UK adults planning a will want to understand what it costs and what drives the price. This guide explains the cost of will writing in England and Wales: the routes available, why solicitor fees vary, where free and low-cost options sit, and how regulation differs between providers. It cites Money Helper, the Law Society, and the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Kael Tripton is an editorial publisher and not a regulated legal services provider. This article is information only and is not legal advice. Anyone choosing how to make a will should consult an SRA-authorised solicitor or Citizens Advice for case-specific guidance.
Key Facts
- There is no government fee to make a will, because a will is not registered during the testator's lifetime (Money Helper, accessed June 2026).
- Solicitor and will-writer fees are set by each provider, not fixed by statute, and vary with complexity (Money Helper, accessed June 2026).
- Solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, while standalone will-writers may not be regulated (Solicitors Regulation Authority, accessed June 2026).
- Some charity schemes let people make a will in exchange for a donation at certain times of year (Money Helper, accessed June 2026).
- A simple will costs less than one involving trusts, business assets, or overseas property (Money Helper, accessed June 2026).
- Optional secure storage of the original will can carry a separate annual or one-off charge (Money Helper, accessed June 2026).
What drives the cost of a will
The cost of writing a will is not set by the government. Unlike a lasting power of attorney, which carries a fixed Office of the Public Guardian fee, a will involves no registration fee during the testator's lifetime, so the only cost is for any help with drafting and storage (Money Helper, accessed June 2026). The price therefore depends almost entirely on the route chosen and the complexity of the estate.
Complexity is the main driver. A straightforward will leaving everything to a spouse and then to children sits at the lower end. Cost rises where the will needs trusts, deals with business assets, includes property abroad, provides for a blended family, or is designed to manage an inheritance tax liability. Each of these adds drafting work and the need for advice, which is reflected in the fee. Understanding where an estate sits on that scale helps a person judge what they are likely to pay.
The main routes and what they involve
There are several routes, each with a different cost and level of support. Using a solicitor is the most comprehensive: solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, carry professional indemnity insurance, and can advise on tax and complex structures (Solicitors Regulation Authority, accessed June 2026). A dedicated will-writing service can be cheaper, but standalone will-writers are not always regulated in the way solicitors are, so checking their credentials and insurance matters (Money Helper, accessed June 2026).
A do-it-yourself will, using a template or an online tool, is the lowest-cost route and can be valid if the Wills Act 1837 rules are followed, but it carries the most risk of error. Some charities run schemes at particular times of year, where a solicitor prepares a will in exchange for a donation to the charity rather than a standard fee (Money Helper, accessed June 2026). Each route trades cost against the amount of professional support and protection involved.
Costs beyond the drafting fee
The drafting fee is not always the only cost. Storing the original will securely, whether with a solicitor, a bank, or a dedicated storage service, can carry a separate charge, sometimes annual (Money Helper, accessed June 2026). Keeping the original safe matters because probate generally requires it, not a copy.
Updating a will also has a cost. Changes can be made by a codicil for a smaller fee, or by a new will, depending on the extent of the change. Over a lifetime, several updates may be needed as circumstances change. After death, the estate faces the separate probate fee, which is not part of the cost of writing the will but is part of the wider cost of passing on an estate. Budgeting for the will, future updates, storage, and eventual probate gives a fuller picture than the drafting fee alone.
Common cost mistakes
A frequent mistake is choosing the cheapest route without considering the risk. A very low-cost or DIY will that contains an error can cost the estate far more after death, through disputes, a partial intestacy, or extra legal work, than a properly drafted will would have cost at the outset (Money Helper, accessed June 2026). The cheapest option is not always the least expensive once the consequences are counted.
Another is assuming all will-writers offer the same protection. Because standalone will-writing is not regulated in the same way as solicitors, the level of redress if something goes wrong can differ (Solicitors Regulation Authority, accessed June 2026). Checking whether a provider is regulated, insured, and a member of a recognised body is part of comparing cost fairly. Failing to budget for storage and future updates is a third common oversight.
How this connects to wills and probate
The cost of writing a will is one part of the wider cost of planning ahead. Many people weigh it alongside the cost of a lasting power of attorney, since the two documents are often made together and a single provider handling both may charge less than two separate pieces of work. The will governs the estate after death, while the LPA covers decisions during life.
The route chosen also links to the level of risk explored in the guide to DIY wills and their rules. A lower-cost route saves money upfront but shifts more responsibility onto the testator to get the will drafting and witnessing right. After death, whatever route was used, the executors face the separate probate process, so the cost of the will is only the first stage of the overall journey.
When to use a solicitor versus doing it yourself
For a simple estate and clear wishes, a lower-cost route such as a reputable will-writing service or a recognised template can produce a valid will, provided the signing and witnessing rules are followed exactly (Money Helper, accessed June 2026). This keeps the cost down where the situation is straightforward.
Paying a solicitor becomes more justified as complexity and value rise. Trusts, business interests, overseas assets, blended families, or a likely inheritance tax bill all raise the cost of an error that only surfaces after death. A solicitor's fee buys regulated advice, insurance, and a reduced risk of the will failing or being challenged. The Law Society and the Solicitors Regulation Authority maintain registers of authorised solicitors, and fees should be confirmed in advance (lawsociety.org.uk and sra.org.uk, accessed June 2026). The decision rests on the estate's complexity and the cost of getting it wrong.
FAQ: will writing cost in the UK
Is there a government fee for making a will?
No. A will is not registered during the testator's lifetime, so there is no government fee to make one (Money Helper, accessed June 2026). The only costs are any professional drafting fee, optional secure storage, and later the separate probate fee after death. This differs from a lasting power of attorney, which carries a fixed Office of the Public Guardian registration fee.
Why do solicitor fees for wills vary so much?
Will-writing fees are set by each provider rather than by statute, and they reflect the complexity of the estate (Money Helper, accessed June 2026). A simple will costs less than one involving trusts, business assets, overseas property, or inheritance tax planning. Fees also vary between providers and regions, so it is worth confirming the price and what it includes before instructing anyone.
Are will-writers regulated like solicitors?
Not always. Solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and carry professional indemnity insurance, while standalone will-writers may not be regulated in the same way (Solicitors Regulation Authority, accessed June 2026). This affects the redress available if something goes wrong. Checking whether a provider is regulated, insured, and a member of a recognised body helps compare options fairly.
Can I make a will for free?
A do-it-yourself will using a template can be valid at no drafting cost if the Wills Act 1837 rules are followed, though it carries more risk of error. Some charities also run schemes where a solicitor prepares a will in exchange for a donation at certain times of year (Money Helper, accessed June 2026). Free routes suit simple estates more than complex ones.
Does it cost extra to store or update a will?
It can. Secure storage of the original will, with a solicitor, bank, or storage service, may carry a separate charge (Money Helper, accessed June 2026). Updating a will costs a smaller fee for a codicil or a larger one for a new will, depending on the change. Budgeting for storage and future updates gives a fuller picture than the initial drafting fee alone.
