How Much Does a Will Cost?

Will writing costs at a glance

The cost of making a will in England and Wales varies widely depending on how you go about it. Here is what independent sources show:

| Method | What it costs | Source | |--------|---------------|--------| | DIY will kit | £17.99 to £34.99 for a printed kit | Lawpack price list | | Will writing firm | £234 to £245 paid on average for a service with a review | Which? survey, May 2025 | | Will writing firm | £275 average quoted for a straightforward will, before VAT | Legal Services Board, 2024 | | Solicitors' firm | £324 average quoted for a straightforward will, before VAT | Legal Services Board, 2024 | | Solicitor or lawyer | £328 paid on average | Which? survey, May 2025 | | More complex will | £350 median quoted, before VAT | Legal Services Board, 2024 |

Prices vary by region, firm size and complexity. The Legal Services Board found London firms charged significantly more for wills. If you are making mirror wills as a couple, ask for one fixed fee for both.

Source: Lawpack, Wills, checked October 2026.

Source: Which?, Why cost shouldn’t be a barrier to writing your will (20 September 2025), checked October 2026.

Source: Legal Services Board, Prices of Individual Consumer Legal Services in England and Wales 2024: Wave 4 Findings Report (June 2025), checked October 2026.

The Legal Services Board also found that fixed fees cost less on average than estimates. They are also less likely to cost more than expected, so ask for a fixed fee.

What affects the price?

Several factors influence how much you'll pay:

• Complexity of your estate: multiple properties, business interests, or trusts will cost more
• Number of beneficiaries: more people to provide for means more detailed drafting
• Mirror wills: couples often get a discount for two wills that mirror each other
• Additional documents: a lasting power of attorney or letter of wishes may cost extra
• Revisions: some providers include amendments; others charge per change

DIY will kits: why we don't recommend them

Will kits from stationery shops or online templates are the cheapest option, but they come with serious risks. If the wording is ambiguous, the signing isn't done correctly, or you miss a legal requirement, your will could be challenged or declared invalid.

Court cases about wills are expensive. In one reported case, the costs of a single one day hearing were about £74,000, against a claim for a £75,000 lump sum. That is far more than the cost of having a will prepared properly.

Source: Find Case Law, Weisz v Weisz & Ors [2019] EWHC 3101 (Fam), paragraphs 5 and 6 (2 October 2019), checked October 2026.

The cheapest will isn't always the best value. A poorly drafted will can cost your family far more than a properly written one.

Online will-writing services

Online services like GetWill offer a middle ground: professional quality at an affordable price. You answer guided questions about your wishes, and a legal professional reviews the document before it's finalised.

This approach works well for most people, especially those with straightforward estates. It's quicker than visiting a solicitor in person, and you can do it from home at a time that suits you.

When to use a solicitor

A face-to-face solicitor is worth the extra cost if you have:

• A complex family situation (blended families, estranged relatives)
• Business assets that need careful succession planning
• Property abroad
• A large estate where tax planning is critical
• Concerns about someone challenging your will

Even in these cases, many online services can handle complexity, so it's worth checking before assuming you need to visit a solicitor's office.

Free will schemes

Some charities run Free Wills Month campaigns, usually in March and October. Participating solicitors prepare a basic will without charge, in the hope that you leave a gift to charity. This can be a good option, though availability is limited and the solicitors may not specialise in wills.

The real cost of not having a will

The most expensive will is the one you never make. Without a will:

• The intestacy rules decide who inherits, which may not reflect your wishes
• Your family faces a longer, more expensive administration process
• Disputes between relatives can reach court, where guideline rates for an experienced solicitor are £288 to £579 an hour
• You miss out on legitimate tax-saving opportunities

A will is one of the best-value investments you can make for your family's future. A professionally prepared will is usually a one-off cost, and the peace of mind lasts.

Source: GOV.UK, Solicitors’ guideline hourly rates (Rates in effect from 1 January 2026), checked October 2026.