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Read more articles in: Blog, Private Client, Rachel Blackburn
According to the UK Wills & Probate Consumer Research Report 2025, 41 per cent of UK adults have made a Will – a record high.
However, that still leaves the majority without one. Among those who have, a growing number are turning to unregulated providers.
This change is happening alongside a widespread misconception: 40 per cent of adults believe all Will writing services are regulated.
This is not the case, however, as many providers operate entirely outside of any regulatory framework.
This distinction matters, and understanding it could prevent legal and financial problems later on.
Solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). This means:
By contrast, many Will writers, particularly online platforms and fixed-fee services not run by law firms, operate without these safeguards.
They are not held to the same standards, and in the event of an error or dispute, clients may have limited options for redress.
The risk with unregulated services lies in the details.
A Will that appears valid on the surface may be missing crucial elements. Common issues include:
Problems of this kind often only come to light after someone has died.
By then, legal corrections are no longer possible, and any mistakes must be resolved through the courts, usually at the expense of time and money for the people left behind.
The report reveals that so far in 2025, 49 per cent of people who wrote a Will used a solicitor.
In 2020, it was 56 per cent.
Over the same period, the use of DIY templates, hybrid services, and unbundled support has increased, particularly among younger adults.
The appeal is often convenience or cost, but it is worth noting that professional services are not as expensive as many assume.
Most clients (85 per cent) paid a fixed price for their Will in 2025, with the median cost reported as £130. Only five per cent were charged an hourly rate.
For a relatively modest fee, solicitors offer legal expertise, professional advice, and protection that unregulated services simply cannot match.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to estate planning. However, certain situations almost always warrant regulated advice:
According to the same report, 22 per cent of people now seek advice on LPAs, a rise from 15 per cent in 2023, showing that many are thinking more holistically about their future planning.
When making decisions about your estate, it pays to be precise, informed, and supported by those who are legally accountable for the advice they give.
If you would like to speak with a solicitor about writing or reviewing your Will, we offer consultations and are happy to explain the process in plain English. Contact us today.
Head of Wills, Probate and Older Client Services
I joined Mander Hadley’s Wills, Probate and Older Client Services Team in 2018.I specialise in the preparation of Wills, Probate and estate administration, trusts and trust administration and Lasting Powers of Attorney. I also have experience of care fee planning and appeals of Continuing Health Care decisions.
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