You don't have to use a solicitor to make a will. But it's worth knowing that in England and Wales will writing isn't regulated, so the protection you get varies a lot depending on who you use.
Your main options
- Solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and must have professional indemnity insurance. Many specialise in wills, trusts and powers of attorney.
- Professional will writers may belong to a voluntary body with a code of practice and insurance requirements. Standards vary.
- Online and DIY wills can work for very simple situations.
When specialist advice matters most
- Unmarried couples, second marriages and step-families.
- Leaving money to a disabled or vulnerable person.
- Owning a business, farm or property abroad.
- Estates likely to pay inheritance tax.
- Anyone whose will might be challenged.
Mistakes that cost families
Wills that aren't signed and witnessed properly, gifts that fail, wills cancelled by marriage, and trusts that don't work for benefits all cost families money and stress, and they're usually only discovered after death, when they can't be fixed.
Want someone qualified to look at your situation? We can put you in touch with a specialist, such as a solicitor who deals with wills. Request a call back.
Frequently asked questions
Is will writing regulated?
No. In England and Wales anyone can write a will for someone else, with no qualifications or regulator. Solicitors are regulated and insured whatever work they do, and some will writers belong to voluntary professional bodies with their own codes.
Are online wills valid?
An online service can prepare a will, but it must still be printed, signed and witnessed correctly to be valid. Simple online wills suit simple situations.
What should I ask before choosing?
Who will actually write the will, what qualifications and insurance they have, whether they're regulated or belong to a professional body, what the fixed price includes, and where the original will is stored.
Request a call back
Tell us a little about your situation and we'll call you, usually within one working day, to understand what you need. If it would help, we'll then put you in touch with a specialist, such as a solicitor who deals with wills and powers of attorney. We'll always tell you who they are before passing on your details. We don't give advice ourselves, and there's no obligation.