Complete guide to professional will writer training in the UK - courses, costs, what's covered, and how long it takes to become a will writer.
TL;DR Will Writer Training Summary:
Will writer training teaches you everything needed to draft wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs), trusts, and probate services for UK clients. Unlike solicitor training (5-7 years + £30k+ costs), will writer training takes 6-8 weeks and costs £800-£1,500 for comprehensive courses.
✓ Fast Track to Practice
Most people complete will writer training in 6-8 weeks while working their current job, then take their first paying client within 3-6 weeks of finishing. Total time from "I want to become a will writer" to "I have my first paying client" is typically 10-14 weeks (2-3 months).
Will writer training (also called estate planner training) is a professional course that teaches you how to help families legally protect their assets through wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, trusts, and probate planning.
The training covers:
There is no difference. "Will writer" and "estate planner" are interchangeable terms in the UK. Both refer to professionals who help clients with wills, LPAs, trusts, and probate. The training is identical.
Some people prefer "estate planner" because it sounds more comprehensive than "will writer" (since you do more than just wills). But legally and practically, they're the same profession.
No formal qualifications are legally required. Will writing is an unregulated profession in the UK - anyone can offer these services without specific qualifications.
However, professional will writer training is essential because:
💡 Smart Approach
While you don't legally need qualifications, practically you need professional will writer training to build a credible, insured, sustainable business. The £800-£1,500 investment in good training pays for itself with your first 3-5 clients.
Comprehensive will writer training should cover all these areas:
⚠️ Critical Component Often Missing
Many will writer training courses teach legal knowledge but not marketing. Students complete training, then have no idea how to get clients. They know how to draft wills but can't build a business. Make sure your chosen training includes client acquisition strategies.
Full curriculum breakdown: What Does Estate Planning Training Cover?
Will writer training costs vary from £300 to £3,000+ depending on what's included:
| Course Type | Cost | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Online Course | £300-£600 | Legal theory, basic templates ❌ No software ❌ No support |
| Comprehensive Online | £800-£1,500 | Full curriculum + software + ongoing support + marketing ✓ Best value |
| In-Person Workshop | £1,500-£3,000 | 2-3 day intensive training ± Face-to-face learning ❌ Usually no ongoing support |
| Professional Body Course | £1,000-£2,500 | Recognized certification ± Quality varies by provider |
Cost comparison guide: Free vs Paid Will Writer Training - Is Free Worth It?
Here's the realistic timeline from enrollment to earning income:
Weeks 1-6: Training Phase
Complete will writer training (6-8 weeks part-time study, 10-15 hours/week)
Weeks 7-8: Setup Phase
Get insurance, set up business basics, start marketing to friends/family/network
Weeks 9-12: First Clients
Take first 3-5 paying clients (typically friends, family, referrals from your network)
Months 4-6: Building Phase
Referrals start coming in, local marketing working, earning £500-£1,500/month part-time
Months 7-12: Established
Consistent client flow, earning £1,000-£2,500/month part-time
Total Time to First Paying Client: 10-14 weeks (2-3 months)
| Path | Training Time | Cost | Time to Start Earning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Will Writer | 6-8 weeks | £800-£1,500 | 10-14 weeks |
| Solicitor | 5-7 years | £30,000-£100,000+ | 5-7 years |
| Accountant | 3-4 years | £10,000-£20,000 | 3-4 years |
Detailed timeline guide: How Long Does It Take to Become an Estate Planner?
5 essential questions to ask before enrolling in will writer training:
1. Does it include professional software training?
You can't draft wills professionally without software like Willo or Octopus. If software isn't included (both training + 2-3 months free subscription), you'll pay £100-£300 extra immediately.
2. Do you teach marketing and client acquisition?
This is where most courses fail students. Legal knowledge is useless if you can't get clients. Ensure training includes specific, actionable strategies for getting your first 5-10 clients.
3. What ongoing support is provided after course completion?
Your questions don't end when training ends. Look for monthly support groups, email support, or community forums where you can get help with real client situations.
4. Is the trainer a practicing will writer?
Some trainers teach but don't actually do the work. You want training from someone who takes clients regularly and knows current challenges, not outdated theory.
5. How much practical vs theoretical content?
Good will writer training is 60% practical - you should draft multiple wills, complete LPAs, practice consultations. Not just read about them.
This training comes from Project Will - an actual operating will writing and estate planning company. We take clients every week. Our training reflects real-world practice, not outdated theory.
6-8 weeks to complete training, then 3-6 weeks to get your first paying client. Total time from enrollment to earning: 10-14 weeks (2-3 months). This is part-time study while keeping your current job.
No formal qualifications are legally required - will writing is unregulated in the UK. However, you need professional will writer training to get insurance, build client trust, and draft documents competently.
£800-£1,500 for comprehensive training including software, ongoing support, and marketing guidance. Budget courses (£300-£600) typically lack essential components. In-person courses cost £1,500-£3,000+ plus travel.
Yes - most students keep their job during training. Online courses require 10-15 hours/week study (evenings and weekends). You can also take your first clients part-time before deciding to go full-time.
Yes for the right person - flexible, recession-proof, meaningful work helping families. Part-time will writers earn £1,000-£3,000/month, full-time £50k-£80k+/year. Requires self-motivation and business development skills. Read full career analysis.
No - over 40 is actually ideal. Clients prefer will writers with life experience. Most successful will writers are 45-65. Read our guide for career changers over 40.
More questions? Read our complete FAQ →
Complete training in 6-8 weeks. Get your first client within 3-6 weeks after finishing. Includes software, ongoing support, and marketing guidance.
£995 • 10-14 Weeks to First Paying Client • Monthly Support Groups