James, 42, had been putting off making a will for three years. It wasn't the thought of death that stopped him—it was the price tag. He'd heard from a colleague that a solicitor charged £650 for a will, and he simply couldn't justify spending that much right now. His wife kept mentioning it, especially since they had two young children, but every time James looked into it, the costs felt prohibitive.
Then he discovered online will services charging £49.99. His immediate thought? "What's the catch? Is this even legal? Will it hold up in court?"
Research from the Money and Pensions Service reveals that 56% of UK adults don't have a will, with many citing cost concerns as a barrier. But making a will doesn't have to cost hundreds of pounds.
This guide breaks down exactly what you'll pay for every type of will service in the UK, exposes the hidden costs many companies don't tell you about, and helps you find the genuine value—not just the cheapest price.
The Real Cost of UK Wills in 2025: Quick Overview
The cost of making a will in the UK varies dramatically depending on which service you choose:
| Service Type | Single Will | Mirror Wills (Couples) | What's Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solicitor | £150-£650+ | £200-£800+ | Face-to-face consultation, bespoke advice, complex estate planning |
| Online services | £20-£240 | £40-£380 | Guided platform, varying levels of support and legal review |
| WUHLD | £49.99 | £49.99 | Complete will + 3 guides, preview free, no hidden fees |
| Free options | £0 | £0 | Basic wills only, restricted eligibility (over 55s, specific months) |
So why such a huge price range?
Several factors drive will costs. Estate complexity is the biggest factor—a simple will leaving everything to your spouse costs less than one involving multiple beneficiaries, trust provisions, or business assets. The service type matters too: solicitors charge for their time and expertise, while online services use technology to reduce costs.
According to Compare My Move, the average cost for a straightforward single will with a solicitor is £300-£400, with mirror wills for couples ranging from £200-£600.
But "value" isn't just about price. It's about getting a legally valid will that accurately reflects your wishes, with the right level of support for your situation. Paying £650 for a simple estate is overpaying. But paying £20 for a template when you need proper guidance risks creating an invalid will.
The hidden costs catch many people off guard. Will storage fees can add £25-£50 per year. Update costs range from £50-£150 each time your circumstances change. Codicils (amendments) cost £30-£70 with most solicitors. Over ten years, these "extras" can double your total spend.
Solicitor Will Costs: What You're Actually Paying For
When you use a solicitor, you're paying for legal expertise, personalized advice, and professional indemnity insurance.
Here's the typical pricing breakdown:
Standard solicitor fees (2025):
- Basic single will: £150-£350
- Mirror wills for couples: £200-£600
- Complex wills with trust provisions: £500-£1,500+
- Will amendments (codicils): £30-£70 each
- Will storage: £25-£50 per year or £100-£200 one-time fee
What do you get for these fees?
A solicitor will typically spend 1-2 hours with you in face-to-face consultations, asking detailed questions about your estate, family circumstances, and wishes. They'll draft your will using precise legal language, review it with you, and provide guidance on execution. You're also getting professional indemnity insurance—if the solicitor makes an error, you're covered.
Margaret, 58, had an £800,000 estate including two buy-to-let properties and wanted to set up a trust for her grandson. She paid £650 for a comprehensive will with trust provisions. For her complexity, it was worth every penny. A cheaper option couldn't have handled the tax planning and legal structures she needed.
When are solicitor fees justified?
Solicitors are worth the investment if you have:
- Estates significantly over the £325,000 inheritance tax threshold requiring tax planning
- Business assets needing succession planning
- Overseas property
- Complex family situations (estranged relatives you want to exclude, vulnerable beneficiaries)
- Trust requirements (for children, disabled dependents, or asset protection)
Location affects pricing too. London solicitors typically charge £400-£800 for standard wills, while regional firms might charge £150-£300 for the same service.
Hidden costs to watch for:
- Photocopying and administrative fees (£20-£50)
- Storage fees that aren't mentioned upfront
- Hourly consultation fees beyond the initial quote
- Registration fees for storing wills in databases
Always ask for a complete cost breakdown before proceeding. A reputable solicitor will explain all fees clearly.
Online Will Services: Comparing Your Options
The online will writing market offers everything from basic £20 templates to comprehensive £240 services with solicitor review. Understanding what you get at each price point helps you choose wisely.
Budget DIY options (£20-£40)
Services like basic template providers charge £19.99-£40 for downloadable will templates. You fill in the blanks yourself.
What you get:
- Basic template document
- Generic guidance
- Self-service only—no support
- No legal review
What you don't get:
- Help if you make mistakes
- Confidence that you've covered everything
- Guidance on complex situations
These work only if your estate is extremely simple and you understand legal terminology.
Mid-range with support (£49-£100)
WUHLD: £49.99
- Complete legally binding will
- 12-page Testator Guide explaining execution
- Witness Guide for your witnesses
- Complete Asset Inventory document
- Preview your entire will free before paying
- No storage fees, no subscriptions, no hidden costs
- Suitable for straightforward UK estates under £3M
Make A Will Online: £60 single, £90 couples
- Guided platform
- Basic support
- Standard will documents
At this price point, you're getting structured guidance that walks you through the process, reducing the risk of errors.
Premium online (£100-£240)
Farewill: £100 single, £160 couples
- Online platform with phone support
- Will stored securely
- Specialists available for questions
Co-op Legal Services: £150 single, £245 mirror wills
- Brand trust of the Co-op
- Telephone support
- Solicitor oversight available
What justifies the higher cost? Usually it's phone support, solicitor review options, and brand recognition. For straightforward estates, you're often paying extra for features you may not need.
Tom and Lisa, 35 and 33, had a straightforward estate: their house (£340,000), savings (£25,000), and life insurance. They chose WUHLD at £49.99, appreciated the preview feature that let them see their complete will before paying, and completed everything in 15 minutes during their daughter's nap time. If you're wondering how to create a will online, our complete guide walks you through every step.
Comparison at a glance:
| Service | Price | Legal Review | Support | Updates | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic templates | £20-£40 | None | None | Pay per update | Very confident DIY-ers |
| WUHLD | £49.99 | Platform-guided | Email support | New will for changes | Straightforward estates |
| Farewill | £100-£160 | Optional add-on | Phone support | Included | Those wanting phone support |
| Co-op Legal | £150-£245 | Available | Phone/email | Pay per update | Brand-conscious buyers |
The key question: Does the higher price give you something you actually need, or are you paying for brand recognition and features you won't use?
Free Will Options in the UK: The Complete Guide
Several schemes offer free will writing in the UK, but they all have eligibility restrictions and limitations.
Free Wills Month (March & October)
Twice a year, solicitors participate in Free Wills Month for people over 55.
How it works:
- Register online during the registration period
- Get matched with a participating solicitor
- Receive a basic will at no cost
What's included:
- Simple will only (no complex trust provisions)
- One consultation
- Standard distribution of assets
Limitations:
- Must be over 55
- Only available during specific months
- Simple estates only—if you need tax planning or trusts, you'll need to pay
- High demand means booking slots can be difficult
Barbara, 67, used Free Wills Month to create her will. Her estate was simple: her house and savings split equally between her two children. Perfect fit. Her friend Peter, the same age but with business assets and complex tax considerations, had to pay for a solicitor—the free service couldn't handle his needs.
Will Aid (November)
Will Aid runs every November, with participating solicitors writing wills in exchange for a charitable donation.
How it works:
- Suggested donation: £120 for single will, £200 for mirror wills
- All donations go to nine partnering charities
- Participating solicitors provide the service free
Is it truly "free"? Technically yes—the donation is optional—but there's a strong expectation to donate the suggested amount. Most people treat it as a discounted will service benefiting charity.
Charity will schemes
Several charities offer free wills year-round in exchange for the expectation (not requirement) that you'll include a legacy gift to the charity.
Important considerations:
- You're not obligated to leave anything to the charity
- But there's an ethical expectation
- Usually only for simple estates
- May have age restrictions (typically 55+)
Are free wills as good as paid ones?
Yes and no. If you're eligible and have a simple estate, free wills are perfectly legal and valid. But they're basic by design. You won't get complex tax planning, trust provisions, or extensive consultation time.
The waiting lists can be long. If you need a will now—perhaps you're buying a house, having a baby and need to appoint guardians, or getting married—waiting months for Free Wills Month isn't practical.
What Affects the Cost of Your Will?
Understanding what drives pricing helps you determine which service level you actually need.
Estate complexity: The primary cost driver
Simple estates (lower cost suitable):
- Everything to spouse, or split equally among children
- Standard assets (house, savings, life insurance)
- No tax planning needed (under £325,000)
- No special provisions or trusts
Moderate estates (mid-range service appropriate):
- Multiple beneficiaries with different gifts
- Some specific bequests (jewelry to daughter, car to son)
- Estate approaching inheritance tax threshold
- Standard guardianship provisions
Complex estates (specialist advice justified):
- Estates significantly over £325,000 requiring IHT planning
- Business assets needing succession planning
- Overseas property
- Trust requirements for vulnerable beneficiaries
- Blended family considerations
- Asset protection strategies
Number of beneficiaries matters
Leaving everything to your spouse is straightforward. Dividing assets among five children, three grandchildren, and two charities requires more detailed drafting, which takes more time and costs more.
Special provisions increase costs
Standard guardianship clauses for children are included in most will services at no extra cost. Learn more about choosing guardians for your children to understand this critical decision. But if you want:
- Discretionary trusts: Add £200-£500 to solicitor costs
- Business succession provisions: Add £300-£800
- Overseas asset provisions: Add £200-£400
- Property protection trusts: Add £300-£600
Service type and convenience
You're also paying for how the service is delivered:
- DIY template: Cheapest, but highest risk of errors
- Online guided platform: Balance of cost and support
- Solicitor consultation: Most expensive, most personalized support
Decision framework: Which service do you need?
Use online service (WUHLD or similar) if:
- Estate under £3M
- UK assets only
- Straightforward beneficiaries
- No complex tax planning needs
- No business succession required
- No complicated trusts needed
Consider mid-tier solicitor if:
- Estate £1M-£3M with some tax planning needs
- Multiple properties but straightforward distribution
- Want face-to-face reassurance
- Moderate complexity
Use specialist solicitor if:
- Estate significantly over IHT threshold requiring extensive planning
- Complex trust structures needed
- Business with succession planning
- Overseas assets
- Contested family situations
- Vulnerable beneficiaries needing specialist trusts
Hidden Costs: What Companies Don't Tell You
The initial price you see is rarely the total you'll pay over time. Here are the hidden costs that can double your spend.
Storage fees
Many solicitors charge for storing your will:
- Annual fees: £25-£50 per year
- One-time fees: £100-£200 for "lifetime" storage
Over 20 years, annual storage at £40/year adds £800 to your initial £300 will cost.
WUHLD's approach: You keep your original will. No storage fees ever.
Update fees
Life changes require will updates: marriage, divorce, new children, house purchases, death of a beneficiary.
What companies charge:
- Minor updates: £50-£150 per update
- Major updates: £100-£300 (sometimes easier to create a new will)
- Some online services: Annual subscription fees (£30-£60/year)
Over a lifetime, you might need 2-3 updates. At £150 each, that's £450 added to your original cost.
Codicil costs
A codicil is an amendment to your will. Solicitors typically charge £30-£70 per codicil.
The hidden risk: Codicils can create confusion and increase the risk of your will being contested. Multiple codicils can make your wishes unclear. Often it's better to create a new will entirely, but that costs more.
Consultation fees beyond the quote
Some solicitors quote a base price but charge hourly fees for consultations beyond the first meeting:
- Hourly rates: £150-£300 in London, £100-£200 regionally
- "The meter's running" for emails and phone calls in some firms
Always ask: "Does your quote include all consultations, or will I be charged for additional time?"
Execution support fees
After your will is drafted, you need to sign it properly with two witnesses. Some services charge extra for:
- Witness guide provision
- Execution ceremony at solicitor's office
- Review of properly executed will
WUHLD includes comprehensive Testator and Witness Guides in the £49.99 price.
Real cost comparison: Michael's story
Michael paid £150 for a will with a high-street solicitor in 2020. Seemed reasonable.
But over five years:
- Initial will: £150
- Storage fee: £40/year × 5 = £200
- One codicil (new grandchild): £75
- Update after remarriage: £150
Total five-year cost: £575
If he'd chosen WUHLD at £49.99 with no storage fees, creating a new will after remarriage instead of an update, total cost would be £99.98.
Questions to ask before you commit:
- "What exactly is included in this price?"
- "Do you charge storage fees? How much and for how long?"
- "What do you charge for updates or amendments?"
- "Will I be charged for additional consultations?"
- "Are there any other fees I should know about?"
Transparent companies will answer clearly. Evasive answers are red flags.
Is a Cheap Will a False Economy?
The fear that "you get what you pay for" stops many people from using affordable will services. Sometimes that fear is justified. Sometimes it's not.
What makes a will "cheap"
Lower-cost wills reduce price through:
- Technology automation (reducing solicitor time)
- Template-based approaches (less customization)
- Self-service models (you do more of the work)
- No face-to-face meetings (cutting overhead)
None of these automatically means "poor quality." A well-designed online platform can produce a perfectly valid will for straightforward situations.
When affordable online services work perfectly
Use online services (including WUHLD) when you have:
- Straightforward estate under £3M
- Standard beneficiaries (spouse, children, family, charities)
- UK assets only
- No complex tax planning requirements
- No business succession needs
- No contested family situations
For these situations, paying £650 for a solicitor is overpaying for expertise you don't need.
When cheap becomes risky
Avoid cheap DIY templates if you have:
- Blended family situations (stepchildren, children from multiple relationships)
- Estates significantly over the inheritance tax threshold
- Business ownership requiring succession planning
- Overseas property
- Desire to exclude close family members (higher risk of contest)
- Vulnerable beneficiaries needing protective trusts
For complex situations, a £20 template is a false economy.
Quality indicators regardless of price
Look for these signs of a quality service at any price point:
✓ Clear legal compliance (references Wills Act 1837 requirements) ✓ Comprehensive coverage (executors, guardians, residuary clause) ✓ Execution guidance (how to sign and witness properly) ✓ Company credibility (established, reviews, contact information) ✓ Transparent about limitations (tells you when you need a solicitor)
Red flags in cheap services:
✗ No contact information or customer support ✗ Vague about legal compliance ✗ Suspiciously cheap (£5-£10 with no support) ✗ No customer reviews or testimonials ✗ Unclear about what's actually included
Rachel's false economy
Rachel bought a £15 will template online to save money. She filled it out herself, but made two critical errors: her witnesses were beneficiaries (which invalidated their gifts), and she didn't include a residuary clause (leaving part of her estate undistributed).
When her will was examined after her death, it was partially invalid. Her family had to pay £400 to a solicitor to sort out the intestacy for the undistributed portion.
Total cost: £415, plus months of family stress.
If she'd used WUHLD at £49.99, the guided platform would have prevented these errors, and her will would have worked properly.
The genuine value equation
Best value ≠ lowest price. Best value = appropriate service level for your needs at fair cost.
For straightforward estates, WUHLD at £49.99 offers better value than a £650 solicitor—same legal validity, fraction of the cost.
For complex estates with tax planning needs, a £650 specialist solicitor offers better value than a £49 online service that can't handle your complexity.
How WUHLD Keeps Costs at £49.99
You might wonder how WUHLD can offer a complete, legally binding will for £49.99 when solicitors charge £300-£650. The answer is technology and focus.
Technology efficiency reduces costs
Traditional solicitors spend hours on tasks that technology handles instantly:
- Manual drafting: Solicitor types out your will (1-2 hours)
- WUHLD: Automated generation from your answers (instant)
- Appointment scheduling: Phone tag, calendar coordination (30-60 minutes)
- WUHLD: Create your will anytime, 24/7 (no scheduling needed)
- Manual review and revision: Back-and-forth on changes (1+ hours)
- WUHLD: Preview and adjust instantly
This isn't cutting corners. It's using technology to eliminate inefficiencies while maintaining legal quality.
What's included in £49.99
WUHLD gives you everything you need in one price:
- Your complete, legally binding will
- 12-page Testator Guide (explaining how to execute your will properly)
- Witness Guide (for your witnesses to understand their role)
- Complete Asset Inventory document (tracking what you own)
No hidden fees:
- No storage charges
- No annual subscriptions
- No consultation fees
- No surprise costs
The preview-before-paying difference
You can create your entire will, preview it completely, and see exactly what you're getting before spending a penny. No credit card required. No pressure. Complete transparency.
This builds confidence. You're not buying a service hoping it'll work—you're seeing your finished will before deciding.
What WUHLD handles well
WUHLD is designed for straightforward UK estates:
- Estate value under £3M
- Standard beneficiaries (family, friends, charities)
- UK assets
- Standard guardianship provisions
- Clear distributions
For these situations, WUHLD delivers the same legal outcome as a solicitor at a fraction of the cost.
When to consider a solicitor instead
WUHLD is honest about limitations. Consider a solicitor for:
- Very complex inheritance tax planning (estates significantly over threshold)
- Offshore or complex international trusts
- Business succession with multiple partners
- Contested family situations likely to result in challenges
- Vulnerable beneficiaries requiring specialized protective trusts
Our complete guide to making a will helps you determine which option is right for your situation.
The value comparison
Solicitor average: £300-£400 for straightforward will WUHLD: £49.99 for straightforward will
Savings: £250-£350+
For a couple creating mirror wills: Solicitor average: £400-£600 WUHLD: £49.99 (covers both)
Savings: £350-£550+
These savings are meaningful for young families, first-time homeowners, and anyone making a will for the first time.
Real Cost Comparisons: Five Scenarios
Let's look at real situations and what each option would cost.
Scenario 1: Young couple with children (renting)
Meet Sarah and Tom:
- Ages: 32 and 34
- Children: Two (ages 3 and 5)
- Assets: Life insurance (£250,000), savings (£30,000), cars
- Total estate: Approximately £180,000
- Needs: Name guardians, split assets between children
Cost options:
- Solicitor: £200-£400 for mirror wills
- WUHLD: £49.99
- Free Wills Month: Not eligible (under 55)
Best choice: WUHLD Why: Straightforward estate, standard guardianship needs. Saving £150-£350 is significant for a young family budget.
Scenario 2: Single homeowner, adult children
Meet Jennifer:
- Age: 52
- Children: Three adult children (ages 24, 27, 30)
- Assets: House (£380,000), pension, savings (£40,000)
- Total estate: Approximately £420,000
- Needs: Equal split to three children, simple distribution
Cost options:
- Solicitor: £150-£300 for single will
- WUHLD: £49.99
- Free Wills Month: Not eligible (under 55, and not during March/October)
Best choice: WUHLD Why: Simple equal distribution, under inheritance tax threshold, no special provisions needed. Saves £100-£250.
Scenario 3: Retired couple approaching IHT threshold
Meet David and Patricia:
- Ages: 67 and 65
- Children: Two adult children
- Assets: House (£600,000), savings/investments (£250,000)
- Total estate: £850,000
- Needs: Residency nil-rate band planning, efficient distribution to children
Cost options:
- Solicitor: £400-£800 for mirror wills with IHT advice
- WUHLD: £49.99 (but may lack tax planning features)
- Free Wills Month: Eligible, but may be too basic for IHT planning
Best choice: Consider mid-tier solicitor for tax planning Why: Estate over £650,000 combined (above nil-rate bands), potential IHT implications. Could start with WUHLD to understand needs, then consult tax advisor separately, or pay for solicitor to handle both together.
Scenario 4: Business owner with complex assets
Meet Richard:
- Age: 55
- Business: Limited company worth £1.2M
- Other assets: House (£500,000), investments (£300,000)
- Total estate: £2M+
- Needs: Business succession, shareholder agreement considerations, IHT planning, trust provisions
Cost options:
- Specialist solicitor: £800-£1,500+ for complex will
- WUHLD: £49.99 (not suitable for this complexity)
Best choice: Specialist solicitor Why: Business succession requires expert advice, estate significantly over IHT threshold, potential Business Property Relief considerations. The £800-£1,500 cost is justified for the complexity and potential tax savings (could save £100,000+ in IHT).
Scenario 5: Single person over 55, simple estate, charity beneficiary
Meet Margaret:
- Age: 68
- Children: None
- Assets: Flat (£280,000), savings (£40,000)
- Total estate: £320,000
- Needs: Leave flat to niece, savings to cancer charity
Cost options:
- Free Wills Month: £0 (eligible, perfect timing in March/October)
- WUHLD: £49.99
- Solicitor: £150-£300
Best choice: Free Wills Month if during eligible months, otherwise WUHLD Why: Simple estate, straightforward distribution. If Free Wills Month isn't for another 4-5 months, £49.99 to WUHLD gives immediate peace of mind rather than waiting.
The pattern
Straightforward estates (Scenarios 1, 2, 5): Online services save hundreds Complex estates (Scenario 4): Specialist advice worth the investment Borderline cases (Scenario 3): Depends on comfort with DIY tax planning vs paying for advice
How to Choose the Right Option for Your Budget
Making the right choice requires understanding your estate, your needs, and what represents genuine value.
Step 1: Assess your estate complexity
Grab a piece of paper and list:
Your assets:
- Property (values)
- Savings and investments
- Business interests
- Pensions (note: usually pass outside your will via nomination forms)
- Life insurance (if not already nominated)
- Personal possessions of value
Your beneficiaries:
- Who do you want to inherit?
- Are distributions straightforward or complicated?
- Do you want to exclude anyone who might otherwise expect to inherit?
Special circumstances:
- Children under 18 needing guardians?
- Blended family considerations?
- Vulnerable beneficiaries needing trusts?
- Business succession needs?
- Overseas assets?
- Inheritance tax concerns (estate over £325,000 for single person, £650,000 for couples)?
Step 2: Match to service level
Simple estate? Use online service:
- Everything to spouse, or equal split to children
- UK assets only
- Under £1M (or under IHT threshold with no planning needs)
- No business assets
- No complicated family dynamics → WUHLD or similar online service (£49-£100)
Moderate estate? Online or mid-tier solicitor:
- Multiple beneficiaries with different gifts
- Approaching or slightly over IHT threshold but straightforward planning
- Standard guardianship needs
- Some specific bequests → WUHLD (£49.99) or mid-tier solicitor (£200-£400) depending on your preference for face-to-face advice
Complex estate? Specialist solicitor:
- Significant IHT liability requiring planning
- Business assets needing succession planning
- Trusts for vulnerable beneficiaries
- Overseas assets
- Contested family situations → Specialist solicitor (£500-£1,500+)
Step 3: Calculate true cost over time
Don't just compare the initial price. Calculate:
Initial price + (annual storage × 10 years) + (estimated updates × cost per update) = Total 10-year cost
Example:
- Solicitor: £300 + (£40 storage × 10) + (2 updates × £150) = £1,000 total
- WUHLD: £49.99 + (£0 storage) + (2 new wills × £49.99) = £149.97 total
The true cost difference is often larger than you think.
Step 4: Evaluate value, not just price
Ask yourself:
- Will this will be legally valid? (All properly designed services = yes)
- Do I get the support level I need? (Match to your confidence)
- Will I have peace of mind? (Important for any price)
- Can I afford this comfortably? (Don't overspend, but don't risk invalidity either)
Step 5: Make your decision and act
Don't let decision paralysis win. Having any properly executed will is better than no will.
If you're still unsure:
- For straightforward estate: Try WUHLD's free preview. See your complete will before paying. Zero risk.
- For complex estate: Get quotes from 2-3 solicitors. Compare not just price but expertise.
Action checklist:
- Do I have a simple, straightforward estate? (Yes/No)
- Am I over 55 and can I wait for Free Wills Month? (Yes/No)
- Do I need specialist tax planning or business succession advice? (Yes/No)
If Yes to #1 and No to #3: Use WUHLD or similar online service If Yes to #2: Register for Free Wills Month If Yes to #3: Consult specialist solicitor
Most importantly: Create your will this week.
You've done the research. You understand the costs. Don't let another month or year pass without this critical protection in place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is an online will as legally valid as a solicitor's will?
A: Yes, if properly executed. A will's legal validity depends on meeting the requirements of the Wills Act 1837: you must be over 18 and of sound mind, the will must be in writing and signed by you, and your signature must be witnessed by two independent witnesses. How the will was created doesn't affect validity—a well-drafted online will has the same legal standing as a solicitor-drafted will.
Q: What's the cheapest way to make a valid will in the UK?
A: Free Wills Month (March and October) for people over 55, or Will Aid in November, are the cheapest options at £0 or suggested donation. For those who don't qualify, online services like WUHLD at £49.99 offer the best value for straightforward estates. Basic templates at £20-£40 are cheapest but carry higher risk of errors.
Q: Do I have to pay to store my will?
A: No, you don't have to pay for will storage. With WUHLD, you keep your original will at no storage cost. Some solicitors charge £25-£50 annually or £100-£200 one-time for storage, but you can always decline their storage service and keep your will yourself at home or in a bank safety deposit box.
Q: How much does it cost to update a will?
A: Solicitors typically charge £50-£150 for minor updates and £100-£300 for major updates. Some online services charge similar amounts. With WUHLD, when you need significant changes, you create a new will for £49.99 rather than amending the old one. Minor changes via codicil cost £30-£70 with most solicitors, but codicils can create confusion—a fresh will is often better.
Q: Are free wills really free?
A: Free Wills Month is genuinely free if you're over 55 and have a simple estate, though you may only access it during March or October. Will Aid suggests donations of £120 (single) or £200 (mirror wills) to charity, so it's more "donation-funded" than truly free. Charity will schemes are free but come with an expectation (not requirement) that you'll leave a legacy gift to the charity.
Q: Can I create a will for under £50 that's legally valid?
A: Yes. WUHLD offers complete, legally valid wills for £49.99. Some basic template services charge £20-£40, though these require more legal knowledge to complete correctly. Free Wills Month costs £0 for eligible over-55s. The key is ensuring the will is properly drafted and correctly executed—cheap doesn't mean invalid, as long as it meets legal requirements. Learn how to make your will in just 15 minutes.
Q: What hidden costs should I watch for when making a will?
A: Watch for storage fees (£25-£50/year or £100-£200 one-time), update costs (£50-£150 per update), codicil fees (£30-£70 each), consultation fees beyond initial quote (£150-£300/hour for solicitors), and annual subscription fees (some online services charge £30-£60/year). Always ask for a complete breakdown of all costs, including storage and updates, before committing.
Make Your Will Today: It Costs Less Than You Think
You now know exactly what wills cost in the UK and how to find genuine value for your situation.
Key takeaways:
- Will costs range from free (if eligible) to £1,500+ depending on service type and estate complexity
- Straightforward estates can use online services (£49-£240) and save £300-£600 compared to solicitors
- Hidden costs like storage (£25-£50/year), updates (£50-£150), and codicils (£30-£70) can double your total spend over time—always ask upfront
- Complexity justifies cost: simple distribution suits low-cost services, complex tax planning justifies higher solicitor fees
- Best value means matching service level to your actual needs—don't overpay or underpay
James from our opening story? He discovered WUHLD, created his will in 15 minutes for £49.99, and finally has peace of mind knowing his children are protected. He saved £600 compared to solicitor quotes and used the money to start an emergency fund instead.
The cost of NOT having a will is infinitely higher than any will-writing fee. Without a will, intestacy rules decide who inherits—often not what you would have wanted. Family disputes, court involvement, and potential estrangement cost far more than £49.99.
Create your will today for £49.99—less than a month's Netflix subscription but infinitely more important. With WUHLD, you'll get your complete, legally binding will plus three essential guides (Testator Guide, Witness Guide, Asset Inventory). Preview your entire will free before paying anything—no credit card required, no pressure, complete transparency.
It takes 15 minutes and could be the most valuable £49.99 you ever spend. Your family deserves this protection.
Preview Your Will Free – No Payment Required
Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information about will costs in the UK and does not constitute legal advice. Prices quoted are estimates based on 2025 market research and are subject to change. For advice specific to your individual situation, please consult a qualified solicitor. WUHLD's online will service is suitable for straightforward UK estates; complex situations may require professional legal advice.
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