⚠️ This guide was researched and updated in May 2026. Laws and regulations change frequently. For specific legal advice regarding your jurisdiction, please consult with local legal counsel.
Choosing a Will Writer in the UK
In the UK you can write a will through a solicitor, a professional will writer, an online will maker or a DIY kit. This guide compares the routes and explains the credentials worth checking, so you can decide what fits your estate.
Four routes to writing your will
UK wills follow the signing and witnessing rules of the part of the UK they are made in, whichever route you choose: England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland each have their own. The routes differ mainly in cost and the amount of tailored advice you receive.
A solicitor
A solicitor can draft a bespoke will and advise on inheritance tax, trusts and complex family situations. Solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, which gives a clear complaints route. This is usually the most expensive option.
Highest cost · Regulated professional advice
A professional will writer
Will writers specialise in wills but are not always solicitors. Some belong to voluntary bodies such as the Society of Will Writers, so it is worth checking membership, qualifications and whether the firm carries professional indemnity insurance.
Mid-range cost · Focused on wills
An online will maker
An online will maker guides you through structured questions and produces a will you print, sign and witness. It can suit straightforward UK estates and typically costs less than a solicitor appointment.
Lower cost · Structured, self-guided
A DIY will kit
A shop-bought or printable kit is the cheapest route, but offers no prompts or checks. Errors in wording or witnessing can make a UK will invalid, so this route carries the highest risk.
Lowest cost · Highest risk of errors
How to choose the right route for you
There is no single “best” way to write a will. The right route depends on your circumstances. A few questions can help you weigh the options. If your situation is at all complex, it may be worth consulting a qualified professional before you decide.
- How straightforward your estate is. A modest estate with clear wishes needs less than one with business interests, trusts or assets in more than one country.
- Whether you need advice as well as a document. Some routes produce a will only, while others include professional guidance on tax and structure.
- The provider’s credentials: qualifications, regulation, professional-body membership and how complaints are handled.
- Total cost and what it covers. A low headline price may exclude storage, future updates or advice you later need.
- How the will is signed and witnessed. Every route still requires the formal signing and witnessing rules to be followed for the will to be valid.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a solicitor to write a will in the UK?
No. A UK will is valid whichever route you use, provided it meets the signing and witnessing rules for the part of the UK it is made in, which differ between England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. A solicitor may be worth the extra cost where an estate involves trusts, inheritance tax planning or a complex family situation. If in doubt, consider speaking to a qualified professional.
Are will writers regulated in the UK?
Will writing itself is not a reserved legal activity in the UK, so will writers are not regulated in the way solicitors are. Many belong to voluntary bodies that set codes of practice, so it is worth checking membership, qualifications and whether the firm carries professional indemnity insurance.
Is an online will legally valid in the UK?
A will made with an online will maker can be just as valid as one drafted in person, provided it is printed, signed and witnessed in line with the rules for your part of the UK. The difference lies in the level of tailored advice, not the validity of the document.
How much does a will cost in the UK?
Costs vary by route: DIY kits are cheapest, online will makers sit in the middle, and bespoke solicitor advice tends to cost the most. Compare what each price includes, such as storage, future updates or advice, before you decide.
Ready to make a start?
Whichever route you choose, the important thing is to have a valid, up-to-date will in place. You can begin online with structured prompts, or find a professional for advice on your own situation.
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