Do you need a solicitor to make a will? In most cases in 2026, no - and the law itself doesn't require one. The Wills Act 1837 section 9 sets out who can make a valid will (any UK adult of sound mind), how it must be signed, and how it must be witnessed. It says nothing about who has to draft it.
That said, there are situations where a solicitor genuinely earns their fee. This is a plain-English guide to when you need one, when you don't, and what the alternatives look like.
The legal position
You can write your own will. You can ask a friend to write it for you. You can use a stationer's template. You can use a guided online will builder. You can hire a solicitor. You can hire a will writer who isn't a solicitor. None of these is legally privileged over any other in terms of producing a valid document.
What matters legally is:
- The will is in writing.
- You're an adult (18 or over) of sound mind.
- You sign it (or someone signs at your direction in your presence).
- Two adult witnesses, both present at the same time, see you sign.
- Each witness signs in your presence.
- Neither witness is a beneficiary or married/in a civil partnership to one.
If those conditions are met, the will is valid - regardless of who drafted it.
When you don't need a solicitor
For the majority of UK estates, a guided online will builder produces a perfectly valid will at a fraction of the cost. You're not getting a worse document; you're getting the same legal output via a more efficient process.
You're probably fine without a solicitor if:
- Your estate is straightforward - house, savings, personal possessions, maybe a pension.
- You know who you want to inherit and in what shares.
- You don't need to set up a trust beyond the basics built into a guided builder.
- Your estate is mostly in the UK.
- You don't have a complex business succession situation.
- Your estate is unlikely to exceed the IHT thresholds (£325,000 nil-rate band and £175,000 residence nil-rate band, both frozen until April 2030).
For this large category of estates, paying £200-£500 for a solicitor's will buys you the same legal outcome as a £40-£100 guided online will. The extra spend funds the office, the meeting, and the time - not better legal protection.
We have a full breakdown of will cost options in 2026 if you want to compare every route.
When you might want a solicitor
There are genuine cases where the bespoke drafting and regulated advice of a solicitor is worth the fee:
Complex trust arrangements
If you want to leave assets in a trust - for example, a life-interest trust where your partner can live in the family home but the children ultimately inherit - the drafting needs to be precise. Trust language is fiddly, and getting it wrong can produce unintended tax consequences or family disputes.
Business interests
Leaving a share in a business, especially one with a partnership agreement or shareholders' agreement, needs to be coordinated with those other documents. The will provision and the business documents need to work together.
Foreign property or assets
A property in France, an investment account in the US, a share in a business in Spain - these involve other countries' inheritance and tax rules. A solicitor with international expertise (or a coordinated approach using local advisers) is the safer route.
Vulnerable beneficiaries
If you're providing for someone who can't manage money themselves - a child with disabilities, an adult relative with addiction issues - you may want a discretionary trust rather than a direct gift. Bespoke drafting matters here.
Possible inheritance disputes
If you're leaving someone who would normally expect to inherit a much smaller share than they expect (or nothing at all - say a child you've been estranged from), you may want a solicitor to help structure the will and prepare a contemporaneous note of your reasons. This makes a successful challenge under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 less likely.
Capacity concerns
If your capacity might later be questioned (you're elderly, or you have a diagnosis that affects capacity), having a solicitor witness the will and assess your capacity at the time provides important evidence later. This is sometimes called the "golden rule" in will-writing.
For complex estates, we recommend you seek assistance from a Trusted Hands Advisor or your own legal advice. A guided online builder can flag these situations - Trusted Hands is designed to do exactly that.
> Not sure which route fits your situation? Trusted Hands' guided flow asks the questions that surface complexity. Start free - the answers tell you whether a solicitor is genuinely needed.
When a solicitor isn't enough on its own
Worth saying: a solicitor's will is not a guarantee of a smooth probate. Wills drafted by solicitors get challenged too. The document is only as good as the underlying instructions, and a solicitor who hasn't fully understood your circumstances can produce a perfectly drafted will that doesn't match your actual wishes.
The combination of a solicitor's expertise and clear written instructions from you is what produces robust outcomes. Some of the most expensive probate disputes involve solicitor-drafted wills where the testator and the solicitor weren't fully aligned.
Will writers who aren't solicitors
A separate category to mention: there are professional will writers in the UK who aren't solicitors. They may be members of a professional body (like the Society of Will Writers or the Institute of Professional Willwriters) and can offer in-person or remote drafting services for prices typically between solicitor and guided online costs.
The quality varies. Look for accredited members of a recognised body, professional indemnity insurance, and clear pricing. They can be a good middle option for moderately complex situations where you want a human in the loop but don't need full solicitor-grade regulated advice.
What about probate?
A separate question. You don't need a solicitor for probate either, in most cases. Executors can handle probate themselves, use an online probate service, or instruct a solicitor on a fixed-fee or hourly basis. We have a piece on the UK probate timeline covering the process.
The choice of who drafts the will and the choice of who handles probate are completely separate decisions.
> Ready to start your will? Trusted Hands turns these decisions into a 15-30 minute guided builder. Start free → — only pay when you download.
Frequently asked questions
Is it illegal to write a will without a solicitor?
No. There is no legal requirement to use a solicitor. Any UK adult of sound mind can write a valid will, provided it's signed and witnessed correctly under the Wills Act 1837.
Are solicitor wills more legally robust?
Not inherently. Robustness comes from clear drafting and correct signing. A well-drafted online will signed correctly is just as binding as a solicitor's will. Solicitors do add value where the drafting is complex or where there's a real risk of capacity challenge later.
How much does a solicitor's will actually cost?
In 2026, typically £200-£500 for a standard single will, £350-£800 for mirror wills for a couple, and £600-£1,500+ for complex trust-based drafting. Prices vary by region and firm.
Can I use a guided online builder and still consult a solicitor?
Yes - and this hybrid is increasingly common. People do the structural drafting online (saving time and cost) and pay for a solicitor's review of complex sections. Some online services offer optional solicitor reviews built in.
What if my situation gets more complex later?
You can re-write your will at any point. A modern online builder usually offers an updates option for a small annual fee. If your situation crosses into genuinely complex territory (a business, a trust, foreign property), that's the moment to consider a solicitor.
Ready to write your will?
Trusted Hands is a guided, plain-English will builder. You answer simple questions, see your draft as you go, and only pay when you're ready to download.
- Free to start - no card details to begin
- Smart Will Engine - only asks what's relevant to your situation
- Fixed price - no hourly bills, no surprises
- Annual updates option - keep your will editable as life changes