Emily, a 22-year-old Durham University student, had been putting off making a will for months. With £12,000 in savings from part-time work and a family inheritance, she knew it was important, but local solicitors quoted £150-£270.
When her flatmate's father passed away without a will, she realized she couldn't put it off any longer. With coursework deadlines looming and a student budget to manage, the thought of finding a solicitor and spending weeks on appointments felt impossible.
Meanwhile, 50,500 people in Durham—including over 16,000 university students—face the same decision. If you die without a will, the government decides who inherits, regardless of whether you're a student with modest savings or an academic with a £220,000 property.
This guide explains how you can create a legally binding will in Durham for £99.99 in just 15 minutes online—no solicitor appointment needed.
Will Writing in Durham
Whether you're a Durham University student with savings to protect, an academic with a young family in Neville's Cross, or a heritage enthusiast who's settled near the cathedral, a will ensures your estate goes to the people you choose.
In Durham, average property prices are £220,000—affordable compared to the UK average, though city centre properties command a premium over surrounding County Durham. Add savings, pensions, and investments, and most residents have estates worth protecting. Without a will:
- Your unmarried partner inherits nothing (even if you've lived together for decades)
- The government decides who raises your children
- Your estate could go to distant relatives you've never met
- Your family faces months of legal complications
For the 50,500 residents of Durham—more than half of whom are university students—making a will isn't just for older people. Durham is home to one of the UK's most prestigious universities, with over 16,000 students making up more than half the city's population, creating a unique community of young people who need affordable, accessible will-writing services.
International students with UK bank accounts, young professionals buying their first terraced house near the city centre, and established academics with growing families all need to protect what they've built.
UK intestacy rules are strict and often unfair. If you're an unmarried couple sharing a home in Durham, your partner could be left with nothing. If you're a student from overseas with savings in a UK account, UK intestacy law won't recognize your wishes for where those assets should go.
The solution is simple: make a will. In Durham, you don't need an expensive solicitor or weeks of appointments. WUHLD lets you create a complete, legally binding will in 15 minutes online.
How WUHLD's Online Will Service Works
Creating your will with WUHLD takes just 15 minutes. You don't need any legal knowledge or appointments. Here's how it works:
1. Answer Simple Questions
Our step-by-step platform guides you through everything:
- Who should inherit your estate
- Who should be your executors
- Guardians for your children (if applicable)
- Specific gifts or donations
- Your residuary estate distribution
2. We Generate Your Will
Based on your answers, we create a complete, legally valid UK will that meets all requirements under the Wills Act 1837.
3. Preview Free
You can review your entire will before paying anything. Make changes, adjust your wishes, or sleep on your decisions. No credit card required.
4. Download and Sign
When you're satisfied, pay £99.99 and download:
- Your complete will (legally binding)
- A 12-page Testator Guide (step-by-step signing instructions)
- A Witness Guide (for your witnesses)
- A Complete Asset Inventory (to help your executors)
5. Sign with Witnesses
Follow the guide to sign your will with two independent witnesses. Once signed, your will is legally valid and enforceable.
From start to finish: 15 minutes online. No solicitor appointments, no legal jargon, no stress.
Why Choose WUHLD for Your Will
Price: £99.99 vs £210
In Durham, solicitors charge between £150 and £270 for a will. We've researched local firms, and the average cost is around £210. Many Durham solicitors—including EMG Solicitors, Swinburne Maddison LLP, and Riley Langdon Solicitors—don't even publish their prices online, making it difficult to compare costs without making multiple phone calls.
WUHLD costs £99.99. One-time payment. No hidden fees. No subscriptions.
What you get for £99.99:
- Your complete, legally binding will
- A 12-page Testator Guide explaining how to execute your will properly
- A Witness Guide to give to your witnesses
- A Complete Asset Inventory document for your executors
Compare that to spending £150-£270 and taking time off from lectures or research to attend multiple solicitor appointments in Durham city centre.
Convenience: 15 Minutes vs Weeks
If you're a busy student juggling coursework and part-time work, or an academic balancing teaching, research, and administrative duties, finding time for solicitor appointments is hard.
WUHLD works around your schedule:
- Create your will at midnight from your student accommodation or college library if you want
- No travel to offices in Durham city centre (avoiding limited parking)
- No taking time off between lectures and seminars
- Make changes anytime before paying
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Durham attracts heritage enthusiasts, academics, and professionals who value the city's rich history—but also value their time. Between exploring the cathedral and castle or attending university events, you shouldn't have to spend weeks arranging solicitor meetings.
Preview Free Before Paying
Unlike solicitors who charge consultation fees, you can preview your entire will free with WUHLD. See exactly what you're getting before you spend a penny.
Don't like something? Change it. Need time to think? Take it. No pressure, no commitment until you're completely satisfied.
Legally Valid and Complete
WUHLD wills meet all UK legal requirements under the Wills Act 1837. They're accepted for probate across England and Wales, including Durham.
Thousands of people across the North East trust WUHLD for their will-writing needs, from Newcastle upon Tyne to Sunderland and throughout County Durham.
For Durham's Unique Community
Durham has an unusually young demographic due to its 16,000+ university students, but also includes established academics, professionals, and heritage enthusiasts drawn to this historic UNESCO World Heritage city. This creates diverse will-writing needs—from students protecting modest savings to professors planning complex estates.
Whether you're a first-time buyer purchasing a terraced property near the cathedral, an international student with UK savings, or an academic couple with young children, WUHLD makes will-writing accessible and affordable.
You've worked hard for your education, your home, or your savings in Durham (average property price: £220,000). Protect it with a will that costs less than a month of groceries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a solicitor to make a will in Durham?
No, you don't need a solicitor to make a legally valid will in Durham. Online services like WUHLD let you create a complete, legally binding will in just 15 minutes for £99.99—far less than the £150-£270 that local Durham solicitors typically charge for basic will writing services.
How much does a will cost in Durham?
Solicitors in Durham typically charge between £150 and £270 for a basic will, with more complex wills costing significantly more. WUHLD offers a complete will service for £99.99, including your will plus three essential guides (Testator Guide, Witness Guide, Asset Inventory).
Can Durham University students make a will online?
Yes, anyone over 18 can make a legally valid will online, including Durham University students. If you have savings, personal possessions, or want to name guardians for future children, WUHLD's online service makes it easy to protect your wishes for just £99.99. This is particularly important for international students who need clarity on UK intestacy rules.
How long does it take to make a will?
With WUHLD, you can create your complete will in about 15 minutes from anywhere in Durham—whether you're in the city centre, on campus, or in surrounding areas. Traditional solicitors can take weeks due to appointment scheduling and document preparation.
What happens if I die without a will in the UK?
If you die without a will in the UK, your estate is distributed according to intestacy rules. This means the government decides who inherits—your unmarried partner may get nothing, and your children's guardians will be chosen by the court, not by you. This is especially important for students and young professionals who may be cohabiting without marriage.
Get Your Will Done Today
You've read the facts. You understand the risks. Now it's time to act.
Creating a will isn't something you should put off. Whether you're a Durham student with £12,000 in savings, an academic with a £220,000 property, or a heritage enthusiast planning your estate, you've built something worth protecting.
WUHLD makes it simple:
- 15 minutes to create your complete will
- £99.99 one-time payment (vs £210+ for solicitors)
- Preview free before paying anything
- 4 essential documents included
- No subscriptions or hidden fees
Thousands of people across North East England trust WUHLD for their will-writing needs. You can preview your entire will free before deciding.
Don't leave your family's future to chance or the government's intestacy rules. From your student accommodation, college library, office between marking essays, or home near the cathedral—create your legally binding will today.
Preview Your Will Free – No Payment Required
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Serving Durham and the surrounding North East, including Chester-le-Street and extending south toward Darlington.
Legal Disclaimer:
This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. WUHLD is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Laws and guidance change and their application depends on your circumstances. For advice about your situation, consult a qualified solicitor or regulated professional. Unless stated otherwise, information relates to England and Wales.