How to Start a Will Writing Business in the UK

Starting a will writing business offers genuine opportunity: low startup costs, work-from-home flexibility, meaningful work, and professional-level income. But is it right for you?

Who Will Writing Suits:

• •Career changers seeking flexible, rewarding work
• •Parents wanting to work around school hours
• •Retirees looking for part-time income and purpose
• •People skills professionals — former teachers, nurses, HR, customer service
• •Anyone wanting independence from traditional employment

Skills That Help:

• •Clear, empathetic communication
• •Attention to detail
• •Organisation and reliability
• •Comfort discussing sensitive topics
• •Basic computer skills
• •Self-motivation (if working independently)

Time Commitment:

• •Part-time: 15-20 hours/week = £20,000-£40,000 potential
• •Full-time: 35-45 hours/week = £40,000-£70,000+ potential

You control your hours. Many will writers work school hours only, or evenings and weekends around other commitments.

Financial Expectations:

Be realistic about the timeline:

• •Months 1-3: Training, setup, first clients
• •Months 4-6: Building momentum
• •Months 6-12: Approaching sustainable income
• •Year 2+: Established practice

Don't expect instant wealth. Will writing rewards consistent effort over time.

Not Right For:

• •Those needing immediate full income (build-up takes time)
• •People uncomfortable with sensitive conversations
• •Anyone unable to work independently
• •Those seeking guaranteed, predictable salary

If you want flexibility, control, and meaningful work — and can handle the initial building phase — will writing offers excellent opportunity.

Here's exactly how to set up your will writing business:

Step 1: Get Trained

Before anything else, complete comprehensive will writing training covering:

• •Wills (types, clauses, execution, legal requirements)
• •Lasting Powers of Attorney (essential additional service)
• •Client consultations (building rapport, taking instructions)
• •Business basics (insurance, pricing, client acquisition)

Training options:

• •Our free course: Comprehensive, WILLO software (£150/month), 2-4 weeks, no cost for training
• •Professional body courses: £500-1,200, varying durations
• •Private providers: £1,000-2,000+

See our Will Writing Courses UK guide for detailed comparisons.

Step 2: Choose Your Business Structure

Two main options for most new will writers:

Sole Trader

• •Simplest to set up
• •Register with HMRC for self-assessment
• •You and business are same legal entity
• •All profits taxed as personal income
• •Personal liability for business debts

Best for: Most new will writers starting out

Limited Company

• •Separate legal entity
• •Register with Companies House
• •More admin (accounts, returns)
• •Potential tax efficiency at higher earnings
• •Limited personal liability

Best for: Those expecting significant earnings, wanting liability protection

Most start as sole traders and convert to limited company later if income justifies the admin.

Step 3: Get Professional Indemnity Insurance

Essential before taking any clients. This protects you if a will you've written is later found to have errors.

• •Cost: £200-500 per year for new practitioners
• •Providers: Hamilton Fraser, Markel, Hiscox, and others cover will writers
• •Requirements: Insurers typically need evidence of training
• •Timeline: Can usually arrange within 1-2 weeks

Never see clients without insurance. Even one mistake without cover could be personally devastating.

Step 4: Get Will Writing Software

Professional software makes you efficient and accurate. WILLO (£150/month for graduates) or alternatives let you:

• •Draft documents quickly using proven templates
• •Ensure legal compliance
• •Manage client information
• •Track cases and deadlines

Cost:

• •WILLO: £150/month
• •Alternatives: £30-100/month subscription

Manual document creation without software is slow, error-prone, and unprofessional. Invest in good systems from the start.

Step 5: Consider Professional Body Membership (Optional)

IPW or SWW membership provides credibility but isn't required:

• •Annual cost: £200-400
• •Benefits: Professional recognition, complaints handling, CPD
• •Required? No — many successful will writers operate without

Make this decision based on whether the benefits justify the cost for your situation.

Step 6: Set Up Business Basics

• •Business bank account: Keep business and personal finances separate
• •Accounting system: Simple spreadsheet or software (FreeAgent, Xero)
• •HMRC registration: Register for self-assessment tax
• •Business cards: Simple, professional contact details
• •Email/phone: Professional contact methods

Will writing has remarkably low startup costs compared to most businesses. Here's a realistic breakdown:

Essential Costs

Training

• •Free route (us): £0
• •Mid-range paid: £500-1,000
• •Premium providers: £1,000-2,000

Professional Indemnity Insurance

• •First year: £200-400
• •Essential before seeing clients

Software (if not included in training)

• •WILLO: £150/month
• •Alternatives: £30-100/month (£360-1,200/year)

Business Bank Account

• •Most business accounts: Free or £5-10/month

Total Essential Startup (Free Training Route):

• •Training: £0
• •Insurance: £300
• •Software: £150 (first month WILLO)
• •Bank account: £0
• •Total: ~£450

Total Essential Startup (Paid Training Route):

• •Training: £800
• •Insurance: £300
• •Software: £600/year
• •Bank account: £0
• •Total: ~£1,700

Optional Costs

Professional Body Membership

• •IPW or SWW: £200-400/year
• •Not required but adds credibility

Website

• •DIY (Wix, Squarespace): £100-200/year
• •Professional design: £500-2,000
• •Not essential initially — many start without

Marketing

• •Business cards: £30-50
• •Local advertising: £0-500
• •Online advertising: £0-500
• •Networking events: £0-200

Home Office Setup

• •Desk/chair: £0 (use existing) to £300
• •Computer: £0 (use existing) to £500
• •Printer: £50-150 (optional)

Total First-Year Investment Comparison:

Minimum viable (free training route):

• •Total: £300-500

Comprehensive setup (paid training):

• •Total: £2,000-3,500

Premium setup (everything included):

• •Total: £3,000-5,000

The free training route offers professional entry at minimal cost. You can add optional extras as income allows.

Getting clients is the crucial skill for independent will writers. Here's how to build your client base:

Your Personal Network

Start with people who already know and trust you:

• •Friends and family who need wills
• •Former colleagues
• •Social connections
• •Community groups you belong to

Don't be pushy — simply let people know what you do. Many will need your services or know someone who does.

Referral Partnerships

Build relationships with professionals whose clients need wills:

Financial Advisers (IFAs)

Many IFA clients need wills but advisers can't provide them. Offer to be their recommended will writer.

Accountants

Business owner clients need succession planning. Accountants appreciate having a trusted referral.

Estate Agents

House purchases often prompt people to think about wills. New homeowners are a natural market.

Funeral Directors

While sensitive, funeral directors often encounter families without proper estate planning.

Mortgage Brokers

New mortgages frequently trigger will conversations.

Approach these professionals, explain your services, and offer to reciprocate referrals where appropriate.

Local Marketing

• •Google My Business: Free listing that appears in local searches
• •Local directories: Yell, Thomson Local, etc.
• •Community noticeboards: Libraries, community centres
• •Local newspapers: Advertising or editorial features
• •Parish magazines: Low-cost, targeted reach

Online Presence

• •Simple website: Explain services, display credentials, provide contact details
• •LinkedIn: Professional profile, connect with local businesses
• •Facebook: Local groups, community engagement
• •Google reviews: Ask satisfied clients to leave reviews

Networking

• •BNI and similar groups: Business networking with referral focus
• •Chamber of Commerce: Local business connections
• •Community events: Visibility in your local area
• •Professional groups: Legal, financial, property networks

Client Acquisition Takes Time

Be patient. Month one might bring 0-2 clients. By month six, you should have steady flow. By year two, referrals often become your main source.

Want Help With Client Acquisition?

If marketing and sales feel daunting, our paid coached programme walks you through the pricing, partnerships, and conversion process step-by-step. It's optional — many graduates build their pipeline on their own using the free training — but it's there if you want structured support.

Pricing affects both income and client perception. Here's how to set prices that work:

Research Local Competition

Before setting prices, understand your market:

• •Google local will writers and check their prices
• •Ask friends/family what they paid for wills
• •Check what solicitors charge (usually higher)
• •Understand the range for your area

Typical Price Ranges (UK Average):

Will Services

• •Simple single will: £150-300
• •Mirror wills (couples): £250-450
• •Complex will (trusts/business): £350-600+

LPA Services

• •Single LPA: £200-350
• •Both LPAs: £350-550
• •LPA registration (OPG fee): £92 (passed to client)

Packages

• •Will + both LPAs (single): £450-700
• •Mirror wills + all LPAs (couple): £700-1,200
• •Full estate plan: £800-1,500+

Pricing Strategy

Don't be the cheapest

Cheap prices signal low quality. Clients buying estate planning want competence, not bargains. Position yourself as professional, not budget.

Package services

Most clients need wills AND LPAs. Package pricing encourages complete estate planning and increases your average client value.

Value your time

A will consultation (1-2 hours) plus drafting (30-60 minutes) earning £300 means £100+/hour. That's professional-rate work — price accordingly.

Adjust for complexity

Simple wills for young couples: lower prices. Complex estates with trusts and business assets: higher prices. Charge for value delivered.

Location Matters

• •London/South East: Higher prices, higher expectations
• •Rural areas: Lower prices, potentially lower competition
• •Wealthy areas: Premium positioning possible
• •Mixed areas: Mid-range pricing

When to Increase Prices

• •After 6-12 months of experience
• •When demand exceeds capacity
• •When you add specialist services
• •Annually to keep pace with inflation

Start at competitive rates for your area, then increase as reputation builds.

Some career changers want structured guidance through the early months — pricing, sales conversations, marketing, partnerships, the conversion from enquiry to paid client. Building this on your own is doable but slow.

Our Coached Programme

For graduates who want help on the business side, we offer a paid coached programme that covers:

• •Pricing and packaging your services for premium fees
• •Sales conversations and consultation scripts that convert
• •Marketing playbooks: talks, referrals, professional partnerships
• •The full client journey from first call to signed documents
• •1-1 video calls with experienced practitioners

The coached programme is optional. The free training plus WILLO at £150/month is enough to start trading — many graduates do exactly that and never need anything else from us. But if you want to compress the learning curve and avoid the months of trial-and-error, the coached programme is there.

Learn About the Coached Programme →

Once established, how do you grow your will writing business?

Add LPA Services (Essential)

If you're not already offering LPAs, start immediately. Most will clients also need LPAs. Offering both:

• •Increases average client value by 50-100%
• •Provides complete service clients want
• •Prevents them going elsewhere
• •Doubles your service revenue potential

Offer Full Estate Plans

Package wills, LPAs, and estate planning advice together:

• •Single full estate plan: £600-900
• •Couple full estate plan: £900-1,500

This premium positioning attracts clients who want comprehensive service and increases your average transaction significantly.

Build Referral Network

Your most sustainable growth comes from referrals:

• •Cultivate relationships with 5-10 IFAs, accountants, estate agents
• •Deliver excellent service so clients refer naturally
• •Stay in touch with past clients (annual "review your will" reminders)
• •Ask satisfied clients for Google reviews

Established will writers get 70%+ of clients through referrals.

Develop Specialist Knowledge

Niches command premium prices:

• •Business succession planning
• •Agricultural estates
• •International assets
• •Blended families
• •Care home fee planning

Become known as the specialist in your area.

Geographic Expansion

Once local market is established:

• •Serve surrounding areas
• •Use video consultations to reach further
• •Build reputation regionally, not just locally

Consider Team Members

At high client volume, consider:

• •Administrative assistant for paperwork
• •Junior will writer to handle simpler cases
• •Partnership with complementary professionals

This scales beyond your personal capacity.

Premium Positioning

As experience grows:

• •Raise prices to reflect expertise
• •Target higher-value clients
• •Offer premium consultation experiences
• •Build reputation for complex work

What NOT to Do:

• •Don't expand before mastering basics
• •Don't hire before you're consistently busy
• •Don't diversify into areas you don't understand
• •Don't neglect existing clients chasing new ones

Sustainable growth comes from doing simple things exceptionally well, then carefully expanding.

Common questions about starting a will writing business.