How Much Does a Will Cost in the UK? (2026 Guide)

Making a will is one of the most important things you can do for your family — but many people put it off because they're unsure of the cost. The good news: it's often far cheaper than you think, and in some cases completely free.

Here's a clear breakdown of what you can expect to pay in England & Wales today. For the requirements for a valid will in the UK, see GOV.UK.

Note: This guide covers wills in England & Wales. Scottish law differs in some key areas.

Quick Summary: Will Costs at a Glance

The Main Options — and What They Cost

1. Online Will Services (Best Value for Most People)

Online will platforms let you create a legally valid will from home, typically in under an hour. Will-writing services generally start at under £100, making them the most accessible option for people with straightforward circumstances.

This is the sweet spot for most adults in England & Wales — you get a properly structured, legally binding document without solicitor fees.

Best for: Single people, married couples with simple estates, first-time will writers.

2. High Street Solicitor

The traditional route. In a representative Which? survey carried out in May 2025, those who used a lawyer to write their will paid an average of £328 — though costs can run higher for complex estates.

Fixed-cost will writing from specialist legal services typically starts from £150 for a single will, £245 for mirror wills, and £399 for trust wills (including VAT).

Solicitors are regulated, which means you or your family can seek compensation if something goes wrong. Worth it for complex situations — less necessary for straightforward ones.

Best for: Complex estates, business owners, blended families, overseas assets.

3. Will-Writing Services

Specialist will writers sit between online platforms and solicitors on price and service. A simple will written by a specialist will writer might cost around £150.

Note: Will writers are not regulated in the same way as solicitors, so check for membership of a professional body such as the Society of Will Writers or the Institute of Professional Will Writers.

4. DIY Wills

It is possible to write your own will from scratch or using a template, but it's generally not advised and only suitable if your affairs are very straightforward. Common mistakes include ambiguous wording, missing assets, and incorrect witnessing — all of which can make a will invalid or contested.

5. Free Will Schemes

Several well-established schemes let you get a professionally drafted will at no cost:

• Free Wills Month — runs in March and October/November, open to adults of any age. A suggested donation of £120 for a single will or £200 for a joint will is requested, but entirely voluntary.
• Will Aid — solicitors draft your will in November in exchange for a suggested charitable donation.
• Octopus Legacy — runs a free wills scheme twice a year, available to all adults in England & Wales with simple affairs.

These schemes are legitimate and widely used. The trade-off is that appointments fill up quickly, and you're encouraged (though not obligated) to leave a gift to a participating charity.

What Affects the Price?

The price differs depending on who writes your will, whether you opt for an online or in-person service, whether you need a mirror (couples') will, and the complexity of your affairs — such as significant wealth, trusts, or overseas property.

Key factors include:

• Single vs. mirror will — couples typically pay more for two linked wills.
• Trusts — adding a trust (e.g. to protect children's inheritance) adds cost.
• Location — London solicitors tend to charge more than those elsewhere.
• Storage — some providers charge separately to store your will securely.

Do You Need to Update Your Will?

It's recommended you review your will every three years, and after major life events. Crucially, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, getting married or entering a civil partnership automatically revokes a will. Divorce, having children, or significant changes to your estate are also triggers to revisit your wishes.

What's the Cheapest Legitimate Option?

For most people with straightforward circumstances, an online will service offers the best combination of price, convenience, and legal validity. You can create a legally binding will in under an hour, from home, for a fraction of solicitor fees.

*This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For complex estates, we recommend seeking professional legal guidance.*

Compare the online will vs solicitor route in detail.

Create your will today at a fraction of solicitor fees.

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Wills & Power online will writing service UK — from £47 for a single will. For most straightforward estates, the best online will service London offers is faster and more affordable than a solicitor.

Make a will online — London residents welcome. Start today from £47.

Wills & Power is a trusted online will service UK — thousands of legally valid wills created.