⚠️ This guide was researched and updated in May 2026. Laws and regulations change frequently. For specific legal advice regarding your jurisdiction, please consult with local legal counsel.
Choosing a Will-Writing Service
There are several ways to write a will, from a face-to-face solicitor to an online will maker. This guide compares the main routes so you can weigh cost, complexity and the level of advice you need, and points to country-specific guidance where the rules differ.
Four routes to writing your will
Whichever country you are in, the choice usually comes down to four broad routes. Each balances cost against the amount of professional advice and hand-holding you receive.
A solicitor or estate-planning lawyer
A qualified lawyer can draft a bespoke will and advise on tax, trusts and complex family or cross-border situations. This route tends to cost the most and suits estates with unusual assets, business interests or potential disputes.
Typically highest cost · Bespoke professional advice
A specialist will-writing professional
Specialist will writers focus on wills and estate documents. Levels of regulation and qualification vary by country, so it is worth checking a provider’s credentials, professional body membership and complaints process before committing.
Mid-range cost · Focused on wills
An online will-writing platform
Online platforms guide you through structured questions and generate a will you print and sign. They can be well suited to straightforward estates and often cost less than a face-to-face appointment, while still prompting you through the decisions that matter.
Lower cost · Structured, self-guided
A DIY will kit or template
A blank template or shop-bought kit is the cheapest option, but it offers no prompts or checks. Small mistakes in wording, signing or witnessing can make a will invalid, so this route carries the highest risk of errors that only surface after death.
Lowest cost · Highest risk of errors
How to choose the right route for you
There is no single “best” way to write a will. The right route depends on your circumstances. A few questions can help you weigh the options. If your situation is at all complex, it may be worth consulting a qualified professional before you decide.
- How straightforward your estate is. A modest estate with clear wishes needs less than one with business interests, trusts or assets in more than one country.
- Whether you need advice as well as a document. Some routes produce a will only, while others include professional guidance on tax and structure.
- The provider’s credentials: qualifications, regulation, professional-body membership and how complaints are handled.
- Total cost and what it covers. A low headline price may exclude storage, future updates or advice you later need.
- How the will is signed and witnessed. Every route still requires the formal signing and witnessing rules to be followed for the will to be valid.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to write a will?
There is no single best way: it depends on how complex your estate is and how much advice you want. A straightforward estate may be well served by an online will maker, while a complex or cross-border estate may benefit from a solicitor. If in doubt, consider speaking to a qualified professional.
Is an online will maker as valid as a solicitor’s will?
A will made online can be just as legally valid as one drafted by a solicitor, provided it meets your country’s rules on wording, signing and witnessing. The difference is usually in the level of tailored advice, not the validity of the finished document.
How much does it cost to write a will?
Costs vary widely by country and route. DIY kits are cheapest, online platforms sit in the middle, and bespoke solicitor advice tends to cost the most. Look at what each price includes: some cover storage or future updates, others do not.
Do the rules differ between countries?
Yes. Signing, witnessing and inheritance rules differ from one country to another, so it is worth reading guidance for your own jurisdiction. This site includes country-specific guides that explain the local requirements.
Related guides
Choosing a Will Writer in the UK
Compare solicitors, will writers and online will makers for a UK will.
Choosing a Will Service in the US
Attorneys, online will platforms and DIY forms for a US will.
Choosing a Will Service in Canada
How to weigh lawyers, will kits and online will makers in Canada.
Choosing a Will Service in Australia
Compare solicitors, trustee companies and online will makers in Australia.
Choosing a Will Service in India
Advocates, online will makers and registration for an Indian will.
Will Guides by Country
Browse the legal requirements for making a valid will in your country.
Ready to make a start?
Whichever route you choose, the important thing is to have a valid, up-to-date will in place. You can begin online with structured prompts, or find a professional for advice on your own situation.
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