Cost Of A Will In Uk

So, my mate Dave—you know the type—spent three hours on the phone last week, comparing broadband deals to save a fiver a month. Then, he casually mentioned he’d been putting off writing a will for five years because he thought it would “cost a bomb.” I nearly choked on my tea. The irony almost killed me, and he didn’t even have a will yet to pass on his beloved kettle.

It got me thinking: how much does a will actually cost in the UK? Spoiler alert: it’s way less than the price of a takeaway for two, and definitely cheaper than the therapy your family will need if you don’t have one. Let’s dig into the numbers, shall we? (Grab a cuppa—this is painless, I promise.)

The DIY route: cheap, but is it cheerful?

If you’re feeling brave and your life is simple—single, no kids, no secret mansions in Monaco—you can buy a will-writing kit online for as little as £10 to £30. You fill in the blanks, sign it in front of two witnesses, and boom: you’ve got a will. Sorted, right?

Well, yes—if you don’t screw it up. One wrong signature, one witness who’s a beneficiary, and your will becomes a very expensive piece of recycled paper. As my solicitor friend likes to say: “A DIY will is like performing your own dentistry—technically possible, but you’ll probably bite your tongue off.”

Still, for many people, a £15 kit from WHSmith works perfectly. Just make sure you read every instruction twice and don’t get creative with the witnessing rules. The law is a stickler for detail there.

The middle ground: solicitors and will-writing services

Most people end up here, and honestly, it’s the sweet spot. A standard single will from a high street solicitor costs around £150 to £300. A mirror will for couples (where you basically copy each other’s wishes) bumps up to about £200 to £400. Not exactly Lamborghini money, is it?

But here’s where it gets fun: you can also use online will-writing platforms that are supervised by solicitors. Think Co-op Legal Services or Farewill. Those range from £80 to £150 for a single will. You answer an online quiz, and a real lawyer checks it before you sign. It’s like having a professional ghost-write your last chapter.

I’d recommend this route if you have a moderately messy situation—like you want to leave your vintage guitar to your brother but your dog to your sister. Just don’t forget the dog. (Seriously, pets in wills are a whole other rabbit hole.)

The posh option: bespoke solicitors with all the bells

Got a blended family? A business? A holiday home in Spain? Then you might need a fully bespoke will from a private client solicitor. Prices here start at £400 and can easily hit £1,000+. But you get what you pay for: tax planning, trust advice, and someone to hold your hand through the “who gets the jewellery” drama.

This is also where you’d pay for a lasting power of attorney alongside your will—which is like buying the extended warranty for your estate. It’s extra, but life gets awkward without it. Imagine your family having to beg a court to manage your bills if you lose mental capacity. No thanks.

And listen, if you have kids under 18, you absolutely need to name guardians in your will. That’s non-negotiable. Cost? Still part of the package. Your children are worth the price of a nice handbag, aren’t they?

The hidden costs nobody talks about

Here’s the sneaky bit: the cost of the will isn’t the whole story. You might also need to pay for storage (about £20–£50 one-off) so your will doesn’t get eaten by a dog or thrown in the recycling. And if your will is complex, you’ll want a solicitor to store it—some even offer free safe custody if you draft it with them.

Then there’s the cost of changing your will. Spoiler: life happens. You get married, divorced, have a row with your sister, or discover a long-lost twin. Changing a will costs a similar amount to making a new one—so don’t be stingy upfront. Get a decent will that’s easy to update.

Oh, and probate—that’s the legal process of sorting your estate after you die. The will itself doesn’t include probate fees. Those start at £300 for a solicitor or £2 for a DIY application. Most people pay a solicitor, because dealing with HMRC forms is about as fun as a root canal.

So, is it worth it? (Spoiler: yes, obviously)

Let’s break it down: a will costs roughly the same as a decent weekend away. Without one, you’re leaving your family a bureaucratic nightmare that could take months to unravel. They’ll have to deal with intestacy rules, which basically means the government decides who gets your stuff. Auntie Mabel might end up with your vinyl collection instead of your best friend.

And honestly? The average cost of dying in the UK is now over £9,000. A £200 will is 2% of that. It’s the cheapest insurance policy you’ll ever buy. Plus, you get the warm fuzzy feeling of knowing your cat won’t be rehomed against your wishes. (Yes, you can leave money for cat care. I’m not kidding.)

So, do what Dave didn’t: book a session, spend the money, and cross “write a will” off your to-do list. Your future self—and your relatives—will thank you. And if you still think it’s too expensive, just remember: you’re paying for peace of mind, not just a piece of paper. Now go compare that broadband deal, Dave—you’ve got bigger fish to fry.