One of the most common reasons people give for not having a will is that they think it will be expensive. The reality? You can have a legally valid will in the UK for as little as £29.99. Yet for complex estates, paying several hundred pounds to a solicitor may genuinely save tens of thousands in future complications.
This guide breaks down every cost you'll encounter when creating a will in the UK in 2026 — from the cheapest online option to full solicitor packages — and explains which option gives you the best value for your specific situation.
| Document Type | Online Service | Solicitor (UK avg) | London premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single will | £29–£90 | £150–£300 | £250–£500 |
| Mirror wills (couple) | £49–£150 | £250–£500 | £400–£800 |
| Will with testamentary trust | Not available | £500–£1,500 | £800–£2,500 |
| Property & Financial LPA | £50–£120 + £82 OPG fee | £300–£600 + £82 OPG fee | £450–£800 + £82 OPG fee |
| Health & Welfare LPA | £50–£120 + £82 OPG fee | £300–£600 + £82 OPG fee | £450–£800 + £82 OPG fee |
| Both LPAs (total) | £164–£340 | £764–£1,364 | £1,064–£1,764 |
Not all wills are equal. Here are the main factors that increase the cost of a solicitor-prepared will:
Incorporating a trust into your will — whether a discretionary trust, a life interest trust, or a trust for a disabled beneficiary — significantly increases drafting complexity and therefore cost. Trusts often add £300–£1,000+ to the base will fee.
If you own shares in a company, a partnership interest, or a sole trade business, your will needs to address these carefully, particularly regarding Business Property Relief (BPR) for IHT purposes.
Property or investments abroad may require separate wills in each jurisdiction, or at minimum careful coordination between your UK will and local law.
Blended families, children from multiple relationships, estranged relatives, and specific concerns about particular beneficiaries all add complexity and therefore cost.
Some solicitors offer to act as your executor, charging fees from the estate upon your death. These are typically 1%–4% of the estate value — potentially thousands of pounds. Only use a professional executor if you have no trusted personal executor available.
Free Wills Month runs in October, with a second phase in March. Participating solicitors offer free basic wills to people aged 55 and over, in exchange for considering a charitable legacy. You are not obliged to leave anything to charity. Check freewillsmonth.org.uk for participating firms.
Will Aid runs every November. Participating solicitors charge a suggested minimum donation of £100 for a single will or £180 for mirror wills, with proceeds going to charity. The resulting will is a full solicitor-prepared document. See willaid.org.uk.
Available year-round for over-55s making a charitable legacy, via various charities' partnership schemes.
LegalWills.co.uk offers a fully legal UK will at a fraction of solicitor cost. No hidden fees, unlimited updates included.
Create My Will at LegalWills.co.uk →Will writing costs vary significantly by region. Based on 2025/26 data:
| Region | Simple Will (solicitor) | Mirror Wills (solicitor) |
|---|---|---|
| London | £250–£500 | £400–£800 |
| South East | £200–£400 | £350–£650 |
| Midlands | £150–£280 | £250–£450 |
| North of England | £130–£250 | £200–£400 |
| Wales | £120–£220 | £180–£380 |
| Scotland | £150–£300 | £250–£500 |
| Northern Ireland | £130–£250 | £220–£400 |
Online will services charge the same price regardless of your location in the UK — a significant advantage for residents outside major cities who would otherwise pay lower solicitor rates.
LPAs have a fixed OPG registration fee of £82 per LPA regardless of how you create them. The variable is the professional or service fee on top:
Fee reductions: People with gross annual income below £12,000 pay a 50% fee reduction (£41 per LPA). Those receiving certain means-tested benefits may be fully exempt. Apply for remission on form LPA120.
When using a solicitor, watch for these additional charges that can be added to the base fee:
Online services typically charge a flat fee with no hidden extras. Always check whether updates are included or charged separately.
Consider these costs of dying intestate:
Against these potential costs, even a solicitor's fee of £300 for a simple will represents extraordinary value.
See our full comparison of UK will writing options — online services, solicitors, free schemes and more.
Compare UK Will Costs →