Will Kit vs Solicitor Cost UK 2026 — Which Is Right for You?
A DIY will kit costs £39.99. A high-street solicitor charges £300 to £600. But price is not the only factor. This guide gives you an honest, side-by-side comparison so you can decide which option is right for your circumstances.
The real cost comparison
| Option | Single will | Mirror wills | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY will kit (e.g. WHSmith) | £15 to £40 | £25 to £50 | Paper form, basic instructions, no guidance notes |
| Online will service | £90 to £200 | £150 to £350 | Guided questionnaire, generated document, basic support |
| High-street solicitor | £300 to £600 | £400 to £750 | Face-to-face advice, bespoke drafting, PII cover, will storage |
| WillSafe UK | £39.99 | £59.99 | Editable DOCX + PDF template, detailed guidance notes, attestation clause, 14-day money-back guarantee |
| WillSafe Essentials Bundle | £89.99 | Will + Letter of Wishes + Funeral Wishes + Digital Assets + Executor Guide | |
What you get with a solicitor
A solicitor provides personalised legal advice tailored to your specific circumstances. Here is what your fee pays for:
- ✓Bespoke drafting — the will is written specifically for you after a detailed consultation
- ✓Regulated service — SRA-regulated solicitors must meet professional standards and continuing competence requirements
- ✓Professional indemnity insurance — if a solicitor makes an error, their PII covers the loss
- ✓Trust and tax planning — a solicitor can draft trusts and advise on IHT mitigation
- ✓Will storage — many firms offer free or low-cost storage in their strongroom
- ✓Capacity evidence — the solicitor's file note provides evidence that you had mental capacity when the will was signed, which matters if the will is challenged
What you get with WillSafe UK
WillSafe UK provides high-quality self-help templates with comprehensive guidance. Our will kits include:
- ✓Same legal validity — a will is a will. Ours comply with the Wills Act 1837 signing requirements
- ✓Editable DOCX template — fill in your details and print. Revise any time at no extra cost
- ✓Detailed guidance notes — plain-English explanations of every clause so you understand what you are signing
- ✓Proper attestation clause — the witnessing clause that confirms the will was correctly signed
- ✓Instant download — no appointments, no waiting. Complete your will this afternoon
- ✓14-day money-back guarantee — if our kit does not meet your needs, you get a full refund
When a solicitor IS worth the money
We believe in being honest. Some situations genuinely need a solicitor, and no template — however good — can substitute for tailored legal advice:
- •Complex estates — your estate is above the IHT threshold (£325,000 nil-rate band, or £500,000 with RNRB) and you want tax-planning structures
- •IHT planning — you need nil-rate band trusts, gifts with reservation advice, or potentially exempt transfer planning
- •Overseas assets — you own property abroad. Different countries have different succession laws, and some have forced heirship rules
- •Business owners — you own a limited company, partnership, or farm. Your will needs to work with shareholders' agreements, partnership deeds, and APR/BPR reliefs
- •Blended families — children from previous relationships plus a current spouse creates competing interests that need careful trust drafting
- •Trusts — discretionary trusts, life interest trusts, or disabled person's trusts must be drafted precisely to work as intended
When a DIY will kit is perfectly fine
A DIY will kit works perfectly for the majority of adults in England and Wales with a straightforward estate:
- ✓You are a married couple or single person with clear beneficiaries
- ✓Your assets are mainly a home, savings, pension, and personal belongings
- ✓You own a single property in England or Wales
- ✓You know exactly who should inherit and there are no likely disputes
- ✓You do not need trusts, IHT planning, or business succession advice
- ✓Your family situation is clear — no blended families with potential competing claims
5 things your solicitor does that a good template already covers
People often assume a solicitor-drafted will contains something a template cannot. In reality, for a straightforward will, the content is the same:
1. Attestation clause
The clause confirming the will was signed correctly in the presence of two witnesses. Every WillSafe kit includes a proper attestation clause that satisfies section 9 of the Wills Act 1837.
2. Witness requirements
Step-by-step witness signing instructions are included in every kit. Two independent witnesses aged 18+ who are not beneficiaries must be present when you sign. Our guidance walks you through the entire signing ceremony.
3. Revocation clause
Every will should begin by revoking all previous wills and codicils. This standard opening clause is included in all our templates, ensuring your new will cleanly replaces any earlier documents.
4. Residuary estate clause
The “catch-all” clause that covers everything not specifically mentioned in the will. Without it, unlisted assets could pass under the intestacy rules. Our templates include a comprehensive residuary estate clause.
5. Executor appointment
Naming executors (and substitutes) to administer your estate. Our templates include space for primary and substitute executors with guidance on choosing the right people.
Frequently asked questions
Is a will kit as legally valid as a solicitor-drafted will?+
Yes. Under the Wills Act 1837, a will is valid if the testator is 18 or over, has mental capacity, the will is in writing, and it is signed in the presence of two independent witnesses who also sign. How the will was created — whether by a solicitor, an online service, or a DIY template — does not affect its legal validity in England and Wales.
How much does a will cost at a solicitor in the UK in 2026?+
A straightforward single will typically costs £200 to £500 at a high-street solicitor. Mirror wills for couples usually cost £300 to £750. Complex wills involving trusts, business assets, or IHT planning can cost £1,000 to £3,000 or more. London firms tend to charge at the higher end. By comparison, WillSafe UK’s Single Will Kit costs £39.99.
What is the difference between a will kit and an online will service?+
An online will service guides you through questions and generates a will document, typically costing £90 to £200. A will kit provides a professionally drafted template with detailed guidance notes that you complete yourself, usually at a lower price (£39.99 at WillSafe UK). Both produce a legally valid document for straightforward estates. Neither provides personalised legal advice.
Can I update a will I made with a will kit?+
Yes. You can update your will at any time by either writing a new will (which automatically revokes the old one) or adding a codicil (a formal amendment). Our will kits are editable DOCX templates, so you can revise and reprint as needed. For significant life changes — marriage, divorce, children, property purchases — we recommend writing a new will rather than using a codicil.
Does WillSafe UK offer a money-back guarantee?+
Yes. We offer a 14-day money-back guarantee on all digital products. If our will kit does not meet your needs, contact us within 14 days for a full refund. No questions asked.
Ready to write your will?
Our will kits are drafted in accordance with the Wills Act 1837 and include step-by-step signing and witnessing instructions. Download instantly, complete in an afternoon, and get on with your life. For complex estates, we recommend speaking to a solicitor.
Self-help information only. WillSafe UK is a trading name of WSC Group Ltd. We are not solicitors and we do not provide legal advice. This guide is for general informational purposes only and covers the law in England & Wales. Will-writing is not a reserved legal activity under the Legal Services Act 2007. For complex estates, blended families, business assets or foreign property, please speak to a qualified solicitor. See our full disclaimer.