Free wills and low-cost will-writing in the UK — charity schemes, online services and what to avoid
Where a link is marked * or labelled Ad, it is a partner advertisement: we receive commission at no extra cost to you. Links without a * or Ad label earn us nothing. How we make money.
Quick answer: Making a will need not be expensive.
Making a will need not be expensive. [Free wills](swiftwill.co.uk/compare/swiftwill-vs-freewills*) usually mean a charity solicitor campaign (suggested donation) or a £0 website with later fees. A fixed-fee [online will](swiftwill.co.uk*) for a simple England and Wales estate can start from around £35; solicitor-backed platforms often sit nearer £90–£150. Charity campaigns such as Free Wills Month and Will Aid can also reduce the cost for straightforward estates.
Skip this if: Skip this page if you need a personal recommendation or a live quote. This is general UK information — confirm today's figures with the official source linked below.
Last reviewed:
Read the full family & care guide →Quick answer: How much does a will cost? →Primary source: www.gov.uk/make-will
What counts as free wills in the UK?
Free wills in the UK usually means one of three things: a solicitor appointment in Free Wills Month or Will Aid for a suggested charity donation; a bank, union or website that charges £0 now and later via storage or executor fees; or a DIY sheet of paper that costs nothing if you get witnessing right. None of those is automatically better than a cheap one-off [online will UK](swiftwill.co.uk*) document.
A 'free' will is only valuable if it is correctly drafted and witnessed. Section 9 of the Wills Act 1837 still applies. Compare the real cost — including updates and probate appointments — at [SwiftWill vs free wills](swiftwill.co.uk/compare/swiftwill-vs-freewills*) and [will cost UK](swiftwill.co.uk/will-cost*).
Online will services
Online will writing is not one product. Some tools are document-preparation software: you answer questions, download a PDF and arrange your own witnessing. [SwiftWill](swiftwill.co.uk*) is in that bracket for England and Wales — from £35 once for a single will, £55 for mirror wills, instant PDF, witnessing card, and free updates for life. It is not a law firm; complex estates still need a solicitor.
Other platforms bundle a solicitor or specialist review and typically charge from around £90 single / £150 mirror. Always read what is included (updates, storage, executor upsells) before paying.
Charity will-writing campaigns
Free Wills Month (March and October) and Will Aid run periodically across the UK. Participating solicitors waive their fee in return for a suggested charity donation — typically around £100–£150 for a simple single will. That is still a will writing service with a solicitor in the room; slots are limited and the campaign is not year-round.
A charity-arranged will is suitable for straightforward estates. If your circumstances are complex — discretionary trusts, business succession, foreign property, blended families needing tailored provision — a paid solicitor is still the safer route. How to make a will UK outside campaign months: [make a will online](swiftwill.co.uk/how-to-make-a-will*) or book a solicitor.
Other low-cost routes
Your employer or trade union may offer a will-writing benefit through legal-expenses insurance or flexible benefits. Check before paying privately.
Some banks and building societies offer will-writing on member terms. Read the small print on storage and probate-fee bundling — some 'free' wills come with a probate appointment that can be expensive at the back end.
Unregulated will-writing firms are usually cheaper than solicitors; if you use one, prefer members of a recognised code (for example the Institute of Professional Willwriters) with clear complaints and indemnity cover. Document tools such as [SwiftWill](swiftwill.co.uk*) (from around £35, IPW member, £2m PI, free lifetime updates) sit in that guided online bracket for simple England and Wales estates.
DIY will kits and online templates exist; they are legally valid if signed and witnessed correctly, but most disputes start in their wording. For anything beyond the simplest estate, the marginal cost of solicitor drafting is small compared to the risk of a contested estate later — see when to use a solicitor.
Always check that any solicitor you instruct is regulated by the relevant legal regulator — the SRA in England & Wales, the Law Society of Scotland, the Law Society of Northern Ireland, CILEx Regulation, or the Council for Licensed Conveyancers as applicable. Official overview: www.gov.uk/make-will
Online wills — what “good” looks like
Look for a clear one-off price (not a silent subscription), England and Wales (or nation-specific) drafting, witnessing instructions, and a suitability check that steers complex estates to a solicitor. [SwiftWill](swiftwill.co.uk*) publishes a one-time £35 / £55 [mirror wills](swiftwill.co.uk/mirror-wills*) fee, instant PDF, signing card and free lifetime updates when you re-sign.
An [online will is legal](swiftwill.co.uk/is-an-online-will-legal*) once printed and correctly witnessed — the screen draft alone is not enough. Compare prices at [will cost UK](swiftwill.co.uk/will-cost*).
Common questions
Are free wills actually free?
Charity campaigns waive the solicitor drafting fee for a suggested donation — not always £0. Some websites are free at the front and charge later via storage or an executor appointment. Compare [SwiftWill vs free wills](swiftwill.co.uk/compare/swiftwill-vs-freewills*).
How do charity will-writing campaigns work?
Campaigns such as Free Wills Month and Will Aid partner with solicitors who waive their drafting fee. You make a suggested charity donation instead — typically around £100–£150 for a simple will. Check freewillsmonth.org.uk and willaid.org.uk for current availability in your area.
Are online wills from a solicitor?
Some online services are run by regulated will-writers or solicitors; others are document platforms only (for example [SwiftWill](swiftwill.co.uk*) for England and Wales). Check who drafts the will, whether professional indemnity cover is in place, and whether updates cost extra. For trusts, business interests or foreign assets, use a solicitor.
What happens after the will is signed?
Keep the original somewhere safe and tell your executors where it is. If a solicitor drafted it, they often store the original; you keep a signed copy. You can also register the will on the National Will Register so it can be found after death.
Can I leave a gift to charity in a low-cost will?
Yes — include the charity’s full legal name and registered charity number. See leaving money to charity in a will. If you want to leave money to [World Aid Network](worldaidnetwork.org), name the charity in full so executors can pay it. Lifetime [donations](worldaidnetwork.org/donate) and [legacy gifts](worldaidnetwork.org/ways-to-donate) are listed on their site.