Average Will Costs in the UK (2026)
| Method | Single will | Mirror wills (couple) | Time to complete |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY will template | £10–£30 | £20–£50 | Variable |
| Charity will scheme | ~£100 donation | ~£180 donation | Limited slots |
| Online will (ClearLegacy) | £69 fixed | £99 fixed | 30 min + 24 hr delivery |
| Other online services | £90–£199 | £150–£299 | 30–60 minutes |
| Traditional will writer | £150–£300 | £250–£500 | 1–2 weeks |
| High street solicitor | £300–£500 | £500–£1,000 | 1–3 weeks |
| Specialist solicitor (trusts, business) | £500–£2,000+ | £1,000–£3,000+ | 2–6 weeks |
Why the Price Range Is So Wide
The same finished legal document — a will compliant with the Wills Act 1837 — can cost £69 or £500. The difference reflects how the service is delivered, not the quality of the document.
Delivery model
An online service automates the questionnaire and drafting, then has a compliance team review the output. A solicitor charges for face-to-face appointments, time spent typing your details into their system, and office overheads. For a standard UK estate the finished documents are functionally identical.
Complexity of the estate
Standard estates (a home, savings, pensions, family beneficiaries) are well served by online services and fixed-fee solicitors. Complex estates that involve trusts, business succession, overseas property or expected challenges genuinely cost more because they need bespoke drafting and specialist advice.
Add-on services
Headline prices often hide ongoing fees that quietly inflate the total cost of a will:
- Storage fees — £20–£40 per year
- Amendment fees — £50–£200 per change after delivery
- Subscription wills — £15–£25 per month
- Trust corporation appointments — percentage-based fees taken from the estate
Compare lifetime cost, not headline price. A "free" will with a £40 annual storage fee costs more than a £69 fixed-fee will after two years.
Cost Examples by Situation
Single person, straightforward estate
One home, savings, pensions, family beneficiaries.
- Online will: £69
- Solicitor: £300–£500
- Sensible choice: Online — no quality difference for this case.
Married couple with kids and a home
Two adults, joint home, pensions, beneficiaries are each other and then their children.
- Mirror wills online: £99
- Solicitor mirror wills: £500–£1,000
- Sensible choice: Online — see our mirror wills guide.
Blended family wanting to ring-fence stepchildren's inheritance
Second marriage, children from prior relationships on each side, want to make sure both sets of children inherit if the survivor remarries.
- Online will: Not appropriate — needs a life-interest trust
- Specialist solicitor: £800–£2,000
- Sensible choice: Solicitor — the trust drafting is genuinely worth paying for.
Business owner with succession needs
Limited company, business property, partners or shareholders to plan for.
- Online will: Not appropriate
- Specialist solicitor: £1,000–£3,000+
- Sensible choice: Solicitor with business succession expertise.
How to Reduce the Cost of Your Will
- Use a fixed-fee online service for a standard estate. ClearLegacy single £69, mirror £99.
- Buy as a couple. Mirror wills are cheaper than two singles bought separately.
- Avoid annual storage fees. Keep the original at home in a fireproof box, or with your executor.
- Skip add-on trusts you do not need. Discretionary trusts are oversold to ordinary estates.
- Watch for charity will schemes if your timing fits. Will Aid runs every November.
- Don't pay solicitor rates for solicitor convenience. Pay them for the genuine specialist work you actually need.
Are Free Wills Any Good?
Charity will schemes (Will Aid in November, Free Wills Month in March and October, plus year-round schemes from individual charities) offer free or donation-only wills drafted by participating solicitors. Quality is good, but slots are limited.
Free DIY templates from supermarkets, banks and consumer sites are technically free but are the most common source of invalid wills at probate. Common failures include missing residuary clauses, beneficiary witnesses, and improper signing.
A Will That Costs Less Than a Tank of Fuel — £69
Fixed fee. No subscription. Delivered within 24 hours.
Start My Will — £69 →Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a will cost in the UK in 2026?
£10–£30 DIY, £69–£199 online, £300–£500 high street solicitor (single), £500–£1,000 (couple), £500–£2,000+ for complex specialist work. See cost of making a will for the full breakdown.
What factors affect the cost of a will?
Delivery model (online vs solicitor), complexity of the estate, fixed-fee vs hourly billing, and add-on charges such as storage and amendment fees.
How can I reduce the cost of my will?
Use a fixed-fee online will writing service, share mirror wills as a couple, avoid annual storage fees, and skip add-on trusts you do not need.
Is a free will any good?
Charity will schemes are good quality but limited. Free DIY templates are error-prone and the most common source of invalid wills at probate.
Why are solicitor wills more expensive?
Solicitor pricing covers face-to-face appointments, regulated advice, drafting time, and overheads. For straightforward UK estates the finished document is the same as one drafted by an online service.