05/02/2026
If this has been on your "To Do" list for as long as you can remember, please read our jargon-free guide below.
WARNING......It's a very long read, but worth it.
If you are one of the nearly 60% of adults in the UK without a Will, here's our sensible guide you may find useful?
Lets' start with the "basics", how do I actually get a Will?
There are three options available, all of which have "pros" and "cons". In no particular order these are;
Option 1; Use a Solicitor, most Solicitors offer a Will writing service, most of the times you would be expected to visit their office during their regular opening times, and you should always confirm that the Solicitor has the relevant knowledge and experience, not all do as they may specialise in another area of the Law. Always find out exactly how much the Will is going to cost, and whether you might face any extra fees if the Solicitor doesn't class yours as a "Simple Will". Prices vary from practice to practice, but expect to pay between £300 and £500 for a "simple" Mirror Will. The most important thing to confirm is whether your choice of Solicitor is actually going to provide advice based on you situation and requirements, or whether they will simply be taking your "instruction". This could make a huge difference in the future.
Option 2; Use a specialist Will writer. Unlike Solicitors, most Will writers are very happy to visit you in the comfort and privacy of your home when it's convenient for you, some even provide a free, no-obligation appointment for this. Always check that the Will writer is a member of either the Society of Will Writers, or the Institute of Professional Will Writers, this is important as it provides peace of mind that they have not simply set themselves up as a Will Writer and have little or no actual knowledge. It also ensures that the Will writer has something called Professional Indemnity Insurance for at least £1,000,000 (most of us have double that) which is absolutely vital as a Will writer rarely, if ever simply take an instruction, they always provide bespoke advice and guidance to ensure that your Will completely matches your specific needs. As with Solicitors, always get an exact quotation for the Will, again prices are going to vary but they should be a little cheaper than Solicitors fees and are typically between £150 and £300 for simple Mirror Wills.
Before looking at the third option it is certainly worth mentioning a fact which most people are unaware of or simply missunderstand.
Currently Wills are NOT regulated in the UK. This means that an individual Solicitor or Will writer may be regulated by either the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (Solicitors) or The Society of Will Writers (Specialist Will writer) but the Will they produce is not regulated. In our opinion this makes Professional Indemnity Insurance vital if in the unlikely event that the Will does not do everything expected of it. Unfortunately, this will only ever come to light after the death of the individual who's Will it was. Currently it doesn't matter whether you have used the most expensive Solicitor or Will Writer, if they make a mistake (who can honestly say they have never made a mistake) the only recourse a family has is via the Professional Indemnity Insurance, we would recommend asking to see a copy of the schedule if possible.
Option 3; You can go down the "D.I.Y" route, whether that's a kit from W.H.Smiths or a "Free Guide" available from most if not all Charities. These are only just a little bit better than no Will at all, and if you are considering this option always remember that any error, however small could cause the Will to be invalid and your loved ones will not have any protection as they are treated as "Ex*****on Only" and you are assumed to fully understand and be aware of the implications of your actions, this also makes the Will easier for someone to challenge successfully.
So, there you have it our advice would be to take your time, speak to as many Solicitors/Will Writers as you need to. Ask questions we are here to help you make the right decisions for you and your family, when you are happy with your choice get it sorted the peace of mind having a Will sorted is amazing. One final bit of advice is to be wary of anyone other than a Solicitor who portrays themselves or their company as "Legal Professionals" if they haven't actually held any legal qualifications.
Thanks for reading, we did say it was a long read hopefully it's helped?
