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 the right choice 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. The real prices below cover the range 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 for anything complicated.
- Couples often take mirror wills, two matching wills, which usually costs less as a pair than two entirely separate ones.
- Trusts, business assets, blended families or overseas property push the price up because the drafting is more involved.
- Will-writing companies are not regulated the way solicitors are, so check who is doing the work and whether they are insured.
- Free and low-cost options exist, such as charity will schemes at certain times of year, if your affairs are simple.
What people actually paid
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.
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 main driver is how complicated your estate is. A single person leaving everything to one or two people needs a simple document, while trusts, a business, children from different relationships or property abroad all mean more drafting and more cost. The provider matters too, since an online template is cheaper than a will-writing firm, which is in turn cheaper than a solicitor who is regulated by the SRA and can advise on inheritance tax. Whether the price includes storing the will and making future updates changes the figure as well. Many people sort a will alongside a power of attorney, and some firms bundle the two, which affects what you end up paying overall.
How to pay less
- Match the option to your situation, since a simple estate may be fine with an online or fixed-fee will while a complex one justifies a solicitor.
- Ask for a fixed fee and check whether storing the will and future updates are included or charged separately.
- If you are a couple, ask about mirror wills rather than paying for two standalone wills.
- Look into charity will schemes such as Will Aid or Free Wills Month, which cover a basic will in return for a donation.
- Sort your will alongside a power of attorney if you are estate planning, as some firms offer the two together for less.
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 is worth it 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?
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, they normally cost less as a pair than two completely separate wills. They suit couples whose wishes match closely.
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 good and belong to voluntary bodies, but the protection if something goes wrong is weaker. Check their credentials, their insurance and what happens to your will if the company closes down.