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

The cost of making a will in the UK varies enormously – from £10 for a DIY kit to over £1,000 for complex estate planning. The right choice depends on your circumstances, not just your budget.

I've seen the aftermath of cheap wills that weren't fit for purpose, and I've seen people pay solicitor fees for straightforward situations where a simple online service would have done the job. This guide helps you find the right balance for your situation.

Quick Cost Summary

Here's what you can expect to pay in 2026:

DIY Options

Cost: £10-35

DIY will kits are available from stationers, supermarkets, and Amazon. They typically include blank forms and instructions.

Pros:

• Very cheap
• Quick – can complete in an evening
• No appointments needed

Cons:

• High rate of errors
• No professional review
• No advice on tax or complex situations
• Responsible for more contested wills than any other option

Suitable for: People with very simple situations – no children, no property, few assets, and everything going to one person or split equally. Even then, I'd recommend an online service over a paper kit.

Online Will Services

Cost: £90-180

Services like Farewill, Beyond, and Co-op Legal Services guide you through making a will online. You answer questions, they generate the document, you print, sign, and store it.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Convenient – complete at home, any time
• Built-in checks catch common mistakes
• Some offer telephone support
• Often include will storage

Cons:

• Limited for complex situations
• No face-to-face advice
• You're still responsible for getting signing right
• May not catch all issues

Suitable for: People with straightforward situations – everything to spouse, then equally to children. Works for most homeowners with standard family setups.

Will Writing Services

Cost: £150-300

Professional will writers, many of whom visit your home, provide a more personal service than online options. They're not solicitors but are typically members of professional bodies like the Society of Will Writers or Institute of Professional Willwriters.

Pros:

• Face-to-face or phone consultation
• Can explain options and give advice
• Will spot issues an online form might miss
• Often more affordable than solicitors

Cons:

• Not regulated like solicitors
• Quality varies – check for professional body membership
• Can't handle very complex legal issues

Suitable for: Most people. This is a good middle ground between DIY and solicitor costs, with the benefit of professional guidance.

Solicitor Costs

Simple will: £200-500

Complex will: £500-1,500+

Solicitors are fully regulated, carry professional indemnity insurance, and can handle any level of complexity.

Pros:

• Highest level of professional protection
• Can handle complex estates and trusts
• Advice on inheritance tax planning
• If something goes wrong, you have recourse
• Can coordinate with other legal needs

Cons:

• More expensive
• May need to visit during office hours
• Can feel more formal

Suitable for: Complex estates, business owners, blended families, anyone wanting maximum peace of mind, situations involving inheritance tax planning or trusts.

Mirror Wills for Couples

Cost: £200-700 for the pair

Mirror wills are matching wills for couples where each leaves everything to the other, then to the same beneficiaries (usually children). They're legally separate documents but with identical terms.

Most providers offer a discount for mirror wills:

• Online: £150-250 for both
• Will writer: £200-450 for both
• Solicitor: £300-700 for both

Note that mirror wills are independent – if one spouse dies, the survivor can change their will. If you want binding arrangements (so the survivor can't change things after the first death), you need more complex planning, which costs more.

Complex Wills

Cost: £500-1,500+

You might need a more expensive will if you have:

• Business interests: Succession planning, shareholder agreements
• Trusts: Asset protection, inheritance tax planning, disabled beneficiaries
• Blended families: Providing for spouse while protecting children's inheritance
• Foreign assets: Property abroad, dual nationality
• Large estates: Inheritance tax mitigation strategies
• Agricultural property: Farm succession

For these situations, the extra cost is worthwhile. Getting complex planning wrong can cost your family far more in taxes, legal disputes, or unintended consequences than you'd save on will fees.

Free Will Schemes

Several ways to get a free will:

Free Wills Month (March and October):

Participating solicitors write basic wills for free for people aged 55+. The solicitor may ask if you'd consider leaving a gift to charity, but there's no obligation.

Will Aid (November):

Solicitors write wills in exchange for a donation to charity (suggested £100 single, £180 pair). Not technically free, but affordable with a good cause.

Charity-specific schemes:

Many charities offer free will-writing services. They'll typically mention leaving a legacy to the charity, but it's not required. Check with charities you support.

Workplace schemes:

Some employers offer will-writing as an employee benefit, either free or discounted.

Limitations of free wills:

• Usually for straightforward situations only
• Limited time slots (popular schemes book up fast)
• May feel pressured about charitable gifts
• Not always available year-round

Is It Worth Paying More?

The right question isn't "how can I get the cheapest will?" but "what level of service do I need?"

Pay less if:

• Your situation is genuinely simple
• You're comfortable with forms and don't need hand-holding
• Your estate is modest and family situation uncomplicated

Pay more if:

• You have any complexity (children from different relationships, property abroad, business)
• You want face-to-face advice and reassurance
• Your estate might be liable for inheritance tax
• You want complete peace of mind

A badly drafted will can cost your family far more in legal fees, family disputes, and tax than you'd save by going cheap. The £200-400 difference between a DIY kit and professional advice is tiny compared to the value of your estate and the importance of getting it right.

Think of your will as an investment in your family's future peace of mind. The cost is a one-time expense that protects everyone you care about.