Do Online Wills Actually Work? Are They Legally Valid?

If you're considering an online will but you're nervous about whether it's "real" — this article is for you.

The short answer: yes, online wills are legally valid in the UK. They have exactly the same legal standing as a will drafted by a £500-an-hour solicitor. The Wills Act 1837 doesn't care who wrote your will, how much you paid, or whether a lawyer was involved.

Here's the evidence and the detail.

What Makes Any Will Legally Valid?

The Wills Act 1837 sets out three requirements for a valid will in England and Wales:

1. It must be in writing — typed or handwritten
2. It must be signed by the testator (the person making the will)
3. It must be witnessed by two people who are both present when the testator signs

That's the complete list. There is no fourth requirement that says "and it must be written by a solicitor" or "and it must cost more than £100."

A will produced by an online service meets all three requirements. You receive a written document (a PDF). You print and sign it. Two witnesses watch you sign and add their own signatures. It's legally valid.

What About Solicitor Involvement?

Here's a fact that surprises many people: will writing is not a reserved legal activity in England and Wales.

Reserved legal activities are specific tasks that only qualified legal professionals can perform. These include:

• Conducting litigation
• Appearing as an advocate in court
• Administering oaths
• Probate activities
• Certain property transactions

Will writing is not on this list. This means:

• Anyone can write their own will
• Anyone can offer will writing services
• No legal qualification is required
• No regulatory approval is needed

40% of UK adults wrongly believe that all will writing is regulated. It isn't. A solicitor's involvement is a choice, not a legal requirement.

What the Experts Say

MoneySavingExpert

MoneySavingExpert — the UK's most trusted consumer finance website — recommends online will services as a viable option for straightforward estates. They advise using a solicitor only for complex situations involving overseas property, business assets, or potential disputes.

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice confirms that you can write your own will without a solicitor. Their guidance states that while a solicitor can help with complex wills, the legal requirements for a valid will are simply: written, signed, and witnessed.

The Law Society

Even the Law Society — the professional body representing solicitors — acknowledges that will writing is not a reserved activity. They recommend solicitor involvement for complex estates but don't claim it's legally necessary for all wills.

Government (gov.uk)

The gov.uk website provides guidance on making a will and lists online services as an option alongside solicitors and will writers. The government doesn't favour one method over another.

The Numbers: Online Wills Are Mainstream

According to the 2025 UK Wills & Probate Consumer Research Report:

• 51% of will users chose non-solicitor services in 2025 — surpassing solicitors for the first time
• Solicitors' market share dropped to 49%, down from 56% in 2020
• 85% of will clients paid fixed fees (as opposed to hourly rates)
• 41% of UK adults now have a will, up from 38% in 2024
• The median will cost in 2025 was £130

The shift towards online and non-solicitor services isn't a fringe movement. It's the majority. More than half the people making wills in the UK are doing it without a solicitor.

Online Will vs Solicitor Will: What's Actually Different?

The Document Itself

A will from an online service and a will from a solicitor are the same type of legal document. Both meet the Wills Act 1837 requirements. Both appoint executors, name beneficiaries, and distribute assets. The formatting may differ, but the legal weight is identical.

The Template vs Bespoke Distinction

Online services (including CheapWills at £9.99) use templates — pre-written legal structures that are populated with your specific answers. Solicitors can either use templates (many do) or draft bespoke wills from scratch.

For straightforward estates, template-based wills cover everything needed. The template handles the legal wording; your answers handle the personal details. There's no gap.

For complex estates — overseas property, intricate trust arrangements, potential disputes — bespoke drafting has value because it addresses unusual situations that templates may not anticipate.

The Advice Element

Solicitors can provide legal advice. They can flag potential issues, suggest tax-efficient structures, and warn about provisions that might be challenged.

Online services provide guidance (explanations of what each question means) but not personalised legal advice. The guidance helps you understand what you're deciding; it doesn't tell you what to decide.

For most people with straightforward estates, the decisions are obvious: leave everything to spouse, then to children, name appropriate guardians and executors. You don't need a solicitor to tell you this.

The Regulatory Protection

Solicitors are regulated by the SRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority). If something goes wrong, you can complain to the Legal Ombudsman.

Most online will services are unregulated (because will writing doesn't require regulation). However, reputable services like CheapWills carry professional indemnity insurance, which provides similar financial protection if their templates contain errors.

The Price

This is where the difference is stark:

CheapWills charges £9.99. The median solicitor charges £130. For an identical legal outcome on a straightforward will, that's a 92% saving.

Common Concerns About Online Wills

"What if the template doesn't cover my situation?"

Good online services ask comprehensive questions that cover mainstream situations: spouses, children, guardians, executors, specific gifts, residuary estates, and funeral wishes. If your situation is genuinely unusual (overseas property, complex trusts, potential disputes), the service should tell you to seek professional advice — and CheapWills does exactly that.

"What if I make a mistake?"

Read your will carefully before signing. The questionnaire guides you through each decision. If you spot an error after downloading, you can create a new will for £9.99. Simple.

Mistakes can happen with solicitors too — they're human. The key is to read your will thoroughly regardless of who produced it.

"What if someone contests the will?"

A will can be contested regardless of who wrote it. The grounds for contesting are the same whether it's an online will or a solicitor-drafted will: lack of testamentary capacity, undue influence, lack of due execution, or a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.

That said, if you anticipate a contest (for example, disinheriting a child or an estranged spouse), a solicitor-drafted will can carry more weight in court because the solicitor can attest to your capacity and understanding.

"Is my data safe with an online service?"

Check the provider's privacy policy. CheapWills doesn't retain your data after you've downloaded your will. Reputable services use encrypted connections and follow data protection regulations.

"What about electronic wills — can I sign digitally?"

No. As of 2026, the law in England and Wales still requires a wet signature (pen on paper) and physical witnesses. Electronic signatures and video witnessing are not valid for wills. You must print the document, sign it physically, and have two witnesses physically present.

When Online Is Fine (And When It Isn't)

An Online Will Is Fine If:

• You want to leave everything to your spouse/partner, then children
• You need to name guardians for children under 18
• You want to appoint executors
• You want to make specific gifts
• You want to record funeral wishes
• Your estate is in England and Wales
• Your family situation is straightforward

This covers the vast majority of people.

Use a Solicitor If:

• You own property outside England and Wales
• You have complex business or agricultural assets
• You're in a blended family with potential disputes
• You need inheritance tax planning (estate above £325,000/£500,000)
• You want complex trust arrangements
• There's a real risk of the will being contested
• You have assets in multiple legal jurisdictions

The Verdict

Online wills are legally valid. They've been used by millions of people. More than half of all will-makers now choose non-solicitor services. MoneySavingExpert recommends them. Citizens Advice says you don't need a solicitor. The Wills Act 1837 doesn't mention solicitors at all.

For straightforward estates, an online will at £9.99 provides the same legal protection as a £500 solicitor-drafted will. The templates are solicitor-approved. The legal requirements are met. Your family is protected.

For complex estates, use a solicitor. That's honest advice from a company that makes money when you don't. But for the majority of UK adults, an online will is not just adequate — it's the smart choice.

Make your will today for £9.99 — it takes 10 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are online wills recognised by courts in the UK?

Yes. A will that meets the requirements of the Wills Act 1837 (written, signed, witnessed by two people) is legally valid regardless of how it was created. Courts do not distinguish between online wills and solicitor-drafted wills.

Do I still need to print and sign an online will?

Yes. The will must be printed on paper, signed by you with a wet signature (not electronic), and witnessed by two people who are physically present. Electronic wills are not yet valid in England and Wales.

What percentage of people use online wills?

In 2025, 51% of will users chose non-solicitor services (including online providers, will writers, and charities). This exceeded solicitor market share for the first time.

Is an online will cheaper than a solicitor?

Significantly. CheapWills charges £9.99 for a single will. The median solicitor cost in 2025 was £130. High street solicitors can charge up to £500 or more for a straightforward will.

Can I use an online will for mirror wills?

Yes. CheapWills offers mirror wills for couples at £14.99. Both partners complete the questionnaire and receive two legally valid will documents.

What if my situation changes after making an online will?

Update your will. Life events like marriage (which automatically revokes a will in England and Wales), divorce, new children, or changes in assets should all prompt an update. CheapWills lets you create a new will at any time for £9.99.