Is the course really free?

Yes, completely. No hidden fees, no credit card required. The free training covers wills, LPAs and trusts in full — the same content other UK providers charge £600–£1,000 for. We give it away because we make our money from the optional coached programme that comes after.

Do I need any qualifications?

No formal qualifications needed. Will writing is unregulated in the UK. What matters is proper training — which we provide.

How long does the course take?

Most people complete it in 2–4 weeks, studying a few hours per week. It's self-paced, so you can go faster or slower.

What's the difference between the free course and the coached programme?

The free course teaches the legal knowledge — wills, LPAs and trusts. The coached programme is the optional next step that teaches the sales and business side: how to find clients, charge properly, and build a real estate planning business stage by stage. £199/month for four months, then £99/month for WILLO ongoing.

Can I do this part-time?

Absolutely. Most of our students run it 3–4 hours a day, 3 days a week, around other commitments. You choose your own hours.

What if I just want the free training and stop there?

Brilliant. Plenty of people do — they use what they learn to look after their own family's documents in WILLO. There's no pressure to progress to the coached programme.

Is it legal to write wills without being a solicitor?

Yes, completely legal. Will writing is not a reserved legal activity in the UK. Anyone can write wills for payment. However, professional training and insurance are strongly recommended to protect clients and yourself.

What can't I do without being a solicitor?

You cannot apply for grants of probate, represent clients in court, or conduct litigation. For these services, you refer clients to solicitors. You can do everything else in estate planning.

Do clients trust non-solicitor will writers?

Yes, many prefer them. Specialist estate planners often provide better service than generalist solicitors. Lower costs, more time, better explanations. Professional body membership and testimonials build trust.

Should I get a law degree instead?

Not unless you want to be a solicitor. A law degree takes 3+ years plus training contract. Estate planning training takes 8-12 weeks. For estate planning specifically, the shorter route provides focused, relevant training.

What if the industry gets regulated?

If you maintain high standards now, regulation would benefit you. Those with proper training, insurance, and professional conduct would meet any reasonable standards. Poor practitioners would be excluded.

Back to Guides

Legal

Can You Do Estate Planning Without Being a Solicitor?

Understanding the legal position of non-solicitor estate planners in the UK. What you can do, what requires referral, and how the industry works.

By Alex Stansbury, Founder

•

15 min read

•Updated January 2026

The Legal Position

Yes, you can provide estate planning services without being a solicitor.

Will writing is NOT a reserved legal activity in the UK.

What are reserved legal activities?

The Legal Services Act 2007 reserves certain activities to regulated professionals:

•Conducting litigation
•Rights of audience in court
•Probate activities (grant applications)
•Notarial activities
•Administering oaths

Will writing is NOT on this list.

This means anyone can legally:

•Write wills for payment
•Prepare Lasting Powers of Attorney
•Provide estate planning advice
•Set up trusts (with limitations)
•Charge for these services

Important caveat: While legal, providing poor service can lead to negligence claims. Professional training and insurance are essential despite no legal requirement.

What Non-Solicitor Estate Planners Can Do

Full scope of practice:

Will writing:

•Draft simple and complex wills
•Include trusts within wills
•Advise on executors and guardians
•Discuss inheritance tax planning
•Prepare mirror wills for couples
•Update and amend existing wills

Lasting Powers of Attorney:

•Property and Financial Affairs LPAs
•Health and Welfare LPAs
•Guide clients through decisions
•Register with Office of Public Guardian
•Advise on attorney selection

Estate planning advice:

•Inheritance tax mitigation strategies
•Gift planning
•Business succession discussions
•Asset protection concepts
•Family provision considerations

Trust work (with limits):

•Explain trust options
•Simple discretionary trusts in wills
•Life interest trusts
•Bare trusts for minors
•Refer complex trusts to specialists

See How to Become a Will Writer for career guidance.

What Requires Referral to Solicitors

Know your boundaries:

Probate services:

•Applying for grants of probate/letters of administration
•Estate administration
•Solution: Refer to probate specialists or licensed providers

Court work:

•Contentious probate matters
•Will disputes
•Claims against estates
•Solution: Refer to litigation solicitors

Complex tax situations:

•International tax issues
•Business asset disposal
•Capital gains tax planning
•Solution: Refer to specialist tax advisers

Property transactions:

•Transferring property
•Conveyancing
•Solution: Refer to conveyancing solicitors

Complex trusts:

•Offshore trusts
•Complex tax planning trusts
•Existing trust variations
•Solution: Refer to trust specialists

Vulnerable client situations:

•Disputed capacity
•Family pressure concerns
•Potential undue influence
•Solution: Additional safeguards, possible referral

Building referral relationships:

Professional estate planners develop networks for referrals. This benefits clients and builds professional reputation.

Professional Standards Without Regulation

Self-regulation and professional bodies:

Because will writing isn't regulated by law, self-regulation matters more.

Professional bodies to consider:

Institute of Professional Willwriters (IPW):

•Code of practice
•Complaints procedure
•Training standards
•Annual membership
•Client protection

Society of Will Writers (SWW):

•Similar protections
•Training requirements
•Ongoing CPD
•Public register

Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX):

•For those wanting legal qualifications
•Regulated pathway
•Higher status
•More extensive training

Why join professional bodies:

•Client confidence
•Complaints process
•Networking opportunities
•CPD structure
•Industry voice

Professional indemnity insurance:

Absolutely essential. Without it:

•Personal liability for errors
•No protection for clients
•Reputational risk
•Minimum £2 million cover recommended

See Estate Planner Insurance Requirements for details.

How Solicitors and Estate Planners Differ

Solicitor route:

Training:

•Law degree (3 years) OR conversion (1 year)
•LPC (Legal Practice Course)
•Training contract (2 years)
•Total: 6+ years

Regulation:

•SRA regulated
•Strict conduct rules
•Mandatory insurance
•Complaints to Legal Ombudsman

Scope:

•Full legal services
•Reserved activities
•Higher authority
•Broader practice areas

Costs:

•Higher fees to clients
•Higher overheads
•Partnership buy-in expectations

Estate planner route:

Training:

•Professional training course
•8-12 weeks
•Total: 2-3 months

Regulation:

•No mandatory regulation
•Self-imposed standards
•Professional body membership (voluntary)
•Insurance (self-arranged)

Scope:

•Estate planning focus
•No reserved activities
•Referral relationships for complex matters
•Specialist expertise

Costs:

•Lower fees to clients
•Lower overheads
•Flexible business models

Client perspective:

Many clients prefer specialist estate planners for:

•Lower cost
•More accessible
•Estate planning focus
•More time with practitioner
•Often better at explaining

The Future of Regulation

Will the industry be regulated?

Debate has continued for years. Calls for regulation often follow high-profile failures.

Arguments for regulation:

•Consumer protection
•Minimum standards
•Complaints process
•Practitioner accountability

Arguments against regulation:

•Increased costs to consumers
•Barriers to entry
•Self-regulation working adequately
•Market forces ensure quality

Current status:

No immediate legislation planned. Industry self-regulation continues. Professional bodies growing stronger.

What this means for new entrants:

•Join professional bodies now
•Maintain high standards
•Be prepared for possible future regulation
•Professional conduct protects you regardless

Practical advice:

Operate as if regulated. This means:

•Proper training
•Professional insurance
•Complaints procedure
•Ongoing CPD
•Ethical conduct

Those who maintain high standards welcome regulation—it would benefit them by excluding poor practitioners.

Building Credibility Without Legal Qualification

How to establish professional credibility:

Training and certification:

•Complete comprehensive training
•Gain certifications offered
•Display credentials appropriately
•Continue professional development

Professional memberships:

•IPW membership
•SWW membership
•Or both
•Display membership numbers

Insurance and protection:

•Professional indemnity insurance
•Client money protection (if holding funds)
•Cyber insurance

Client communication:

•Clear about your status
•Explain what you can/can't do
•Referral process for complex matters
•Transparent fee structure

Physical presence:

•Professional appearance
•Quality materials
•Organised approach
•Prompt communication

Testimonials and reviews:

•Collect client feedback
•Display testimonials
•Google reviews
•Professional references

Content and expertise:

•Demonstrate knowledge
•Helpful resources
•Clear communication
•Ongoing education

Resources:

Key Takeaways

Will writing is NOT a reserved legal activity—no solicitor qualification required
Non-solicitor estate planners can write wills, prepare LPAs, and provide advice
Some activities (probate, litigation) require referral to solicitors
Professional body membership provides credibility and client protection
Professional indemnity insurance is essential despite no legal requirement
Operating to professional standards protects you and your clients