Writing a Will is one of the most important things you can do for your family. But with costs ranging from nothing to over £500, it's not always clear what you should be paying — or why.
This guide breaks down every option available in the UK in 2026, what's included at each price point, and the hidden trade-offs you need to know about before you decide.
| Option | Typical Cost | Legally Valid? | Reviewed by Expert? |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY template (online) | Free–£20 | If done correctly | ❌ No |
| Will-writing software | £15–£40 | If done correctly | ❌ No |
| Online Will service (Clear Legacy) | From £69 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Other online Will services | £90–£160 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Usually |
| High street solicitor | £150–£350 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Complex estate / solicitor | £500–£1,500+ | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Free Will templates are widely available online. Some charities also offer free Will-writing services, typically in September during "Free Wills Month".
The risk: A Will is only legally valid if it complies precisely with the Wills Act 1837. It must be signed in the presence of two independent witnesses who both sign simultaneously. Many DIY Wills are inadvertently invalidated by small errors — the wrong witnesses, unclear phrasing, or missing clauses.
If your DIY Will is successfully challenged after your death, your estate may be distributed under the intestacy rules — not according to your wishes.
Online Will services have transformed the market. For most people with straightforward estates, they offer the same legal validity as a solicitor at a fraction of the cost.
Prices vary significantly between providers:
The key question when comparing online services is whether a qualified estate planner reviews your completed Will before it is issued. At Clear Legacy, every Will is reviewed by a qualified estate planner before dispatch — included in the fixed fee.
A high street solicitor will typically charge £150–£350 for a simple single Will, and £250–£600 for Mirror Wills for a couple. For complex estates — those involving business assets, overseas property or multiple trusts — costs can exceed £1,500.
Solicitors bill by the hour. A meeting, drafting time, and revisions can quickly accumulate. You also pay for the firm's premises, support staff and professional indemnity insurance.
When a solicitor makes sense: Very complex estates, disputes between potential beneficiaries, business succession planning involving multiple shareholders, or where overseas assets are involved.
Regardless of how you have your Will prepared, a properly drafted Will should cover:
Some providers charge for things that should be included. Watch out for:
Reviewed by a qualified estate planner. Fixed fee. Ready within 24 hours.
Start Your Will TodayNo. Legal validity depends on correct execution (signature and witnessing), not on what you paid. A £69 Will from Clear Legacy carries the same legal force as one drafted by a £350/hour solicitor — provided it is correctly signed.
You can, but it carries significant risk. Research from Which? found that 1 in 4 DIY Wills contains errors that could render them invalid or subject to challenge. For most people, a professionally reviewed Will at £69 represents a very small price for complete peace of mind.
Review your Will every three to five years, or following any major life change: marriage, divorce, birth of a child or grandchild, death of a beneficiary or executor, significant change in assets, or moving home.
Yes. Marriage automatically revokes a previously made Will in England and Wales. If you marry and do not make a new Will, you will die intestate — regardless of what your old Will said.