⚠️ 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.
The cost of a will in South Africa runs from little or nothing for a template you complete yourself to a professional fee for an attorney, rising for a complex estate. This guide sets out the typical range for each route and what tends to push the price up.
There is no single price. What you pay depends mostly on the route you choose and how involved your estate is. A “free” will can also cost more later: some providers draft it free on condition that they are named as executor, and executor fees are charged to the estate.
Price does not decide validity. A will is generally valid if it meets the formalities of the Wills Act 7 of 1953, whichever route produced it. See do I need an attorney to write a will for what those formalities involve.
Cost tends to follow complexity and the amount of tailored advice, not the length of the document.
An estate left to a spouse or children sits at the lower end; a trust, business interests or property abroad push the price up.
Guardianship wishes for young children or a blended family usually call for more careful drafting, which tends to cost more.
A low or free drafting fee is sometimes tied to naming the provider as executor, so compare the likely executor fee as well as the drafting fee.
Storing the original will, travel to see you or extra estate planning may be charged separately, so check what each quote includes.
The table below sets out typical South African market ranges for each route, what each usually includes and where the figures come from. They are an overview for information only; always check a provider’s current price before deciding.
Typical South African market ranges for informational purposes only. Some banks and trust companies draft a will free if they are named as executor, which can mean higher executor fees for your estate later, and storing the original may carry a yearly charge. Prices vary by provider and estate complexity, and may change over time. Always check the source and consult a professional before deciding.
ZAR 0 to ZAR 100
A template you complete yourself. No review of your circumstances, and a will not signed and witnessed as the Wills Act 7 of 1953 requires may be invalid.
Source: miwaylife.co.za (opens in a new tab) · as of 27 Sept 2026
ZAR 250 to ZAR 1,500
A guided service, often offered by an insurer, that produces a will with signing and witnessing instructions. Review by a professional varies by provider.
Source: miwaylife.co.za (opens in a new tab) · as of 27 Sept 2026
ZAR 500 to ZAR 1,500
A professional will drafter prepares the will, usually including a consultation and some estate planning guidance. Safe custody may be charged yearly.
Source: justmoney.co.za (opens in a new tab) · as of 27 Sept 2026
ZAR 1,000 to ZAR 2,500+
An attorney drafts the will and advises on your own situation. Larger or more involved estates (trusts, business interests or property abroad) cost more.
Source: miwaylife.co.za (opens in a new tab) · as of 27 Sept 2026
It depends on the route. A template costs little, an online service or fiduciary practitioner charges a modest fee, and an attorney typically charges more for a complex estate. The dated ranges and their sources are in the table above; always check a provider’s current price.
Not always. Some banks and trust companies draft a will free if they are named as executor, and the executor fee is later charged to the estate. It is worth asking what fee applies before accepting.
Yes, if it meets the formalities of the Wills Act 7 of 1953. The trade-off with cheaper routes is usually less guidance, so a mistake that makes a will invalid is easier to miss.
There can be. Some providers charge a yearly fee to keep the original safe, and you may pay again to revise a will after a marriage, a new child or a change in your assets.
Compare an attorney, an online will service and a do-it-yourself will.
What the Wills Act 7 of 1953 requires, and when people take advice.
How an estate is generally shared when there is no valid will.
Whichever route suits you, a valid, up-to-date will is what decides who inherits. Start yours with structured prompts, or find a legal professional for advice on your own position.
Have questions about this topic? Join the discussion in our community forum. Get answers from verified professionals and other members.
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