Why Do We Always Think of Solicitors First?
When people start thinking about making a will, their first instinct is usually, “I need to find a solicitor.” It’s understandable—after all, solicitors handle legal matters, right? But here’s the thing: will writing isn’t just about legal formalities—it’s about making sure your loved ones are protected, your wishes are carried out properly, and your estate is handled in the most tax-efficient way possible. And this is where solicitors often fall short. I want to talk to you about the true cost of making a will with a solicitor.
In this guide, I’ll break down the true cost of making a will with a solicitor, both in terms of money and what you might lose by not getting the right advice. I’ll also show you the alternative options out there and explain why, at Online Probate, we believe will writing deserves more than just a legal tick-box exercise.
Do You Need a Will?
In short, if you’re over 18 and own any assets (home, savings), or more importantly – you have children – then, yes! If you don’t have a will the government will decide what happens to your money and property when you die. Each year the government makes millions in unclaimed estates because they die without a will and no named beneficiaries.
A will isn’t just about deciding who gets what—it’s about protecting your family, ensuring your assets go to the right people, and giving yourself peace of mind. Without one, you leave your estate in the hands of UK intestacy laws, which may not distribute your assets the way you’d like. There are so many scenarios where having a will is recommended. Take a look at our guide, Do I Need a Will. In it, we explore lots of different scenarios and explain what could happen in each situation when someone dies without a will in place.
What Does a Solicitor Actually Do When Writing Your Will?
Solicitors are general legal practitioners, which means they typically handle all sorts of cases—conveyancing, family law, disputes, and sometimes, will writing. And that’s the first problem: their expertise is spread too thin.
When a solicitor writes a will, their job is to ensure it’s legally valid. That’s it. They’ll take your instructions, write them down in the correct legal format, and have you sign it, along with some appropriate witnesses. What they don’t do is:
- Offer financial or inheritance tax advice (unless you pay extra for it)
- Help you structure your estate to avoid unnecessary tax burdens
- Give tailored advice on complex family situations (blended families, stepchildren, estranged relatives)
- Consider the long-term impact of your will on your loved ones.
And this is where people unknowingly lose out, big time.
I once spoke to a woman whose late husband had a will written by a solicitor. It was legally sound, but because no thought was given to inheritance tax, she ended up paying thousands more than necessary. If he’d had proper advice, that money could have stayed in the family.
How Much Does It Cost to Make a Will with a Solicitor?
Let’s talk numbers. Solicitors aren’t cheap, and while will writing might not be their biggest money maker, you can still expect to pay:
- £150–£300 plus VAT for a simple or basic will.
- £250–£600 plus VAT for a joint/mirror will (for couples).
- £500+ if your will involves trusts, multiple properties, overseas assets, or complex family structures.
However the cost of making a will with a solicitor are very generalised, so for the sake of context and accuracy we researched several solicitor firms in our local area of Market Harborough and found costs ranging from £258 – £420 for a single and basic will while joint mirror wills costs between £450 – £720 including VAT.
The most concerning thing with many solicitors is that there are lots of hidden costs. For more complex wills that might include step-children, shared property ownership, and multiple properties the cost soon spirals out of control.
Plus, if you ever need to update your will, some firms will charge another £100–£200 per change! Another big area of concern is some solicitors may encourage you to name them as executors by pushing the idea that the role of executor is really difficult. Solicitors then charge £1000s more to execute your will which is typically paid out of your estate when you die. Always remember to check the drafted version of your will and double check who has been named as executor. For more information remember to read our guide, How to Choose Executors of a Will.
Now, if you’re getting expert estate planning advice alongside that price tag, fair enough. But most people aren’t—they’re just paying for the legal paperwork, not the financial foresight.
The Free Will Writing Services: Are They Too Good to Be True?
A lot of charities and online platforms offer free will-writing services. These can be tempting, especially if you just want something simple in place. But before you jump at the opportunity, consider the hidden costs:
- No financial guidance—you just fill out a template with your details.
- No human support—if you have any questions or a unique situation, tough luck.
- No estate planning advice—so you might end up paying more inheritance tax than necessary.
- Risk of an invalid will—one small mistake, and your will could be contested.
A man I spoke to had used a free online service to draft his will. He thought he’d covered everything, but when I checked it, it wasn’t legally binding. Luckily, I was able to spot the errors he had made and draft a new, legally binding will that would ensure his wishes were carried out in the event of his death. While charities provide free wills they do often expect a legacy payment in your will which is usually a percentage of your estate being donated to the charity. There are a lot of positive reasons for donating to charity, including a reduction on your inheritance tax bill. Just make sure you fully understand what you’re signing up to.
The Smarter Alternative: Professional Will Writers
This is where professional will writers—like us at Online Probate—come in. Unlike solicitors, Wills, LPAs and Probate is all we do. Our entire focus is on making sure your will is not just legally valid, but also financially smart and future-proof.
Here’s why our approach is different:
- We provide expert financial advice alongside will writing.
- We take the time to understand your personal circumstances—whether that’s a complex family setup, second marriages, stepchildren, or a business to pass on.
- We help you minimise inheritance tax and protect your loved ones from unexpected costs.
- We offer flexible, jargon-free support, whether it’s over the phone, via video call, or even in person.
And the best part? Our pricing is clear, fair, and far more affordable than solicitors.
Why Online Probate is the Best Choice for Will Writing
Our team isn’t made up of general legal practitioners who dip in and out of will writing—we’re specialists. Every single member of our team is trained in wills and probate, and we’re all working towards the same goal: ensuring your loved ones are looked after properly.
Our co-founder, Jane, is a qualified solicitor with 23 years of experience. But instead of being tied to a traditional law firm, she wanted to create something better—a will-writing service that puts people first, not legal bureaucracy.
Extensive Experience
Together, Jane and I have 38 years of combined experience in will writing and we’ve helped countless individuals and families secure their legacies with confidence. Our deep knowledge of estate planning and 20 + years experience in financial services, ensures that every will we draft is legally sound, personalised, and designed to protect your loved ones. Whether you have straightforward wishes or complex family dynamics, our expertise means we can guide you through the process with ease and clarity. When you choose us, you’re not just getting a will, you’re getting peace of mind.
Quality will writing should be affordable and accessible without unnecessary legal fees. While solicitors charge hundreds of pounds for a basic will, experienced will writers—who specialise in estate planning—can provide the same level of expertise at a fraction of the cost.
The additional cost of making a will with a solicitor often come from overhead expenses, not necessarily better service. Why pay extra when an experienced will writer can provide the same legally valid, tailored will for significantly less?
For most people, cost-effective solutions that don’t compromise on quality are the best choice, making experienced will writers the smarter, more affordable alternative.
That’s why, at Online Probate, we:
- Offer real, expert advice, not just form-filling
- Take the time to ask the right questions, so you don’t miss key financial opportunities
- Make the process easy and stress-free, without the hefty solicitor price tag
- Give you peace of mind that your will is not just legal, but actually works in the best way for your family
- Choose how we take instruction and advise you. We can visit you at home or take you through everything on a video or phone call
- Plus, all of our will writing fees are a fixed price. With the exception of the £30 fee to register your will with the National Will Register.
Funeral Considerations
Finally, unlike solicitors and other Will Writers, we use our expert knowledge of funeral planning to help people make important decisions around their funeral. Many people don’t realise that funerals can be planned in advance, which not only saves your nearest and dearest a lot of anguish, but could potentially save you a lot of money. For a year I worked with a funeral directors and crematorium, consulting on many different aspects of the business. This gave me valuable insight into the many options available and gained valuable insight into the industry. Because of this, I always recommend that clients think about how they want to be remembered and show them how to plan their own funeral which we then incorporate into the will.
The Real Cost of Not Getting the Right Advice
The biggest mistake people make with their will is assuming that as long as it’s legally valid, everything will be fine.
But a badly planned will can lead to:
- Family disputes—stepchildren left out, assets wrongly distributed, feuding relatives
- Higher inheritance tax bills—money lost unnecessarily to HMRC
- Delays in probate—meaning loved ones wait months (or even years) for their inheritance. If you’re in this situation you can check out our guide to surviving Probate
- Assets not going where they should—especially if your family situation is complicated.
And all of this could have been avoided with the right advice from the start.
Final Thoughts: Choose a Will Writer Who Works for You, Not Against You
Making a will isn’t just about ticking a legal box—it’s about securing your family’s future.
If you go to a solicitor, you’ll get a legally sound will, but will it be financially sound? Probably not. If you use a free online service, you’ll get a will, but will it be reliable? That’s a gamble.
At Online Probate, we believe getting a will should be affordable, personal, and built on real expertise.
So, if you’re ready to write a will that truly protects your loved ones, let’s have a chat. No stuffy legal jargon, no unnecessary fees—just clear, expert guidance from people who care.
Get in touch today, and let’s make sure your will does what it’s supposed to: take care of the people you love.
