How Much Does a Will Cost in the UK?

It depends on who writes it

Will costs in the UK range from nothing to several thousand pounds, depending on how you approach it and how complicated your situation is.

DIY wills: free to around £30

You can write your own will on a piece of paper or buy a template online. Legally, a self-written will is just as valid as one drafted by a solicitor, provided it is correctly signed and witnessed.

The risk is getting it wrong. Missing clauses, ambiguous wording, or errors in execution can invalidate a will entirely. A professionally structured template includes all the legally required clauses in the right format.

Online will services: £79 to £160

Online services guide you through the process with structured questions and produce a formatted, legally compliant document. Costs vary between providers. PureWill charges £79 for a single will and £129 for mirror wills for couples. Farewill charges £100 for a single will and £160 for a couple. Co-op Legal Services starts at £149 for a single will.

For a straightforward estate, the cheaper online services produce the same legal outcome as the more expensive ones.

Professional will writers: £100 to £250

Will writers are specialists who draft wills for you, sometimes in person. They are typically cheaper than solicitors. Unlike solicitors, though, will writers are not regulated in the UK. They need no qualifications and carry no mandatory professional indemnity insurance. If they make an error, your options are limited.

Solicitors: £150 to £400 and above

For a straightforward will, solicitors typically charge £150 to £400. For complex wills involving trusts, overseas property, or inheritance tax planning, costs can reach £1,000 to £5,000 or more.

The higher cost buys regulation, insurance, and professional accountability. If a solicitor makes a mistake, you have clear routes to claim compensation. That protection is worth paying for if your estate is genuinely complex.

Free options for people aged 55 and over

Two schemes offer free wills for older adults.

Free Wills Month runs in March and October, with participating solicitors across England and Wales offering free simple wills to people aged 55 and over.

Will Aid runs every November. Participating solicitors write basic wills in exchange for a suggested donation to charity. The suggested amount is £120 for a single will or £200 for mirror wills, but you can give less.

Both schemes have limited availability and fixed timings, so they suit people who can plan ahead.

Which option is right for you?

For a straightforward estate — a home, savings, and you want to leave everything to your spouse and then to your children — an online service is the sensible choice. You get a correctly structured, legally valid document for £79, ready in 20 minutes.

For anything more complex, the cost of a solicitor is modest compared to the value of getting it right.