How much does a will cost in England and Wales?
It's usually the first question people ask, and a fair one. The honest answer is that it depends on what you need, so here's what actually drives the price and what you should expect to get for your money.
The three main ways to make a will
- Doing it yourself with a template or kit is the cheapest route, but nobody checks it, and mistakes in the wording or the signing can make all or part of it invalid.
- A will writing service sits in the middle. Your will is drafted for you from your answers, often remotely, at a lower price than a law firm.
- A solicitor is usually the most expensive route, and is worth it for genuinely complex estates.
What affects the price
For most people a simple will is all they need. The price goes up when there's more to think about, for example:
- Mirror wills for a couple rather than one will
- Trusts, for example to protect an inheritance for young children or a vulnerable person
- Property or money overseas
- Owning a business
- Blended families, where you want to look after a partner as well as children from an earlier relationship
- Adding Lasting Powers of Attorney at the same time
My prices
At Simply Smart Wills, simple wills start from £125, mirror wills for couples from £200, and Lasting Powers of Attorney from £150 for one or £220 for both. LPAs also have a registration fee paid directly to the Office of the Public Guardian, currently £92 per LPA.
Simple amendments are included. I confirm your fixed price in writing once you've completed your questionnaire, before you commit to anything, and if things become more complex along the way I'll talk to you about the price before doing any more work.
What a fair price should cover
Whoever you use, you should be paying for your will to be properly drafted, checked before it's finalised, explained in plain English, and sent with clear instructions for signing it correctly. Before you go ahead, it's worth asking how your will is checked and what happens if you want changes.
The cost of not having one
Not making a will costs nothing upfront, but it can cost the people you leave behind a lot. Fixed intestacy rules decide who inherits, an unmarried partner can receive nothing, and sorting things out usually takes longer. Here's what happens if you die without a will.