualified lawyers regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). They provide professional legal advice and are insured against mistakes.

What's Included

• Professional legal advice
• Complex situation handling
• Tax planning options
• Trust creation
• Storage services
• Regulated protection if things go wrong

Typical Solicitor Fees

Firm Type	Single Will	Mirror Wills	Complex Will with Trusts
High street	£200-£350	£300-£500	£500-£800
Regional/city	£250-£450	£400-£650	£700-£1,200
Specialist estate	£350-£500+	£500-£800+	£1,000-£2,000+
London/major city	£400-£600+	£600-£1,000+	£1,500-£3,000+

Pros

• Qualified and regulated
• Insurance protects you if they make mistakes
• Can handle any level of complexity
• Can advise on tax, trusts, and estate planning
• Some will store your will free

Cons

• Most expensive option
• Need to book appointments (often daytime)
• May feel formal and intimidating
• Quality still varies

When to Use a Solicitor

• Blended families (children from different relationships)
• Business ownership
• Property abroad
• Significant assets (over £500,000)
• Complex tax situation
• Desire to set up trusts
• Excluding someone who might contest

Our verdict: Worth the extra cost for complex situations. For straightforward families, online is fine.

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Free Will Schemes {#free}

Several schemes offer free wills, usually in exchange for a charitable donation (optional but expected).

Will Aid (November)

• Solicitors donate time each November
• Suggested donations: £100 (single), £180 (mirror wills)
• Goes to Will Aid charities
• Best for simple wills
• willaid.org.uk

Free Wills Month (March and October)

• Coordinated charity scheme
• For people aged 55+
• Charities hope you'll leave them a legacy
• freewillsmonth.org.uk

Individual Charity Schemes

Many charities offer free wills year-round in exchange for considering a legacy:

• Age UK
• Cancer Research UK
• British Heart Foundation
• NSPCC
• RSPB
• And many others

Pros

• Genuinely free
• Solicitor-drafted
• Good for simple situations

Cons

• Limited availability (specific months or ages)
• Pressure to leave a legacy
• May have waiting lists
• Not ideal for complex situations

Our verdict: Good option if timing works and your needs are simple.

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What Affects the Price? {#what-affects-price}

Several factors can push your will cost higher:

1. Complexity of Your Estate

• Multiple properties
• Business interests
• Overseas assets
• Complex investments

2. Family Situation

• Blended families
• Stepchildren
• Estranged relatives
• Potential contestants

3. Trusts and Tax Planning

• Trusts for minor children
• Inheritance tax planning
• Lifetime trusts
• Discretionary trusts

4. Geographic Location

• London and Southeast prices are 20-50% higher
• Rural areas may have fewer options

5. Additional Documents

• Lasting Power of Attorney (£100-£500 per LPA)
• Letter of wishes (often included)
• Property trust deeds

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Hidden Costs to Watch For {#hidden-costs}

Storage Fees

Some services charge annual fees to store your will. Others include it free.

Updates and Changes

• Some services charge for any amendments
• Others include one update per year
• Check the policy before committing

Executor Services

If you name the solicitor or service as executor, they'll charge fees when you die:

• Often 1-5% of estate value plus hourly rates
• A £500,000 estate could cost £5,000-£25,000 in executor fees
• Usually better to name individuals

Witnessing Services

Some services don't include witnessing. You'll need to organise two witnesses yourself.

Add-On Products

Will-writing services sometimes aggressively upsell:

• Family trusts (often unnecessary)
• Document storage (often cheaper alternatives exist)
• Legal protection plans

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Which Option Should You Choose? {#which-option}

Choose DIY (£10-£30) if:

• You have no property, no children, and minimal assets
• You're using it as a temporary measure only
• You're very confident with legal documents

Choose Online (£90-£150) if:

• You're married with children
• You own a home
• Your wishes are straightforward
• You're comfortable with technology
• You want value for money

Choose a Solicitor (£200-£500+) if:

• You have a blended family
• You own a business
• You have overseas assets
• You want tax advice
• Your estate is complex or valuable
• You're excluding someone who might contest

Choose Free Schemes if:

• Timing works (November for Will Aid, or you're 55+)
• Your needs are simple
• You're happy to consider a charitable legacy

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Frequently Asked Questions {#faq}

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Key Takeaways

• £90-£150 gets you a valid will - Online services are adequate for most families
• Don't overpay for simplicity - Solicitors are for complex situations, not standard wills
• Free options exist - Will Aid (November) and Free Wills Month (55+) offer solicitor-drafted wills
• Watch for hidden costs - Storage fees, update charges, and executor fees add up
• Complexity costs more - Budget £350-£500+ if you need trusts or tax planning

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Next Steps {#next-steps}

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Last updated: January 2026. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Prices are indicative and vary by provider and location.