Solicitor Will vs Online Will in the UK

Last updated: 7 April 2026

Over the past 15 years serving families in Washington, I’ve watched hundreds of people put off making their will because they couldn’t decide whether to pay a solicitor or use an online service. The irony is that this indecision often costs families far more in stress, time, and money than either option would have in the first place. Making a will is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your family—but the choice between a solicitor and an online service doesn’t have to be complicated. This article will walk you through the real differences, costs, and practical considerations so you can make the right choice for your circumstances. By the end, you’ll understand exactly which option suits your situation and why.

What Is a Will and Why It Matters

A will is a legal document that sets out how you want your money, property, and possessions to be distributed after you die. It also names an executor (the person who will carry out your wishes) and, if you have children under 18, allows you to say who should look after them. Without a valid will, the law decides who gets what through a process called the rules of intestacy—and this may not reflect your wishes at all.

I’ve seen families torn apart by uncertainty and disagreement when someone dies without a clear will. The person’s wishes are ambiguous, different family members have different ideas about what should happen, and what should have been a straightforward process becomes expensive legal work. This is why making a will—regardless of whether you choose a solicitor or online service—is something you should do sooner rather than later.

Solicitor Wills: What You’re Paying For

When you instruct a solicitor to draft your will, you’re paying for much more than just a document. A solicitor brings experience, legal knowledge, and professional responsibility to the process.

What’s Included in a Solicitor Service

• Personal consultation: You meet (or speak to) someone who listens to your circumstances and asks the questions that matter—about inheritance tax, business succession, estranged family members, or complex family situations.
• Legal advice: A solicitor will flag issues you might not have thought of, such as tax implications or how to protect a vulnerable beneficiary.
• Proper execution: Your solicitor will ensure the will is signed and witnessed correctly, reducing the risk of it being challenged later.
• Safekeeping: Many solicitors will store your will in their safe, so your family knows where to find it when you die.
• Estate administration guidance: If you appoint them as executor, they can handle probate and distribute your estate.

A typical solicitor will charge between £150 and £500 for a straightforward will, depending on complexity and your location. More complex estates (those involving property abroad, business interests, or trusts) will cost significantly more.

The Solicitor Advantage

The real value of a solicitor becomes clear when something unexpected arises. If you have a child from a previous relationship, own rental property, have significant savings, or anticipate family disagreement about your wishes, a solicitor will help you structure your will in a way that withstands challenge and protects your loved ones.

For families in Washington who’ve experienced bereavement and subsequent legal complications, having started with professional advice often makes the difference between a smooth process and a lengthy, costly dispute.

Online Wills: How They Work and What They Cost

Online will services have become increasingly popular over the past decade. You answer a series of questions online, the service generates a document based on your answers, and you download, print, sign, and store it yourself. The most straightforward way to make an online will is to answer guided questions, then sign the document in front of two independent witnesses.

How to Use an Online Will Service

• Create an account and answer questions about your estate, beneficiaries, and executor.
• Review the draft will generated by the service.
• Download and print the final document.
• Sign it in front of two witnesses (who must not benefit from your will and must be aged 18+).
• Store it safely (many online services offer optional storage for a fee).

Most online will services charge between £20 and £100, making them one-tenth the cost of a solicitor. Some charge a one-off fee; others charge annually for storage and updates.

The Limitations of Online Wills

The main limitation is that you’re entirely responsible for making sure your will covers all the right areas and is correctly executed. If your situation is straightforward (you’re married with no complex assets, no children from other relationships, and you’re confident about who should inherit what), an online service works well. But if you have any doubts or complications, there’s no one to ask.

Legal Validity: Are Both Options Enforceable?

This is the question that worries many people, and the answer is straightforward: both a solicitor will and an online will are legally valid in the UK, provided they meet the same legal requirements.

The Legal Requirements for a Valid Will in the UK

To be legally binding, your will must:

• Be in writing (handwritten or typed).
• Be signed by you in the presence of two independent witnesses.
• Be signed by both witnesses in your presence and in the presence of each other.
• Show that you had the mental capacity to make a will (you understood what you owned and what you were doing).
• Show that you were not under pressure or undue influence from anyone.

A will created by a solicitor meets these requirements because the solicitor ensures the execution is done correctly and can provide evidence of your capacity if questioned later. An online will meets these requirements only if you personally ensure the signing and witnessing are done correctly. If your online will is not signed and witnessed correctly, it will not be valid, and your estate will be distributed according to intestacy rules instead.

The difference is not about legality—it’s about evidence and risk. A solicitor-drafted will comes with professional evidence that it was done correctly. An online will relies entirely on you getting the procedural details right.

When a Solicitor Is the Right Choice

You should seriously consider instructing a solicitor if:

• Your estate is complex: You own more than one property, have rental income, hold shares, or have a business interest.
• You have children from more than one relationship: A solicitor can help you balance your wishes fairly and reduce the risk of legal challenge.
• You want to protect a vulnerable beneficiary: A solicitor can set up a trust to manage money for someone who cannot manage it themselves (a child, someone with a learning disability, or someone with addiction issues).
• You have significant assets: A solicitor can advise on inheritance tax planning and help you reduce what your family will owe.
• You expect family disagreement: A solicitor can document your reasons and decisions in a way that makes them harder to challenge.
• You want your will stored safely: If you’re worried about losing your document or your family not being able to find it, a solicitor’s safe storage is invaluable.
• You’re not sure about the legalities: If you have any doubt about what you’re doing or whether you’re doing it right, ask a professional rather than guessing.

As someone who’s supported families through complex inheritance situations after a death, I can tell you: the £200 you save by using an online will is often lost ten times over if that will is later challenged or found to be invalid. Your family will thank you for getting professional advice.

When an Online Will Works Well

An online will is a sensible choice if:

• Your estate is simple: You have a modest amount of savings, one home (or rent), and straightforward wishes about who inherits.
• You’re married and have no children from other relationships: Your wishes are likely to leave most of your estate to your spouse and then to your children—a very standard arrangement.
• Everyone in your family agrees: There’s no history of conflict, no one is likely to dispute your wishes, and no one feels left out.
• You’ve thought clearly about what you want: You know who should inherit, who should be your executor, and whether you want anyone to look after minor children.
• You’re confident about the signing and witnessing process: You understand that you need two independent adult witnesses and that you must all sign in the right order.

Online wills also work well as a starting point if you’re not ready to see a solicitor yet. Making an online will is better than making no will at all—and you can always update it later or take it to a solicitor for a second opinion.

Making Your Online Will as Safe as Possible

If you’re using an online service, take these steps to reduce risk:

• Choose a reputable service (look for reviews and check they’re GDPR-compliant).
• Ask a trusted friend or family member to review your draft before you finalize it.
• Read the entire document before printing and signing—don’t skip sections.
• Make sure your witnesses are truly independent (not beneficiaries, not married to beneficiaries, not living at the same address as you).
• Sign and have witnesses sign using permanent pen, not pencil.
• Keep your will somewhere safe where your family will find it (not hidden away or forgotten).

Cost Comparison at a Glance

Solicitor Will

Upfront cost: £150–£500 (more for complex estates)

Includes: Personal advice, legal review, proper execution, storage, and ongoing support.

Online Will

Upfront cost: £20–£100

Includes: Document generation and download. Storage may incur additional costs. No professional advice or review.

The decision isn’t just about the cost of making the will—it’s about the cost of getting it wrong. If your family has to go to court to clarify what you meant, or if your will is found to be invalid, or if someone challenges its validity, those costs can run into thousands.

Wills in the Context of Planning for the End of Life

Making a will is one part of end-of-life planning. It works hand-in-hand with decisions about where you’ll be buried or cremated, what kind of funeral or celebration of life you want, and what happens to your home and possessions.

When families come to us at Teal Farm to plan a wake or celebration of life, many of them mention that the person who’s died left clear wishes about what they wanted—and how much easier that made everything. A will is part of that clarity. It tells your family not just who inherits your money, but also what matters to you and how you want to be remembered.

If you’re thinking about your will, you might also want to think about writing an ethical will or a letter of wishes—a personal document that explains the story behind your decisions and the values you want your family to remember. This sits alongside your legal will and helps your family understand not just what you’re leaving them, but why.

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