What does a will cost?
Our fees for will writing are very competitively priced and we hope that it might cost less than you would think to make a new will with us.
Our standard charge for a basic will starts at £220 plus VAT for a single will. The individual cost of a will works out at even less than that if you go for our basic ‘mirror’ wills option. The price of two basic mirror wills is £320 plus VAT per couple, which works out at just £160 plus VAT per will.
These prices include the following:
- taking your instructions,
- drafting the will to your complete satisfaction,
- making sure it is correctly signed and witnessed so that it is legally compliant and validly executed, and
- storage of your original Will in our strong room so that you can be sure it is safe, but also readily accessible.
While a ‘basic’ will is suitable for many people, it won’t be appropriate for every client. We offer a free initial consultation service, and will assess each case individually to establish your circumstances and requirements. This enables us to identify if there is any need to include more complex provisions and if so, advise you on any slightly higher costs. For example, do you need a life interest trust to be created or discretionary trust provisions to be included?
We will always be upfront and transparent about the suitable options for a bespoke will and the associated costs before you commit to any chargeable work being carried out on your behalf.
We know that DIY and homemade wills are popular. However, this is frequently a false economy, particularly with inheritance disputes on the rise. It is not uncommon for such disputes to arise as a result of poorly drafted, incomplete or incorrectly executed DIY or homemade wills. The costs that can then be subsequently incurred unravelling the legal complexities will far outweigh any savings made on the original will.
It is always important to keep any existing will under review and consider whether it needs updating or replacing. We aim to future-proof your new will as far as we can to include, for example, any intention to marry (or enter into a civil partnership) which would otherwise automatically invalidate your Will, or the potential arrival of children or grandchildren into the family in future.
Further, we find that making arrangements to suit blended family set-ups, provision for occupants of the family home, or addressing concerns about future care requirements are often matters at the forefront of peoples’ minds. We have down-to-earth, approachable and knowledgeable lawyers who are experienced in understanding your priorities and concerns and will advise you accordingly.
Having a suitable will in place can represent excellent value for money, both for your own peace of mind and as protection for the people and causes you care about.
In conclusion, the simple response to the question, “What does a will cost?” is that our charges start at £220 plus VAT for a basic single Will, or £320 plus VAT for a pair of mirror wills.
