How Much Does a Will Cost in the UK? (2026 Guide)
Writing a will is one of the most important things you can do, yet cost confusion stops many people from getting it done. This 2026 guide cuts through the noise: exactly what you pay, what you get, and which option is right for your situation.
At-a-glance UK will pricing (2026)
- DIY will kit (WillSafe UK):£39.99 single / £59.99 mirror
- Online will service:£90 – £200
- High-street solicitor:£200 – £500 single / £300 – £750 mirror
- London solicitor:£400 – £1,500+ single
- Free Wills Month / Will Aid:£0 + suggested charity donation (~£100)
- Complex will (trusts/IHT):£1,000 – £3,000+
Option 1: DIY will kit (£39.99 – £59.99)
A DIY will kit is a professionally drafted template plus an instruction guide. You fill it in yourself, sign it with two witnesses, and store it safely. The WillSafe UK Single Will Kit is £39.99; the Mirror Wills Kit for couples is £59.99.
Best for: Straightforward estates where your wishes are clear and you do not need tailored legal advice. Homeowners, parents, renters, cohabiting couples and singles with one or two beneficiaries all fit comfortably into this bracket.
Not right for: Business owners, people with foreign property, blended families where disputes are possible, anyone wanting to use trusts for inheritance tax mitigation, or anyone wanting to disinherit a spouse, child or dependant.
Option 2: Online will-writing service (£90 – £200)
Online services ask you questions and auto-generate a will document. Some include a solicitor review; others are fully self-serve. They sit between a DIY kit and a solicitor on price but often offer less flexibility than a Word template.
Best for: People who want a bit more hand-holding than a DIY kit, don't want to open a Word document, and are happy with a templated structure.
Option 3: Solicitor (£200 – £1,500+)
A solicitor drafts a bespoke will after meeting you and asking about your circumstances. They advise on inheritance tax, trusts, family dynamics and anything else relevant. This is the right option if your estate is complex or you want professional liability behind the drafting.
Watch out for: Solicitor fees vary enormously by location and firm. Always get a written fixed-fee quote upfront. Check whether the solicitor wants to be named as an executor (which can cost the estate 1-5% when you die) and whether there are ongoing storage or retainer fees.
Option 4: Free wills schemes
Free Wills Month (March and October) offers over-55s a free basic will in exchange for a suggested charity donation. Will Aid (November) does the same in exchange for a suggested donation (£100 single / £180 mirror). Octopus Legacy and similar charities also offer free wills in some circumstances.
Free wills are restricted to straightforward estates, have age eligibility (typically 55+ or 18+ depending on scheme), and depend on participating solicitors having availability. They are a great option if you meet the criteria but are not always accessible on your timeline.
Hidden costs to watch for
- •Professional executor fees. If a solicitor is named as executor, they typically charge 1-5% of the estate value when you die. On a £500,000 estate, that is £5,000 to £25,000.
- •Storage fees. Some firms charge £25-£50 per year to store your will. Over 30 years, that is up to £1,500.
- •Update fees. Each codicil or rewrite can cost £100-£300 with a solicitor. A DIY codicil template is £19.99.
- •Probate tie-ins. "Free" wills often require the firm to handle probate, which can cost £2,000-£10,000. Probate is a reserved legal activity, so you or a cheaper specialist can often handle it yourselves.
Which option is right for you?
Choose a DIY kit if: your estate is straightforward, you are comfortable filling in a template, and you want the lowest price with no ongoing costs.
Choose a solicitor if: you have a business, foreign property, a blended family with potential disputes, want trusts for IHT planning, or need tailored advice about your specific circumstances.
Choose a free scheme if: you are over 55, have a straightforward estate, can wait for Free Wills Month or Will Aid, and are happy to donate to charity.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a basic will cost in the UK in 2026?+
In 2026, a basic single will in the UK typically costs between £0 (free Will Aid-style services, with limits) and £500, depending on how you make it. A DIY will kit from WillSafe UK is £39.99. Online will-writing services charge £90 to £200. High-street solicitors charge £200 to £500 for a simple will; London firms often charge £400 to £750.
Are free wills really free?+
Sometimes. Free Wills Month (March and October) and Will Aid (November) give you a basic will drafted by a participating solicitor in exchange for a suggested charity donation (typically £100 for a single will or £180 for mirror wills). Free services usually have limits: they only cover straightforward wills, availability is restricted to over-55s or over-60s, and you cannot always pick the solicitor. If your estate is complex or you want flexibility, a paid option is usually better.
How much do mirror wills cost for couples?+
Mirror wills for couples typically cost £300 to £750 from a solicitor. Online services charge £140 to £350. A WillSafe UK Mirror Wills Kit is £59.99, or £119.99 for the Couples Essentials Bundle which also includes LPA guidance, Letter of Wishes, Funeral Wishes Planner, Digital Legacy Inventory and Executor Guide.
Why are solicitor will fees so variable?+
Solicitor fees reflect their hourly rate, location, experience, and the complexity of your estate. A senior partner at a London firm may charge £400 per hour; a high-street solicitor in a smaller town may charge £150 per hour. A straightforward will takes 2 to 4 hours, so fees range from £300 to £1,500 or more. Always ask for a fixed-fee quote in writing before instructing a solicitor.
Is a cheap will just as valid as an expensive one?+
Yes, provided it meets the requirements of section 9 of the Wills Act 1837. A will is valid if the testator is 18+, has mental capacity, the will is in writing, and it is signed in the presence of two independent witnesses who both also sign. The price you pay does not affect legal validity. What price affects is the tailoring, the advice, and sometimes the accuracy.
What hidden costs should I watch out for?+
Watch for: (1) solicitors named as executors who charge fees from the estate (often 1-5% of the estate value, which can be tens of thousands of pounds); (2) 'free' wills that require you to use the firm for probate, which can cost £2,000 to £10,000; (3) ongoing 'storage fees' of £25-£50 per year; (4) charges for updates or codicils. A DIY kit has no hidden fees.
Can I write a will for free?+
You can technically draft a will yourself on a piece of paper for £0, but you risk ambiguity, missing clauses, or invalidating it through incorrect signing. The Wills Act 1837 does not require any particular format or template, but the risk of a homemade will being contested or failing is significantly higher than using a professionally drafted template. A £39.99 DIY kit dramatically reduces that risk.
The lowest-cost way to do it properly
WillSafe UK DIY will kits are drafted in accordance with the Wills Act 1837, come with step-by-step signing instructions, and cost less than a takeaway for two. Download in 60 seconds, finish in an afternoon.
Self-help template, not legal advice. Pricing figures above are general market observations as at April 2026 and may change. WillSafe UK is a trading name of WSC Group Ltd. For complex estates, speak to a qualified solicitor.