Making a last will and testament is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones and ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes. Yet one of the most common concerns is the price of a will. The cost of wills in the UK depends on factors such as the complexity of your estate, whether you need tax planning advice, the inclusion of trusts, and whether you choose professional will writing services or a DIY solution.
While price is naturally an important consideration, it should not be the only one. A will is a legal document that can significantly affect your family’s financial future. Focusing solely on the cheapest option can sometimes lead to costly mistakes, delays in probate, or disputes after death. In this guide, we explain what affects the cost of wills in the UK, compare DIY and solicitor-drafted options, and explore when investing in professional advice may provide the greatest value.
When might a more complex Will be needed?
Not everyone requires a complex last will and testament, but certain common scenarios justify spending more for bespoke drafting. Situations that often need complex or trust‑based wills include:
- Blended Families – Where there are children from previous relationships, stepchildren, or concerns about how a surviving spouse may later distribute assets.
- Multiple or High‑Value Assets – Ownership of several properties, investment portfolios, or business shares, particularly if they’re in different jurisdictions.
- Vulnerable or Young Beneficiaries – Beneficiaries who are minors, have disabilities, or aren’t good with money may need trusts and careful appointment of trustees.
- Inheritance Tax Exposure – Estates approaching or exceeding the nil‑rate band, or where residence nil‑rate band rules and spousal exemptions need to be optimised.
- Estate Protection Goals – Where you want to protect assets from remarriage, creditors, or care‑home fees, structures such as life interest and discretionary trusts are often used.
How much does a Will cost in the UK?
There is no fixed fee for creating a will because every individual’s circumstances are different. Most wills fall into several broad categories outlined below.
Basic Single Wills
A basic will is generally suitable for someone with straightforward circumstances. For example, they may have a limited number of assets and wish to leave everything to a spouse, partner, family member, or children. Basic wills are typically the most affordable option because they involve relatively simple instructions and minimal estate planning considerations.
Mirror Wills
Mirror wills are commonly chosen by married couples or long-term partners. These documents contain similar provisions, with each person usually leaving their estate to the other and then to chosen beneficiaries. Because two wills are prepared together, the overall cost is generally higher than a single will but often lower than commissioning two completely separate bespoke documents.
Complex Wills
Complex wills require additional legal advice, drafting time, and careful planning, which can increase the overall cost. A more complex will may be required where there are:
- Multiple properties
- Business interests
- Significant investments
- Overseas assets
- Blended families
- Dependants with special needs
- Concerns about inheritance tax
Trust-Based Wills
Some wills include trusts designed to protect assets, provide for vulnerable beneficiaries, preserve wealth for future generations, or manage inheritance tax liabilities. Because trusts involve more sophisticated legal structures, they generally attract higher drafting costs than standard wills. It is important to consider the initial fee and the long-term benefits of accurate legal drafting and appropriate estate planning.
What affects the cost of a Will?
The cost of a will really depends on how much legal work is required to translate your wishes into a robust last will and testament. Key factors include:
- Complexity of Your Estate – An estate consisting of a family home and a few savings accounts is generally easier to deal with than one containing multiple properties, investments, business ownership, overseas assets, and valuable collections.
- Family Circumstances – Family structures can have a major impact on will drafting requirements. You may need additional planning if you have children from a previous relationship, want to provide for an unmarried partner, wish to leave unequal gifts to beneficiaries, or have dependants with disabilities.
- Appointment of Executors and Guardians – A will should clearly identify executors who will be responsible for administering your estate after your death. Parents of young children may also need to appoint guardians. These provisions require consideration and can influence the complexity of the document.
- Number of Beneficiaries and Specific Gifts – Detailed legacies, guardianship provisions, and tailored conditions can push a will beyond “basic” and into complex territory.
- Trust Provisions – Including trusts within a will can increase drafting costs significantly. Trusts may be used to protect assets for children until they reach a certain age, provide ongoing support for vulnerable beneficiaries, and protect family assets from future relationship breakdowns.
- Inheritance Tax Planning – A professionally drafted will may help ensure that available reliefs and exemptions are fully considered. This can be particularly important for individuals with larger estates or valuable property holdings.
- Professional Expertise – The experience and qualifications of the person preparing the will can also affect pricing. Solicitors with specialist expertise in private client law, estate planning, trusts, and probate may charge higher fees than generic document providers.
DIY Wills vs Solicitor Drafted Wills
DIY wills appeal because the upfront cost of wills can be very low, sometimes free. The savings at the drafting stage can be outweighed by cost and stress for your executors if the will is unclear or invalid.
DIY Wills
DIY options include templates from stationers, online questionnaires, or simply writing your own document and getting it witnessed correctly. They are best suited to the very simple situations when there are one or two beneficiaries, no children needing guardianship clauses, and no complex assets or tax issues.
The risks are substantial, including ambiguous wording, failure to meet signing and witnessing formalities, and unintended tax or care fee consequences can all lead to the will being challenged or disregarded. In practice, probate disputes and corrective legal work often cost far more than a professionally prepared will would have done.
Solicitor-drafted Wills
Solicitors and specialist will writing services charge more but provide regulated advice, professional indemnity insurance and clearer legal certainty. A solicitor drafted will cost for a simple estate may be in the £200–£500 range, while complex arrangements could sit between £500 and £1,500+.
Solicitors also tend to explore wider planning questions such as inheritance tax, care home fee exposure and how to protect vulnerable beneficiaries, which DIY kits rarely cover. For many families, especially where property and children are involved, this additional insight is where the real value lies.
The Cost of Mistakes
One of the most important considerations is the potential cost of getting it wrong. In many cases, the financial consequences of a poorly drafted will can far exceed the initial savings achieved by avoiding professional advice. An inexpensive DIY will that contains errors could result in:
- Family disagreements
- Legal challenges
- Increased estate administration costs
- Delays in probate
- Unintended beneficiaries receiving assets
Why is Professional Will writing worth Considering?
Professional will writing services cost more than DIY options, but they exist because many people want certainty that their wishes will be followed and their family won’t face avoidable problems later. Key benefits of professional drafting include:
- Legal Accuracy and Validity – A practitioner ensures your will meets the formal requirements and uses clear, legally tested wording, reducing the risk of disputes.
- Bespoke Advice – Solicitors and experienced will writers can suggest structures you might never have considered, such as guardianship clauses, trusts, or specific inheritance tax allowances.
- Coordination with wider Planning – Professional firms often package wills with powers of attorney and broader estate planning, giving more comprehensive protection.
- Value Over Lifetime – Although a solicitor will cost might be a few hundred pounds more than DIY, the benefit of properly protected assets and smoother probate can be worth many thousands to your beneficiaries.
- Reduced Risk of Disputes – Family disputes can be emotionally and financially damaging. Clear drafting, careful planning, and expert advice can help reduce misunderstandings and provide greater confidence that your wishes will be respected.
- Inheritance Tax Efficiency – Where appropriate, professional advisers can identify planning opportunities that may help preserve more wealth for future generations. Even modest tax savings can outweigh the cost of obtaining expert advice.
- Ongoing Peace of Mind – Knowing that your last will and testament has been professionally prepared and reviewed can provide reassurance that your affairs are in order and your loved ones are protected.
Contact Taunton Solicitors Today
Taunton Solicitors provides comprehensive will services in the UK. While a simple will may be relatively inexpensive, complex estates involving trusts, business interests, blended families, or tax planning will generally require greater investment. A professionally prepared last will and testament can help ensure your wishes are legally valid, minimise the risk of disputes, protect beneficiaries, and potentially save significant time and money for your family in the future. Contact us today to discuss our legal services.