Will Writers

04 Nov 2026

We have seen an increase in clients coming to us with concerns about their existing Wills written by Will Writers, particularly where the companies are no longer in business and Wills have disappeared.

There are a number of reasons why we would advise against making a Will with a Will Writer.

  1. Will Writers are not required to have any legal training or qualifications. All solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). All members must have obtained the relevant qualification and must abide by the standards set by the body.
  2. Unlike solicitors, Will Writers are not required to hold professional indemnity insurance. This means if they made a mistake that costs your estate money on your death, there is no route to compensation.
  3. It is not compulsory for Will Writers to join a professional trade body. As a result, there may not necessarily be access to a formal complaints procedure like there would be with the Legal Ombudsman.
  4. Due to their lack of formal training, inexperienced Will Writers will rely on basic templates to draft Wills. These templates will not allow for more complex family or financial circumstances. This may mean vague wording costs your estate money in expensive court battles if there is a dispute.
  5. There may be a lack of understanding of tax or family law rules.
  6. Some Will Writers use high-pressure tactics to push expensive extras like storage fees or appointing themselves as Trustees of your Estate. We will always be up front about our costs, storage is free and we will never persuade you to appoint the firm as an Executor.
  7. As there is no regulatory body, Will Writers are not required to tell their clients if they go out of business or where their Wills have been transferred to in such an event. This could result in a lost Will if a firm goes out of business and you have no way of contacting them at a later date.

How can we help?

If you have concerns about Wills you have made with a Will Writer, or simply want to tick off that niggling item on your ‘to do’ list, call us now on 01268 565769.

Jane and Hazel can offer a free Will review to discuss your needs and queries and advise on next steps.

Alternatively, head to www.brownssolicitors.com for more information or to complete an enquiry form.