How Much Do Estate Planners Charge? Fee Guide 2026

Standard UK estate planning fees 2026:

Simple single will:

• •Budget providers: £100-£200
• •Mid-market: £200-£350
• •Premium providers: £350-£500+
• •Average: £250-£300

Mirror wills (couple):

• •Budget providers: £150-£300
• •Mid-market: £300-£500
• •Premium providers: £500-£800+
• •Average: £400-£500

Complex wills (trusts, tax planning):

• •Mid-market: £400-£600
• •Premium providers: £600-£1,000+
• •Average: £500-£750

Lasting Powers of Attorney (per LPA):

• •Single LPA: £200-£400
• •Pair of LPAs: £350-£600
• •(Plus OPG registration: £92 per LPA)

Package deals (will + 2 LPAs):

• •Mid-market: £500-£800
• •Premium providers: £800-£1,200+
• •Average: £650-£850

Note: These are client prices, not what practitioners earn. Income depends on your model—employed, self-employed, or business owner.

How location affects pricing:

London and South East:

• •20-40% premium on average
• •Simple will: £300-£450
• •Mirror wills: £500-£700
• •LPA pair: £450-£700
• •Higher living costs reflected in fees

Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds:

• •At or slightly above national average
• •Simple will: £250-£350
• •Mirror wills: £400-£550
• •LPA pair: £350-£550
• •Strong professional markets

Scotland:

• •Different documents (no LPAs—POAs instead)
• •Simple will: £200-£350
• •Mirror wills: £350-£500
• •POA pair: £300-£500
• •Separate legal system

Wales, North England, South West:

• •At or slightly below national average
• •Simple will: £200-£300
• •Mirror wills: £350-£500
• •LPA pair: £300-£500

Rural areas:

• •Variable—can be premium or discount
• •Travel considerations
• •Less competition sometimes
• •Relationship-based pricing

See location-specific guides:

• •Estate Planning Training London
• •Estate Planning Training Manchester
• •Estate Planning Training Scotland

Why prices vary so much:

Online will services (£50-£150):

• •Template-based
• •No advice included
• •Limited personalisation
• •Suitable only for very simple situations
• •High error risk

Bank/insurance will offers (often "free"):

• •Tie to financial products
• •Limited scope
• •Storage conditions
• •Not truly free—cross-subsidised

High street solicitors (£400-£800+):

• •Full legal service
• •Often estate planning not specialty
• •Higher overheads
• •Professional but expensive

Specialist will writing companies (£200-£400):

• •Focused expertise
• •Good value-quality balance
• •Professional training
• •Competitive pricing

Independent estate planners (£250-£500+):

• •Personalised service
• •Flexible meeting options
• •Relationship focus
• •Variable quality (check credentials)

What clients pay for:

• •Professional expertise
• •Time and attention
• •Ongoing relationship
• •Storage and updates
• •Peace of mind

Why "cheap" can be expensive:

A poorly drafted will costs far more in probate complications than a proper will costs upfront.

Understanding the difference:

Employed estate planners:

• •Clients pay fees to company
• •You earn salary/commission
• •Company handles overheads
• •Typical: £30,000-£55,000 salary

Commission-based employed:

• •Per-appointment/per-sale commission
• •Typical: £50-£150 per appointment
• •Performance bonuses
• •Total: £35,000-£70,000+ with good performance

Self-employed with company:

• •Higher per-case income
• •You handle some costs
• •Commission: 40-60% of fees typically
• •Example: £500 case = £200-£300 to you

Fully independent:

• •Keep full client fee
• •Pay all business costs
• •Higher gross, variable net
• •Example: £500 case = £500 gross, minus costs

Realistic income breakdowns:

Employed (salary £40,000):

• •No business costs
• •Guaranteed income
• •Limited upside
• •Net: £40,000

Self-employed (50% commission):

• •100 cases/year × £400 avg × 50% = £20,000 commission
• •Plus base/retainer if offered
• •Minus self-employed costs
• •Net: Variable

Independent (own business):

• •100 cases/year × £450 avg = £45,000 gross
• •Minus: Insurance £1,500, marketing £3,000, software £1,200, other £2,000
• •Net: Approximately £37,000

See Estate Planner Salary UK for detailed income analysis.

If you're setting your own fees:

Factors to consider:

Your costs:

• •Professional indemnity insurance
• •Professional body membership
• •Software and systems
• •Marketing
• •Travel
• •Time per case

Market positioning:

• •Premium vs. volume approach
• •Target client demographic
• •Competitor pricing
• •Value proposition

Value delivered:

• •Complexity of work
• •Time investment
• •Expertise required
• •Ongoing relationship

Pricing strategies:

Cost-plus pricing:

• •Calculate costs per case
• •Add profit margin
• •Simple but may underprice

Value-based pricing:

• •What is service worth to client?
• •Price based on value delivered
• •Can command higher fees

Competitor-based pricing:

• •Research local competitors
• •Position appropriately
• •Don't just be cheapest

Package pricing:

• •Bundle services (will + LPAs)
• •Encourage comprehensive planning
• •Higher average value
• •Better client outcomes

Practical tips:

• •Start at market rate, adjust with experience
• •Package deals increase average order value
• •Don't compete on price alone
• •Communicate value clearly

Client fee conversations:

Common client questions:

"Why is it more than a DIY kit?"

• •Personal advice vs. template
• •Error prevention worth more than kit cost
• •Professional liability protection
• •Ongoing updates and support

"Why is it less than a solicitor?"

• •Specialist focus = efficiency
• •Lower overheads
• •Same quality, better value
• •Not paying for services you don't need

"What's included?"

• •Initial consultation
• •Document preparation
• •Review meeting
• •Amendments as needed
• •Storage (if offered)
• •Future update discussions

"Are there hidden costs?"

• •OPG registration fees for LPAs (£92 each)
• •Any additional documents
• •Future update fees
• •Be completely transparent

Confident pricing conversations:

• •State fees clearly and early
• •Explain value, not just price
• •Offer package options
• •Don't apologise for fair fees
• •Focus on outcomes, not just documents

Dealing with price resistance:

• •Acknowledge budget concerns
• •Offer alternative packages
• •Explain cost of no planning
• •Never discount quality service
• •Not every client is your client

Where pricing is heading:

Downward pressure:

• •Online competition
• •Comparison sites
• •DIY options
• •Market awareness

Upward pressure:

• •Inflation and costs
• •Insurance premiums
• •Compliance requirements
• •Quality expectations

Likely outcomes:

• •Mid-market strongest position
• •Premium service holds value
• •Race to bottom unsustainable
• •Value proposition crucial

Advice for practitioners:

Don't compete on price:

• •Cheapest is not a viable strategy
• •Quality attracts quality clients
• •Price-focused clients most difficult
• •Sustainable business requires fair pricing

Focus on value:

• •What makes you worth more?
• •Specialist expertise
• •Client experience
• •Comprehensive service
• •Ongoing relationship

Package intelligently:

• •Encourage full estate planning
• •Bundle services logically
• •Increase average case value
• •Better outcomes for clients

Resources:

• •Profit Margins Estate Planning
• •Estate Planner Income Calculator
• •Self-Employed vs Employed