Will Writing Services vs Solicitors: Which Should You Use?

What a Good Consultation Covers

If you are looking for a Will writing service in the UK, one of the first questions you will face is whether to use a specialist Will writer or a solicitor. It is a question that generates a surprising amount of confusion, partly because the estate planning industry is unregulated and partly because both options can produce an identical legal outcome.

The reality is that both Will writers and solicitors are capable of drafting a Will that is legally valid in England and Wales. The difference is not in the document itself. It is in the consultation behind it, the depth of experience the person brings to your circumstances, and whether the process genuinely stress tests your wishes against scenarios you may not have considered.

This article compares the two options side by side, covering cost, expertise, regulation, and what to look for when choosing someone to draft one of the most important documents you will ever sign.

Do You Need a Solicitor to Make a Will in the UK?

No. There is no legal requirement to use a solicitor to make a Will in the UK. A Will is legally valid provided it meets the formalities set out in the Wills Act 1837: it must be in writing, signed by the testator (the person making the Will), and witnessed by two people who are both present at the same time.

The law does not specify who must draft the document. A Will written by a specialist Will writer holds exactly the same legal weight as one drafted by a solicitor. What matters is whether the Will accurately reflects your wishes, covers the scenarios that need to be covered, and meets the correct legal formalities.

Where the choice becomes important is in the quality of the conversation that sits behind the document. A Will is only as good as the understanding that went into drafting it. Whether you use a solicitor or a Will writer, the person drafting your Will needs to take the time to learn about your family, your financial circumstances, and what you are trying to achieve.

How Will Writers and Solicitors Differ in Practice

The most significant practical difference between Will writers and solicitors is focus. Will writers tend to specialise exclusively in Wills, trusts and estate planning. It is what they do every day. Solicitors, by contrast, typically cover a broader range of legal services, and Will writing may be one of many areas they work in.

This distinction matters because estate planning requires a particular depth of knowledge about family structures, property ownership, tax planning, and the various legal mechanisms available to protect your estate. A specialist who works in this area full time is likely to encounter a wider range of scenarios and edge cases than a generalist solicitor who drafts a handful of Wills alongside conveyancing, family law and contract work.

That said, there are solicitors who specialise in private client work and estate planning. If you are choosing a solicitor, look for one with specific expertise in Wills and trusts rather than a general practice that offers Will writing as an additional service.

How Much a Will Costs With a Will Writer vs a Solicitor

Cost is one of the first things people compare, and for good reason. Understanding how much a Will costs in the UK helps you weigh up what each option includes.

Provider	Typical Cost (Single Will)	Fee Structure
Professional Will writer	£150 to £300	Usually fixed fee
High street solicitor	£200 to £500+	Fixed fee or hourly

Will writers generally operate on a fixed fee basis, meaning the price is agreed upfront after an initial consultation and does not change. Solicitors may charge a fixed fee or an hourly rate, which can make the final cost less predictable, particularly if your situation requires more discussion than originally anticipated.

The cost depends on the complexity of your estate. Professional Will writing services typically charge fixed fees that are confirmed after an initial discussion of your circumstances. At Elwyn & Mabel Estate Planning we will charge £150 + VAT for a simple Will.

The key point is this: a higher fee does not automatically mean a better Will. What matters is the quality of the consultation behind it and whether the person drafting your Will has taken the time to understand your circumstances properly.

Why Regulation and Qualifications Matter More Than the Title

Solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). They must meet professional standards, carry professional indemnity insurance, and adhere to a code of conduct. This provides a baseline level of consumer protection.

Will writers are not regulated in the same way. The estate planning sector in the UK is unregulated, meaning anyone can technically set up as a Will writer without specific qualifications. This is one of the most common concerns people raise, and it is a valid one.

However, many Will writers voluntarily hold professional memberships and qualifications that provide meaningful reassurance. When choosing the best will writing service in the UK, look for:

• Membership of STEP (the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners), the leading global professional body for estate planning
• Accreditation through the BEST Foundation (the accrediting body for estate planners in the UK)
• Professional indemnity insurance and evidence of continuing professional development

The title on someone’s business card tells you less than their qualifications, memberships and track record. A specialist Will writer with STEP membership and years of focused estate planning experience may well be better placed to handle your Will than a solicitor who drafts Wills occasionally alongside other legal work.

Why the Consultation Matters More Than Anything Else

The quality of the consultation is the single most important factor in whether your Will does its job properly. Regardless of whether you choose a Will writer or a solicitor, the person drafting your Will should conduct a thorough estate planning consultation that covers far more than simply asking who gets what.

A good consultation explores your family background, your financial circumstances, the way your assets are owned, and any potential areas of contention. It should cover multiple scenarios: Plan A (your primary wishes), Plan B (what happens if your main beneficiaries predecease you), and Plan C (further backup provisions for circumstances most people have not considered).

At Elwyn & Mabel, the estate planning consultation takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour. It is free and carries no obligation. People frequently arrive expecting a quick conversation about leaving everything to their spouse and children, only to discover there are many more nuances to consider. Who does not receive from your estate is often just as important as who does.

Clients consistently say they leave with more of an education than when they started, with a solid understanding of what they are putting in place, why, and the risk of not doing so. That depth of conversation is what separates a genuine estate plan from a document that simply records your current wishes without testing them.

How Proper Drafting Protects Your Will Against Challenge

One area that rarely comes up in the “Will writer vs solicitor” conversation is what happens if your Will is challenged after you pass. This is where the quality of the drafting process, regardless of who performs it, has significant consequences for your family.

A Larke v Nugus request is a formal set of questions directed at the person who drafted the Will, asking them to confirm the circumstances in which it was prepared. Did the testator understand what they were signing? Were there any concerns about capacity or undue influence? What was discussed? If the drafter cannot answer these questions satisfactorily, it opens the door to an argument that the Will is invalid.

With the rise of no win no fee solicitors pursuing claims against estates, a properly documented consultation record is more important than ever. Both Will writers and solicitors should be maintaining thorough records of the consultation. If a provider, whether a solicitor or a Will writer, does not follow a structured process that would withstand a Larke v Nugus challenge, that is a warning sign.

Why a Specialist Will Writer Is the Right Choice for Most People

For the majority of people writing a Will in the UK, a specialist Will writer offers focused expertise at a lower cost than most solicitors. Because Will writers work exclusively in estate planning, the consultation tends to be deeper and more thorough on the specific issues that affect your Will.

The process at Elwyn & Mabel is designed to be straightforward. After the free consultation, the Will is drafted and sent to you for review. If there are any amendments, corrections or additional gifts to include, those are incorporated. Within two to three weeks of the initial consultation, a signing meeting is arranged where the Will is reviewed one final time, signed and witnessed. As soon as the Will is signed, it is legally valid.

Everything is handled for you. There is no legal jargon, no hourly billing, and no unnecessary complexity. The approach is always to recommend the most straightforward solution that achieves what you are trying to do.

If you are exploring your options for estate planning more broadly, the ultimate guide to Wills and estate planning covers the full process from understanding the basics through to signing your completed Will.

What to Look for When Choosing Between a Will Writer and a Solicitor

Whether you choose a Will writer or a solicitor, these are the things worth checking before you commit:

• Do they offer a proper consultation before quoting a fee? Any provider who drafts a Will without first understanding your circumstances is cutting corners.
• Is the fee fixed or hourly? A fixed fee means no surprises. Hourly billing can escalate if your situation requires additional discussion.
• What qualifications and professional memberships do they hold? STEP membership, BEST Foundation accreditation and professional indemnity insurance are all meaningful indicators of quality.
• Do they stress test your wishes? A good estate planner covers Plan A, Plan B and Plan C, walking you through scenarios you may not have considered.
• Can they handle a Larke v Nugus request? The drafting process should be fully documented so the Will can be defended if it is ever challenged.

Be cautious of any provider who leads with complex or expensive products before understanding your situation. The best approach is usually the most straightforward one that achieves what you are trying to do. Unnecessary complexity is often driven by a desire to increase revenue, not to serve you.

TL;DR: Will Writing Services vs Solicitors: Which Should You Use?

Both Will writers and solicitors can draft a legally valid Will in the UK. For most people, a specialist Will writer offers focused estate planning expertise at a lower cost, while solicitors may be better suited for complex estates involving business assets, agricultural property or international elements.

• There is no legal requirement to use a solicitor to make a Will. Both Will writers and solicitors produce equally valid documents.
• Will writers typically charge £150 to £300 on a fixed fee basis. Solicitors typically charge £200 to £500 or more, sometimes on an hourly rate.
• The estate planning sector is unregulated. Check qualifications, professional memberships (STEP, BEST Foundation) and indemnity insurance regardless of which route you choose.
• The quality of the consultation matters more than the title of the person conducting it. A good estate planner covers Plan A, Plan B and Plan C.

Frequently asked questions