How much does a will cost in the UK? 2026 prices explained

So, how much does a will cost in the UK? In 2026, the average cost of a professionally written single will is £150-£400, while mirror wills for couples typically cost £200-£600. At the cheaper end, a DIY kit can cost as little as £0. At the more expensive end, a solicitor handling a complex or business estate can charge £1,500 or more.

The table below breaks down typical costs by service type, from cheapest to most comprehensive. If your estate is straightforward, simple wills for straightforward estates can be a cost-effective starting point.

These figures are guide prices for 2026 and can vary between providers and regions. A correctly drafted will from a cheaper provider is legally just as valid as an expensive one, provided it meets the legal requirements for signing and witnessing. The price difference usually reflects the level of advice, personalisation, and complexity the service can handle, not the legal weight of the document itself.

Complexity of your estate

The more complicated your estate, the more it typically costs to have your will written. Multiple properties, overseas assets, business interests, or trusts each add time and legal complexity, which increases the price. A simple estate - one house, some savings, and two beneficiaries - usually sits at the lower end of the cost range.

Type of service you choose

Will writing is not regulated in England and Wales, which means anyone can legally offer the service, regardless of qualifications. Solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, and financial advisors who discuss wills alongside wider estate planning are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Unregulated will writers can be cheaper, but there's less recourse if something goes wrong, so it's worth checking a provider's credentials before you pay.

Where you live

Location affects price too. Will writing services in London and the South East typically charge 15-25% more than the national average, reflecting higher overheads. Scotland has a different legal system for wills, based on "testamentary writings" rather than the rules that apply in England and Wales, so costs and requirements can vary. Northern Ireland also has its own legal framework, so it's worth checking with a local provider if you live outside England and Wales.

Whether you need a trust

Adding a trust to your will - for example, a discretionary trust or a property protection trust - typically adds £200-£500 or more to the cost. Trusts can make sense for blended families or if you're planning around future care home fees, but they add legal complexity, so it's worth discussing whether one is actually necessary before paying for it.

The right will service depends on how complicated your estate is and how much reassurance you want along the way. The table below is a starting point, matching common situations to a sensible service type and rough cost.

DIY wills are the cheapest option, but they carry real risk. Research from legal professional bodies suggests a significant proportion of DIY wills contain errors serious enough to delay or invalidate probate, often because of incorrect witnessing or unclear wording. Online will-writing platforms are more convenient than DIY kits and usually include some guidance, but they still offer limited personalisation compared with a will writer or solicitor who can ask about your specific circumstances.

If you're not sure which option fits your situation, it's worth talking it through before you commit to a service.

A mirror will is a pair of near-identical wills made by a couple, where each partner leaves their estate to the other (and usually to the same beneficiaries once both partners have died). Because the two documents are so similar, providers can usually offer them together for less than the cost of two separate wills - typically 20-40% less.

One important limitation: a mirror will isn't legally binding on the surviving partner. After one partner dies, the other is free to change their will, even if it goes against what was originally agreed - for example, after remarrying or falling out with a beneficiary. If you want to prevent this, you'd need a mutual will, which is legally binding on both partners but far less common and more restrictive, so it's worth discussing carefully before choosing one over the other.

The headline price of a will rarely covers everything you'll actually spend on getting your affairs in order. Here are the additional costs that catch people out most often.

The nil-rate band - the amount you can leave before inheritance tax applies - has been frozen at £325,000 since 2009 and is set to remain frozen until at least 2030. Combined with the residence nil-rate band, many households can currently pass on up to £500,000 tax-free, but rising property and asset values mean more estates are being pulled into inheritance tax than in previous years.

A bigger change is coming from April 2027: unused pension funds will form part of your taxable estate for inheritance tax purposes for the first time. If your estate - including your pension - is approaching £325,000 (or £500,000 with the residence nil-rate band), it's worth reviewing your will and wider estate plan before this change takes effect.

A well-drafted will can help manage inheritance tax exposure, for example through trusts or charitable bequests, though it can't eliminate a tax bill on its own. Some people also consider releasing equity from their home as part of a wider inheritance tax strategy - if you're weighing this up, it's worth reading more about inheritance tax and equity release first. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or any other debt secured on it, so this option needs careful thought alongside advice covering your full estate.

Once you have a sense of what you're likely to pay, the process of actually getting your will written is straightforward. Here's how to approach it so you get good value without cutting corners.

For a full step-by-step walkthrough, see our guide on how to write a will in the UK, or explore our will writing service for more detail on how we can help.

Wills should also be updated after major life events - marriage (which revokes an earlier will in England and Wales), divorce, having children, buying a property, or a significant change in your assets. If you're feeling overwhelmed by the options or unsure where to start, MoneyHelper (moneyhelper.org.uk, 0800 138 7777) offers independent, government-backed guidance.