This guide is general information about the law in England and Wales, not legal advice. Every situation is different, so please speak to us or another qualified adviser before acting on it.
The short answer
- No government fee: unlike a Lasting Power of Attorney, a will doesn't have to be registered anywhere, so there's no official fee to make one.
- Doing it yourself: GOV.UK says you can write your will yourself, but you should get advice if it isn't straightforward.
- Using a professional: prices vary widely between will writers and solicitors, depending on the service and how complex your wishes are. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) suggests getting quotes from at least 3 providers.
- With us: a single will is £59 and mirror wills for a couple are £99, at a fixed price with no VAT.
Your options for making a will
The CMA's guide to buying will writing services points out that, in the UK, anyone can write a will. Will writing isn't a "reserved" legal activity, so the law doesn't restrict who can do it. In practice there are three main routes.
1. Writing it yourself
This costs little, but the risk sits with you. To be valid, GOV.UK says you must be 18 or over, make the will voluntarily, be of sound mind and put it in writing. You must sign it in front of 2 witnesses aged over 18, both present at the same time, and they must then sign it in front of you. A witness, or a witness's husband, wife or civil partner, can't inherit anything under the will. Mistakes often only come to light after death, when they can't be fixed.
2. A regulated professional, such as a solicitor
The CMA explains that regulated professionals must follow their regulator's codes of conduct, and that you may be able to complain to the Legal Ombudsman and claim compensation through the firm's insurance or a regulator's scheme. Solicitors often charge more, but they're the right choice for some estates.
3. A professional will writer who isn't a solicitor
The CMA says unregulated will writers may offer a lower-priced alternative, and that some belong to self-regulatory bodies with their own rules and complaints processes. That's what we are: we prepare wills and LPAs, but we're not solicitors. Our terms of service explain exactly what that means for you.
What affects the price?
Most of the cost is the time needed to understand your circumstances and draft properly. GOV.UK gives examples of wills that aren't straightforward:
- you share a property with someone who isn't your husband, wife or civil partner
- you want to leave money or property to a dependant who can't care for themselves
- several family members may make a claim on your will, such as a second spouse or children from another marriage
- your permanent home is outside the UK, or you have property overseas
- you have a business
Trusts and tax planning cost more wherever you go. If you need specialist legal or tax advice, we'll tell you on your call and suggest a solicitor or tax adviser.
Extras and hidden costs to look out for
The CMA's guide lists several things to check before you buy:
- The total price: if it's a one-off fee, what's included? If it's hourly, is there a cap? The CMA says it's against the law for a business to advertise a price and then add compulsory fees later in the sales process.
- Professional executors: a will writer may offer to be your executor. The CMA notes that your estate will be charged when the time comes, and that this isn't a legal requirement. You could choose a family member instead. Our guide to choosing an executor covers the options.
- Storage and subscriptions: check where your original will would be kept, what it costs, whether a subscription auto-renews, and what happens if the business stops trading.
- Pre-ticked boxes: make sure you aren't signed up to extra services you didn't ask for.
The CMA also mentions charity schemes such as Free Wills Month (March and October) and Will Aid (November), which usually cover simple wills in return for a voluntary donation.
What a will costs with us
Our prices are fixed and agreed on a free call before any work starts:
| Service | Our price |
|---|---|
| Single will | £59 |
| Mirror wills for a couple | £99 |
| Single bundle: a will plus both LPAs | £299 |
| Couples bundle: mirror wills plus all 4 LPAs | £599 |
The bundles don't include the government's LPA registration fee of £92 per LPA, which is paid to the Office of the Public Guardian at cost. We don't charge VAT. There are two optional extras: printed and posted documents (£14.99) and an executor pack (£49.99). Nothing is pre-ticked, we don't sell storage or subscriptions, and we don't ask to be appointed as your executor.
What's included
- An appointment by phone or video to go through your wishes, executors, guardians and gifts.
- Your draft will within 14 days of you instructing us and us receiving all the information we need from you, with free changes until you're happy.
- Your final will within 3 working days of you approving the draft, with a step-by-step guide to signing and witnessing it. Signing correctly is your responsibility, so please ask us if anything is unclear.
- Our 14-day money-back promise, as set out in our terms of service.
The cost of not having a will
If you die without a will, the intestacy rules decide who inherits. Unmarried partners inherit nothing under those rules, however long you've lived together. See what happens if you die without a will and what probate is.
Keeping costs down over time
GOV.UK recommends reviewing your will every 5 years and after major life changes, such as separating, having a child or moving house. Getting married cancels any will you made before. Small changes need a codicil, signed and witnessed like a will; for major changes, make a new will. Our free will check helps you spot when yours needs updating.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a government fee to make a will?
No. In England and Wales you don't have to register a will, so there's no official fee. You only pay for help preparing it, if you choose to get help.
Is a homemade will legally valid?
It can be, as long as it meets the legal requirements: you're 18 or over, of sound mind, making it voluntarily and in writing, and you sign it in front of 2 adult witnesses present at the same time, who then sign it in front of you. GOV.UK says to get advice if your will isn't straightforward.
How much do mirror wills cost?
With us, mirror wills for a couple cost £99 in total, or £599 as part of our couples bundle with all 4 LPAs. See our guide to mirror wills.
Do I need a solicitor to make a will?
No. Will writing isn't a reserved legal activity. A solicitor may be the right choice for complex estates, trusts or likely disputes, and we'll tell you if we think you need one.
How much does it cost to change a will?
Small changes can be made with a codicil, and bigger changes need a new will. Either way it must be signed and witnessed properly.
Want us to talk it through with you?
Request a free, no-obligation call back. We'll explain your options and give you a fixed price before we start. We call back usually within the hour during our calling hours (Mon–Fri 9am–8pm, Sat 9am–1pm).
Request a free call back Check if your will is up to date
See our fixed prices: wills from £59, LPAs £149 each. We don't charge VAT.
Sources: GOV.UK: Making a will; GOV.UK: Write your will; GOV.UK: Make sure your will is legal; GOV.UK: Update your will; CMA: What to consider when buying will writing services. Checked 24 October 2026.