How much does it cost to update a will? - My Local Will Writer
If your circumstances have changed since you last wrote your will, you are not alone – and you do not need to start from scratch. The cost of updating a will is usually lower than people expect, and the right approach depends on how much has changed. For a small amendment, a codicil is often enough. If more has shifted, a new will tends to be the cleaner route. If you are wondering how much a will costs in the UK for the first time, that is covered separately – this guide is for people who already have a will and need to bring it up to date.
Option one – adding a codicil
A codicil is a formal amendment to an existing will. It is a separate document that sits alongside your original will and changes a specific part of it – for example, swapping one beneficiary for another, updating a particular gift or adding or removing an executor.
The cost of adding a codicil to a will varies. A solicitor may charge around £75 to £150, depending on the change and how much advice is needed. A phone-based will writing service will cost less.
Because a codicil sits alongside your existing will, your executors need to read both documents and understand how they work together. If the wording creates any ambiguity, it can cause confusion at exactly the wrong moment. Clients often ask whether a codicil is the tidier option for a small change – and in most cases, if the change touches anything more than one specific clause, a new will is cleaner. It is worth asking whether your situation is really as simple as it seems before defaulting to this option.
Option two – writing a new will
In many cases, writing a fresh will is the cleaner option, and the cost is often no higher than amending an old one.
A full rewrite makes sense when something has shifted in a bigger way: a divorce, a remarriage, a new child or grandchild, a house purchase, a business sale, or when your existing will is more than ten years old and no longer reflects your current wishes. With My Local Will Writer, a new will starts from £59 – done by phone, solicitor-checked and ready within a few days.
When you write a new will, it automatically revokes the previous one. Your executor works from a single current document with no earlier amendments to cross-reference. For most people going through a major life change, that is the more practical outcome.
Many people assume that updating a will means paying close to the original cost again. In practice, a new will with a phone-based service costs the same whether you are writing one for the first time or replacing an existing one. The process is identical.
How much does it cost to update a will – codicil or new will?
| Your situation | Likely best option |
|---|---|
| Changing one beneficiary or one gift | Codicil |
| Adding or removing a single executor | Codicil |
| Divorce or remarriage since the will was written | New will |
| New child or grandchild to include | New will in most cases |
| Existing will is more than ten years old | New will |
| Major change in assets (house purchase, business sale) | New will |
In England and Wales, getting married automatically revokes an existing will, unless that will was written in contemplation of the specific marriage. This is one of the most common questions we get – people are often surprised to learn that a will they wrote before their wedding may no longer be valid. If you have married since making your will and have not updated it, you may not have the protection in place that you think you do.
Do you need a solicitor to change a will?
No. There is no legal requirement to use a solicitor when amending a will in the UK. A codicil or a new will prepared by a qualified will writer is legally valid, provided it is correctly signed and witnessed. With My Local Will Writer, your will is handled by phone and checked by a solicitor – so you get the reassurance of legal review built into a service that costs a fraction of a solicitor’s hourly rate. In our experience, most clients are surprised by how quick the phone appointment is – under an hour for a new will.
If your will involves complex trusts, business succession arrangements, overseas assets or is likely to be contested, specialist legal advice is worth paying for. For most everyday updates, it is not.
Most will updates are less difficult than people imagine. The important thing is not to leave an old will sitting there when your life has clearly moved on. You have already done the hard part by recognising your will needs attention. If anything in this article has prompted you to act, the next step is a single phone call – get a free quote and have your updated will written and solicitor-checked within a few days.
FAQ
How much does it cost to change a will in the UK? The cost of changing a will depends on whether you use a codicil or write a new will. A solicitor may charge around £75 to £150 for a codicil. With My Local Will Writer, a new will starts from £59.
What is a codicil and do I need one? A codicil is a formal document that changes part of an existing will without replacing it. It may be suitable if you only need to make one small change, such as updating a beneficiary, a specific gift or an executor.
Does getting married mean I need to rewrite my will? In England and Wales, yes – marriage automatically revokes an existing will unless it was written in contemplation of that specific marriage. If you have married since making your will, you should review your position as soon as possible.
Can I update my will without a solicitor? Yes. You do not legally need a solicitor to update a will, as long as the document is written, signed and witnessed correctly. A qualified will writer can handle this.
How long does it take to update a will? With My Local Will Writer, a new will is typically completed within a few days of your phone appointment.