What are the best online will writing services in the UK?

It’s difficult to imagine what will happen when you pass away, but it’s important to devise a plan to ensure your assets are passed on to your loved ones. 

If you die without a will, your money and possessions may not be distributed as you anticipated, which can be a big issue if you’re unmarried or not in a civil partnership. 

Having a will also means you can ensure you have arrangements in place if you have any children, and if you plan ahead, you may be able to reduce your inheritance tax (IHT) bill.

How much does a will cost? 

The price you pay for a will largely depends on the complexity of your affairs.  

According to MoneyHelper, getting a solicitor to draw up a will can cost between £150 and £2,400, so it’s worth shopping around. 

Some factors that might bump up the cost include if you are divorced and have children or need to cover trusts or overseas properties. 

While using a solicitor is more expensive than an online service, it’s worth considering if you have complex affairs, overseas assets, run a business that’ll be part of your estate, or need to pay inheritance tax when you die.    

What to consider before writing a will 

Before you start writing your will, there’s a lot to consider, including: 

• What assets you (and your partner) have, including money, property and investments. 
• Who you want your beneficiaries to be, what you want to leave them, and if you wish to donate any assets to charity. 
• Who your executors will be - they will be responsible for managing your estate and carrying out your final wishes. 
• Who should look after your children. 

The best online will writing services in the UK 

Before we reveal the best online will writing services, it’s worth stressing if you have complex affairs, these services may not be right for you.  

It’s worth checking if a will writing firm is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), as this offers the same protection you would have with a solicitor.  

While some firms may not be regulated by the SRA, the solicitors who work for them might be. It’s a good idea to check before choosing the best service.

1. Farewill 

Farewill allows you to write your own will within 15 minutes. You write your will online, which is approved by its specialists within five days.

Once approved, you must print and sign it before two witnesses. 

It costs £100 for an online will or £160 for a mirror will - these are nearly identical wills for couples. A telephone will costs £240 for one person or £380 for two.  

If you pay £10 a year, you can update your will as many times as needed. 

The company has a good reputation, winning National Will Writing Firm of the Year four years in a row.  

2. Co-op Legal Services 

Co-op Legal Services, regulated by the SRA, offers a will writing service.  

To get started, you’ll need to fill out a questionnaire – this can take up to 20 minutes. 

The company will then call you to make sure the will is right for you before sending you a copy of your will to approve and sign in front of witnesses.  

It costs £150 for an individual will or £245 if you want to create a mirror will. 

3. Make A Will Online 

Make A Will Online uses SRA-regulated solicitors to check any wills.  

Similar to other online will writing services, you answer some questions and review them before the will is checked by a solicitor.

You’ll then get your will over email or in the post. It costs £60 for a single will or £90 for a pair.  

Can I get a will for free? 

Sometimes charities or solicitors offer free or cheap will writing services, but these tend to only cover simple wills.

This usually happens in March or October for ‘Free Wills Month.’ There's also 'Will Aid' in November.

As the charity is paying for your will (or the solicitor is waiving their fee), many people choose to donate if they can or leave a donation in their will.

Other charities may offer free will writing services, so it’s worth checking beforehand. 

If you’re planning to review your finances or inheritance planning and need guidance, a financial adviser may be able to help.

Unbiased can connect you to an FCA-regulated financial adviser.