Making a will is one of the most important steps you can take to make sure your wishes are respected and your loved ones are cared for after you die. But how much does it cost to make a will? That depends on several factors, including the type of will you need, the complexity of your estate, and who you choose to prepare the will.

Let’s explore these costs and considerations in detail.

Check Which Will Is Right for You

The first step is determining the type of will that suits your circumstances. Below are the most common types:

Single Will

A single will is designed for one person and outlines how their assets should be distributed. This is suitable for individuals with straightforward wishes or estates.  Such wills are usually the cheapest due to their simplicity.

Mirror Wills

Mirror wills are created for couples, often spouses or partners, with similar wishes. For instance, each partner might leave everything to the other, and then to children or other beneficiaries.  Generally speaking, the terms of each will are identical to the terms of the other – they ‘mirror’ each other.  Like many providers we offer a discount for couples who ask us to create mirror wills for them.

Trust Wills

Trust wills are more complex and involve setting up a trust to manage assets. These are ideal for protecting assets for young beneficiaries (e.g. children), providing for vulnerable individuals, or managing business interests. However, the legal complexity this option brings with it means experts must carefully think through the will, attracting higher fees to cover their time.  

Complexity and Value of Your Estate

The cost of making a will also vary depending on the complexity of your estate. Factors include:

• Simple estates: Few assets and straightforward instructions often result in lower costs.
• Complex estates: Large estates, multiple properties, international assets, or business interests can increase the cost.
• Inheritance tax planning: If your estate is subject to inheritance tax, additional advice may be required, adding to the expense.

Who Will Make Your Will?

The cost also depends on whether you opt for a DIY approach or professional services.

“Homemade” Wills

DIY will kits are the cheapest option. However, you get what you pay for.  They come with considerable risks including:

• Errors in drafting may render the will invalid.
• Legal formalities might be missed.
• A one-size-fits-all approach means the will might not be appropriate to your circumstances.

Unsurprisingly, we advise clients to steer clear of this option.  In addition, these sorts of ‘off the shelf’ wills do not cover more complex situations.

Instruct a Will Writer

Will writers typically charge between £100-£200. While they can provide tailored advice, not all will writers are legally qualified or regulated.  They may miss some of the legal implications of your circumstances introducing risk to your arrangements. If you decide to use a will writer,  ensure they belong to a recognised organisation like the Institute of Professional Will Writers (IPW).

Making a will with a Solicitor

We believe that instructing a solicitor is the most reliable option.  Solicitors can offer expertise and protection.

Our solicitors, like many others, provide a comprehensive service, including:

• Legal advice and guidance to ensure your wishes are achievable.
• Assessment of individual circumstances to address specific needs.
• Drafting and preparation of documents using our extensive experience and expertise.
• Guidance on execution of will and formalities to ensure legal compliance.  This makes sure your will is legally valid and binding (this is a particular risk for ‘DIY’ Wills).
• Safekeeping of documents for peace of mind.
• Updates and amendments as your circumstances change.
• Estate administration and probate support if required.

When you instruct a solicitor, you also benefit from the profession’s regulated status.  All practicing solicitors are overseen by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) meaning they must meet certain standards.  If something goes wrong, you can turn to the Legal Ombudsman for redress.  Finally, all solicitors must have in place professional indemnity insurance.  This means if a mistake is made, an insurer can be asked to step in to make things right.

How Much Does It Cost to Make a Will with a Solicitor?

As you’ll appreciate from the above, the cost of making a will with a solicitor will depend on your circumstances.

As a rough guide, we charge £395 to prepare your will if your requirements are straightforward.  We’ll ask you to complete a short online questionnaire and use your answers to prepare your will.  A solicitor will then check over your will.  If needed, they might give you a quick call to double check the details.  We’ll then send you your will to sign.

A ‘mirror will’ based on the above costs £695.

If your circumstances are more complicated, we can help you make a will for £695.  We will send you a short questionnaire before having a call with you to talk through your circumstances and suggest how to write your will.  If you need to include business assets or incorporate a trust into your will, we’ll charge an additional £300.

A ‘mirror will’ based on the above costs £1195.

Our prices include VAT.

Additional Services to Consider

As well as making your will for you, you might want to consider the following services we offer.

Solicitors as Executors

You may choose to appoint your solicitor as an executor. This can be helpful for complex estates but may involve additional fees, often calculated as a percentage of the estate’s value.

Lasting Power of Attorney and Bundles

Some solicitors offer packages that include both a will and a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). These bundles can save money and provide added security for managing your affairs if you become unable to do so.  For example if you purchase a will with us, we’ll give you 20% off the LPA.

Storage and Updates

For £19.95 a year we will offer unlimited updates to your will.  This can anything from a simple change of address through a full-scale rewrite of your will.  We’ll even remind you take advantage of this option periodically so your will become outdated!

In addition, we’ll store your will both digitally and in a waterproof, fireproof facility to ensure it is kept safe and secure.

Final Thoughts

The cost of making a will depends on what you need particularly and on the nature of your estate. While cheaper options exist, using a solicitor helps to make sure your will is legally sound, offering you peace of mind. Investing in professional advice is a small price to pay for protecting your family and securing your legacy.