In recent years, we’ve seen a surge in low-cost online will-writing companies advertising heavily on social media and search engines. With promises like “Wills from £19.99” or “Protect your assets in minutes,” they make it sound like writing a legally binding will is as easy as buying a takeaway. But behind these tempting headlines often lurks a far more expensive – and risky – reality.
Why a “Cheap” Online Will Could Cost Your Family Dearly
At Mowll & Mowll, we’re increasingly contacted by people who’ve either been mis-sold complex trust structures or whose loved ones are now dealing with badly written wills that fail to do what they were supposed to. We want to explain why instructing a regulated law firm like ours can ultimately save your family thousands of pounds and countless hours of distress.
The Hook and the Hard Sell
Many of these online will-writing outfits are not law firms. They are unregulated companies who employ aggressive salespeople rather than legally qualified professionals. Their business model is simple: get you through the door with a cheap will, and then upsell you a package that can cost thousands – often a lifetime trust, sold under the guise of protecting your home from care fees.
The problem? These trusts are frequently inappropriate, badly drafted, and create unintended tax consequences or administrative nightmares for your executors. In some cases, they don’t work at all – and by the time your loved ones find out, it’s too late.
Why a Properly Drafted Will Costs More – And Is Worth It
Writing a will is not a one-size-fits-all exercise. A good will takes into account your family circumstances, your assets, your potential tax liabilities, and above all your wishes – including the bits you may not have considered. At Mowll & Mowll, our team has years of experience and training. We don’t just fill in blanks. We ask the right questions, offer bespoke advice, and help you think through the “what ifs.”
We also take the time to make sure your will is as watertight as possible – that it’s correctly executed, appropriately worded, and set up to avoid unnecessary disputes or delays after your death. You’re not paying for a piece of paper. You’re paying for peace of mind.
Regulated, Insured, Safe – and Transparent
Here’s something else to consider: many cheap online will-writing services are unregulated and uninsured. If something goes wrong – a trust fails, your will is lost, or it turns out it was never legally valid – there is often no one to hold accountable. No protection. No compensation.
By contrast, we are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), and we carry professional indemnity insurance. That means if something ever did go wrong, you or your family would be protected. And even if our firm ceased to exist, your will would still be legally valid and recoverable, thanks to SRA rules on client document storage and continuity.
And unlike many banks and commercial will writers who charge hefty annual fees to store your will, our fixed fee includes safe storage of your signed will for your whole lifetime – with no hidden costs. That means your loved ones will know exactly where to find your will when they need it most.
The Bottom Line
We understand the temptation of a bargain. But when it comes to something as important as your will – a document that will one day direct what happens to everything you own – we urge you to think long-term. Cheap wills can turn out to be the most expensive mistake your family ever inherits.
If you’re thinking about making or updating your will, we’re here to help – with plain-English advice, genuine expertise, and no hidden fees. Just clear, reliable guidance from professionals you can trust.
To arrange an appointment to discuss your will at our Folkestone or Whitfield offices, call us on 01304 873344 and select option 3 or email enquries@mowll.co.uk.