In this guide
If you have relatively simple financial affairs, then an online will could be a cheap and convenient option for you.
This guide looks what an online will writer is, who the service might be suitable for and lists our top picks.
In this article, we explain:
- What is an online will service?
- Who is it suitable for?
- What are the top online will writers?
- How are our ratings calculated?
Read more: Guide to wills
This article contains affiliate links that can earn us revenue*
What is an online will writing service?
Online will writing services allows those with simple financial affairs to write a legal will, quickly and simply, without the need for face-to-face meetings and expensive solicitors fees. It can offer greater peace of mind than a DIY will.
A number, such as Farewill use in-house legal experts to check over your will to ensure it’s written correctly and your wishes are clear.
Below, we cover in more detail what else the services offer, along with other online will writers that we rate highly, including Bequest, Bequeathed and Guardian Angel. Many services will also offer lasting power of attorney services.
Word of warning: an online will writer is not for everyone
An online will writing service is unlikely to be suitable if you have complicated affairs and inheritance tax issues, own your own business or you have remarried.
Online will writing services also aren’t authorised and regulated in England and Wales in the same way as solicitors.
Remember, once you have your written will, it will need to be signed and witnessed to make it legally binding.
Read more: Do I need a lawyer to make a will?
Want to watch rather than read? Tips for drawing up a will
This video lists the top tips on how to create your own will. Or alternatively, read how to write a will.
Top online will writers
Makeawillonline.co.uk
Best for: Legal advice
– 4.9 rating on Trustpilot
– Single will priced from £60 and a pair of wills priced from £90
– Make a free secure digital record of your testamentary capacity
– Protect your will from challenges with Capacity Vault – free for Make a Will Online users
– Changes are free for the first 28 days
– Lifetime updates from £10 per year
– Members of the Society of Will Writers
– Optional printing and postage from £15
Bequeathed
Best for: free service (no legal check)
– Offering free will writing service for both a single and joint will
– Your will will not be legally checked before it is signed off
– A mistake could invalidate your will
– Bequeathed can offer a service free of charge because should you need legal advice, you will be directed towards their recommended solicitors, who pay a fixed annual fee to promote their services
– No fee for a joint will or for making changes to your will – with no legal check
Bequest
Best for price
– Their Grow and Inherit wills both score four stars in our independent ratings
– You can subscribe to their annual subscription of £9 offering any changes for free – otherwise you must pay for the cost of a new will
– The Grow will is free if you have a life insurance policy with them, otherwise it’s £69
– The Inherit will is the most expensive at £399 but it allows you to put your estate into a trust
– No joint will offered
– Every will is checked and approved by JP Estate Planning (an award-winning,
UK-based professional will writer and estate planner)
– Each will has the option to make Bequest executors for a minimum fee £1,500
Farewill Online Will
Best for customer experience
– Cost effective: £90 for a single will, £140 for a joint will
– Quick and easy, taking from 15mins to complete
– Four star Times Money Mentor rating
– Optional £10 annual subscription fee, which enables you to make as many updates to your will as you need – the first year is free
– Without the subscription you will have to pay the full £90 for a new will
– For an optional minimum fee £500 you can choose for Farewill to be your executors
Guardian Angel
Best for transparency
– Cost effective: Offers a single will costing £90 or a joint will (mirror will) costing £135
– Quick and easy, taking from 15mins to complete
– Do not offer themselves to be your executor
– Every will is double-checked by an in-house will expert
– Offer a £10 annual subscription to make as many changes as you like, otherwise you have to pay for the cost of new will
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