DATA-BACKED GUIDE · UPDATED JULY 2026
How much does it cost to write a will in the UK?
A will can cost very little done online or a good deal more through a solicitor, and which one suits you depends on how complicated your affairs are. The gap between a basic single will and a full estate plan with trusts is wide, so it helps to see what people actually pay rather than guess from a headline figure. The real prices on this page cover everything from budget services to high-street firms. This is general information, not legal advice.
The quick version
- A basic will can be done cheaply online or through a will-writing service, while a solicitor costs more but is regulated and better suited to anything complicated.
- Couples often take mirror wills, two matching wills, which usually costs less as a pair than two entirely separate wills bought one at a time.
- Trusts, business assets, blended families or property abroad push the price up because the drafting takes longer and carries more risk of getting it wrong.
- Will-writing companies are not regulated the way solicitors are, so it is worth checking who is actually doing the work and whether they carry insurance.
- Free and low-cost options exist, such as charity will schemes at certain times of year, if your affairs are simple and you're happy to make a donation instead of paying a fixed fee.
- The quoted price does not always include storage or future updates, so ask what happens if you need to change the will in five years' time.
What people actually paid
Where these 12 prices come from — 5 named sources
Each is a published price list, an official survey, or a receipt/quote a reader shared. The full per-price list with year and area is on the will writing page.
The gap: advertised vs actually paid (medians)
People reported paying 65% less than the advertised list price for will writing.
List prices are advertised prices; paid figures are what people reported, often for different cases. Treat the gap as a signal, not a quote.
Chain vs independent: who charges more
The same will writing, split by who owns the practice. Medians, cheapest first, with the count behind each.
| Ownership | Prices | Median | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corporate-owned | 4 | £200 | £100–£380 |
| Independent | 5 | £630 | £300–£1,050 |
Real prices, in people's own words
- £150“I paid £150 recently to update my (complicated) will with a solicitor”
- £150“It was very straightforward and cost £150 (we are in England)”
- £300“I paid £250 plus VAT recently to a local solicitor for a new will”
Genuine amounts posted publicly. We publish the price and the quote, never the person.
Why the price varies so much
The biggest driver is how complicated your estate actually is. A single person leaving everything to one or two people needs a fairly short, standard document, while trusts, a business, children from different relationships or property abroad all mean more drafting, more checking and more cost. The type of provider matters just as much. An online template service is cheaper than a will-writing firm, which in turn is usually cheaper than a solicitor, who is regulated by the SRA, carries professional indemnity insurance and can advise properly on inheritance tax and more awkward family situations. Ownership plays a part too: a national will-writing chain or online platform is often built for volume and prices accordingly, while a small local solicitor's practice may charge more per hour but give you continuity, with the same person handling your file from start to finish. Location shifts the figure as well, since firms in London and the South East tend to charge more than those in cheaper parts of the country, partly because their overheads are higher. Whether the quoted price includes storing the will and making future updates changes what you end up paying too, and many people sort a will alongside a power of attorney, with some firms bundling the two for less than buying them apart.
How to pay less
- Match the option to your situation. A simple estate may be fine with an online or fixed-fee will, while a complex one justifies paying more for a solicitor who can spot problems before they become expensive ones.
- Ask for a fixed fee up front and get it in writing, then check separately whether storing the will and any future updates are included or billed on top.
- If you're a couple, ask about mirror wills rather than paying for two standalone wills bought separately, since the overlap in drafting usually brings the pair price down.
- Look into charity will schemes such as Will Aid or Free Wills Month, which cover a basic will in exchange for a donation rather than a set fee.
- Get more than one quote before you commit. Prices for what looks like the same basic will vary between providers, and a quick comparison can save you paying over the odds.
- Sort your will alongside a power of attorney if you're doing wider estate planning, since some firms discount the pair rather than charging for each separately.
Common questions
Do I need a solicitor to write a will?
Not legally. You can write your own or use an online service, and a simple will can be perfectly valid that way. A solicitor earns their fee when things are more involved, such as trusts, a business, children from different relationships or property abroad, where a small mistake can cause big problems for probate later. This is general information, not legal advice.
What is a mirror will and does it really save money?
Mirror wills are two nearly identical wills, usually for a couple, where each person leaves everything to the other and then to the same people afterwards. Because the drafting overlaps so much, providers typically charge less for the pair than for two completely separate wills bought individually. They suit couples whose wishes match closely, but if your circumstances differ a lot, a mirror will may not fit and you'd be better pricing two standalone wills instead.
Are will-writing companies regulated?
Solicitors are regulated by the SRA, but standalone will-writing firms are not covered by the same rules. Many are perfectly competent and belong to voluntary trade bodies, but the protection if something goes wrong is weaker than with a solicitor. Check their credentials, ask about their insurance, and find out what happens to your will and your file if the company closes down.
Does where I live affect what I pay for a will?
Yes. Firms based in London and the South East generally charge more than those elsewhere, largely because their office costs and staff wages are higher. An online service tends to charge the same flat fee regardless of where you live, which is one reason it can work out cheaper if you're in a higher-cost area but don't need face-to-face advice.
Is it cheaper to update an existing will than write a new one?
Usually, yes. Small changes can sometimes be made with a short additional document rather than a full rewrite, and providers often charge less for this than for a will from scratch. If your circumstances have changed a lot, such as a new relationship, children or a house move, a full new will may still be the safer route even though it costs more.
Do I have to pay extra to store my will safely?
Sometimes. Some providers include storage in the price, others charge a separate fee, and some leave it up to you to keep the original document safe yourself. Always ask before you pay whether storage is included, because losing the original can cause real problems for whoever has to deal with your estate later.