# How much does a will cost? Compare the help included

> Cost of · Content updated 12 September 2026

Canonical HTML: https://moneyguide.org.uk/cost-of/a-will-uk/
Markdown mirror: https://moneyguide.org.uk/cost-of/a-will-uk.md

## In short

MoneyHelper lists DIY templates up to £30, basic non-solicitor will-writing often around £50–£350, and solicitor wills from at least £200. Complex work can cost much more. Treat these as broad benchmarks and compare current quotes for the same level of help.

The lowest price is not always the right service for your circumstances. A document tool, individual solicitor review and bespoke legal advice provide different levels of help. The broad benchmarks below were checked against MoneyHelper on 12 September 2026. SwiftWill is a related service: it shares Money Guide's operator, Elite Digital AI Solutions Ltd.

Typical range: 0–350 £ (basic non-solicitor options; not a quote or price cap)

## What makes up the cost

| Item | Range | Note |
| --- | --- | --- |
| DIY template | Free to £30 | MoneyHelper benchmark; no individual legal advice |
| Non-solicitor will-writing service | Often £50–£350 for a basic will | MoneyHelper benchmark; services and protection vary |
| SwiftWill automated document preparation | Check current provider price | For eligible straightforward England and Wales estates; no individual solicitor review |
| Solicitor | From at least £200; complex work costs more | MoneyHelper benchmark; request a written quote including VAT |
| Charity, union or employer scheme | Check eligibility and terms | Scope, donations and extra-work charges differ |
| Updates, storage or registration | Ask for a separate quote | Registration of a location is different from physical storage |
| Professional executor or probate work | Separate from drafting | Ask how charges are calculated and whether appointment is optional |

## What changes the figure

- Your jurisdiction and any overseas connections
- Trusts, business assets, blended families or vulnerable beneficiaries
- Automated preparation versus individual advice or review
- One person's will or two separate mirror wills
- Updates, printing, safe storage and any executor appointment

## Ways to spend less

- [Check SwiftWill's current price and eligibility](https://swiftwill.co.uk/) if you want guided preparation for a straightforward England and Wales estate. You still arrange witnesses and signing.
- Ask each provider the same questions: what does the quote cover, who checks the draft, how are later changes charged, and what happens if you need to retrieve the original?
- Check any [free or charity scheme](/family-life/free-and-charity-will-schemes-uk/) you qualify for. Do not assume all schemes cover complex instructions or require the same donation.
- For a blended family, overseas property, trusts or tax planning, use individual legal advice before choosing a low-cost form.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is SwiftWill a solicitor service?

It provides automated document preparation for suitable England and Wales circumstances. It does not include individual solicitor review; complex decisions need tailored advice.

### Can I make a will without paying?

DIY drafting can be free, and some charity or workplace schemes may help. Correct wording and execution still matter, whatever you pay.

### Are storage and registration the same?

No. Storage keeps the physical signed document safe; registration records where it is. Ask what each service actually provides.

### How can I compare a solicitor with an online tool?

Compare the scope first. Ask whether a qualified person reviews your instructions and provides advice, then compare the full price, changes, storage and complaints arrangements.

## Sources

- [MoneyHelper: will-writing options and cost benchmarks](https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/family-and-care/death-and-bereavement/how-to-write-a-will-and-how-much-does-it-cost)
- [GOV.UK: writing a will and when to get advice](https://www.gov.uk/make-will/writing-your-will)

---

Independent UK money guidance from [Money Guide](https://moneyguide.org.uk). Information only — not regulated financial advice.