Comparing Options for Creating a Will

By Andrea Godfrey, Consultant Private Client Solicitor, Setfords, Published: 3rd August 2026, Last reviewed: 30 July 2026, Read time: 7 minutes

This guide covers the main options for making a will in England and Wales. These include using a solicitor, a professional will writer, an online platform, a DIY kit, or a charity will scheme. It discusses when a solicitor is essential and when a simpler option may be appropriate.

Key takeaways

• There’s no single right way to make a will. The best option depends on how simple or complex your estate is.
• Costs range from around £10 for a DIY kit to £500 or more for a solicitor-drafted will, with several options in between.
• A will is legally valid without a solicitor, provided it’s signed and witnessed correctly, but a solicitor’s advice on capacity and tax benefits most estates, not only complex ones.
• Complex or high-value estates, blended families, business assets, and overseas property are all good reasons to use a solicitor.
• Charity schemes such as Free Wills Month and Will Aid offer free or donation-based simple wills at set times of year, but only cover straightforward estates.

Making a will is one of the most important things you can do. Yet more than half of UK adults still don’t have one. For many, the barrier isn’t reluctance but uncertainty: where do you go, and how do you know which option is right?

There are more choices than ever, at a wide range of price points. This guide walks through each option to help you make an informed decision.

Key figures

£10 to £30 DIY · £200 to £500 solicitor · free via charity schemes

A DIY will kit costs around £10 to £30, at the lower end but carrying the most risk. A straightforward solicitor-drafted will typically costs £200 to £500 plus VAT. Twice a year, charity schemes such as Free Wills Month and Will Aid offer simple wills for free or for a voluntary donation.

(These are typical costs at the time of writing. Confirm current fees with your chosen provider, since prices vary by firm and region.)

Option 1: Using a Solicitor

Solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and carry professional indemnity insurance, cover that protects clients if a solicitor makes a mistake. This means you have full recourse if something goes wrong.

When you need a solicitor:

• Complex or high-value estates with inheritance tax implications.
• Blended families, including stepchildren or children from previous relationships.
• Business owners with assets to protect.
• Overseas property or assets in multiple jurisdictions.
• Trusts for vulnerable beneficiaries.
• Estranged family members who might challenge the will.
• Anyone who wants their will to truly reflect their wishes with a professional’s support. Solicitors can often suggest things you might not have considered.

What it costs. A straightforward single will typically ranges from £200 to £500 plus VAT. Mirror wills, matching wills made by a couple that usually leave everything to each other, typically range from £400 to £800 plus VAT. Always ask for a fixed-fee quote upfront.

For an uncomplicated estate, a solicitor isn’t always legally necessary, though hiring one can offer peace of mind.

Even for a straightforward estate, there are good reasons to use a solicitor. Solicitors keep detailed attendance notes and can assess your mental capacity at the time of signing. This record can help protect a will if a family member later challenges it, for example by claiming you were pressured or lacked capacity. Solicitors can also advise on inheritance tax planning, which matters even for estates that look straightforward.

Option 2: A Professional Will Writer

Professional will writers often charge less than solicitors but aren’t regulated by the SRA. The will writing industry in England and Wales is largely unregulated, meaning anyone can set up without formal qualifications.

Many belong to voluntary bodies such as the Society of Will Writers, which have their own codes of practice. If you use a will writer, check for membership of a recognised body and confirm they hold professional indemnity insurance.

What it costs. Typically £100 to £300 (plus VAT in some cases, depending on the business size) for a single will.

Limited regulatory protection means fewer routes for redress if something goes wrong. Using an SRA-regulated solicitor can offer more protection and peace of mind, especially for more complex estates.

Option 3: Online Will Writing Platforms

Services such as Farewill and Beyond let you complete a guided questionnaire and receive a will, often within hours.

What it costs. Typically £69 to £200, with some platforms offering legal review at a higher tier. Prices may vary depending on whether VAT is included.

When this works well. Uncomplicated estates with a single property, straightforward beneficiaries, and no significant inheritance tax concerns.

Quality varies, so always check what level of review is included. A will incorrectly executed has no legal effect, regardless of how well it’s drafted. Even where the estate looks simple, a short review from a solicitor can catch things a standard questionnaire won’t. If your’s is more complex, you’ll likely benefit from direct, one-to-one contact with a professional.

Option 4: DIY Will Kits

Available from stationers and online retailers for £10 to £30, these carry the most risk. Errors in wording, signing, or witnessing can render a will invalid, so your wishes may not be followed. For most people, the small saving isn’t worth it, and a solicitor removes that risk for a relatively modest additional cost.

Option 5: Charity Will Schemes

Free Wills Month. Runs in March and October. Adults aged 55 and over can have a simple will written or updated free of charge by participating solicitors. It’s funded by charities including Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation. There’s no obligation to leave a gift, though many do. Appointments fill quickly and not all solicitors participate.

Will Aid. Runs in November. Solicitors waive their fee in exchange for a voluntary donation. The suggested donation is £120 for a single will or £200 for mirror wills. It supports nine UK charities including Age UK and the NSPCC.

Both schemes cover simple wills only, and complex estates typically incur additional charges. Even here, it’s a qualified solicitor drafting your will, without the usual fee.

Common mistakes

1. Using a DIY kit for a complex estate. Errors in wording, signing, or witnessing can render a will invalid, so match the option to how complex your estate really is.
   
2. Not updating a will after a major life event. Marriage or entering a civil partnership generally revokes an existing will, so treat marriage, divorce, or having children as a trigger to review yours.
   
3. Assuming an online platform covers every situation. These work well for simple estates, but inheritance tax planning, trusts, or overseas assets usually need a solicitor’s input.
   
4. Missing a charity scheme’s window. Free Wills Month and Will Aid run at set times of year and appointments fill quickly, so book early if you want to use one.

When to speak to a solicitor

A DIY kit or online platform can work well for a simple estate, but getting advice first helps you check that’s really what you have. This is useful whether or not you go on to instruct Setfords.

Speak to a solicitor if:

• You’re not sure whether your estate counts as straightforward or complex.
• You’ve recently married, divorced, or had children.
• You want to leave money to someone outside your immediate family.
• You own property with someone who isn’t your spouse or civil partner.
• You want to set up a trust, for example for a vulnerable beneficiary.

FAQs

Do I need a solicitor to make a valid will?

No. A will is legally valid in England and Wales if it’s in writing, and signed by the testator (the person making the will) in the presence of two independent witnesses. Both witnesses must also sign in the testator’s presence. Working with a solicitor can still help ensure your will reflects your wishes, protects against later challenges, and accounts for tax planning. For complex estates in particular, a solicitor’s advice is strongly recommended.

How much does making a will cost?

The cost varies based on complexity and the level of support required. DIY kits: £10 to £30. Online platforms: £69 to £200. Professional will writers: £100 to £300. Solicitor-drafted wills: £200 to £500 plus VAT, with higher fees for complex estates or mirror packages.

What happens if I die without a will?

If you die without a will, you die intestate, and your estate is distributed under the Rules of Intestacy. This is a fixed set of legal rules that decide who inherits, regardless of what you would have wanted. Your assets may not go to the people you would have chosen. For example, an unmarried partner has no automatic right to inherit, regardless of how long you were together.

Can I update my will once it’s made?

Yes, you can update your will at any time while you have mental capacity. Minor changes can be made using a codicil, a short legal document that amends specific parts of an existing will. More substantial changes usually need a new will. Marriage or entering a civil partnership generally revokes an existing will, so make a new one if you get married. The same applies after any other significant life event, such as having children or divorce.

Which option is right for you?

If your estate is straightforward, an online platform or charity scheme can work well, though a solicitor’s advice on capacity evidence and tax planning benefits even simple estates. If your situation is complex, professional advice is the only sensible choice. The most important thing is to have a valid, up-to-date will in place, whichever route gets you there.

Speak to our wills and estate planning team if you need help making your will, or aren’t sure which option fits your circumstances.

This article is general information about making a will in England and Wales and is not legal advice. The law can change and every situation is different, so please speak to a qualified solicitor about your circumstances.