The Hidden Dangers of DIY Wills – Don’t Leave Your Estate at Risk

Many people create DIY wills, believing that’s sufficient, or they don’t make a will at all, assuming their assets are too modest to matter.

While creating a will yourself might seem simple, mistakes are common. Even small errors can result in unintended beneficiaries, disputes among loved ones, or claims against your estate that are expensive and stressful to resolve.

Key takeaways

• Online wills may seem quick and cheap, but they come with serious risks. Some platforms offer wills for under £20 and promise results in minutes, but lack the regulation, advice, and safeguards of a solicitor-led service.
• If you have overseas assets, children from previous relationships, a business, or a high-value estate, using an online will service could create legal and financial problems. These situations need tailored advice, not automated templates.
• Some online platforms appoint themselves as executors without you realising, then charge up to 5% of your estate’s value. On a £500,000 estate, that could mean £25,000 in fees. Removing them later may require a costly court process.
• Online will-writers are not always regulated, insured, or trained to check if someone has capacity to make a will. If the will is later challenged on the grounds of fraud or duress, your family could face expensive disputes after your death.
• A cheap will that fails to reflect your wishes could result in higher tax bills, inheritance disputes, or parts of your estate going to the wrong people. Fixing the mess could cost far more than the money saved upfront.
• If your estate is worth hundreds of thousands of pounds, it makes sense to pay a little more for professional advice. A properly drafted will protects your legacy, reduces risk, and gives your loved ones peace of mind.

Who Should Not Use an Online Will?

Online will services may suit those with simple wishes and minimal assets, but there are several scenarios where a solicitor is essential. If any of the following apply, using an unregulated online provider could put your estate at serious risk:

• Overseas assets: If you own property or financial accounts abroad, online templates are unlikely to accommodate international inheritance rules.
• Blended families: If you have children from previous relationships, your will must be carefully structured to avoid accidental disinheritance or disputes.
• Business ownership: Those with business interests or shareholdings should include clear succession planning in their will.
• Desire to create a trust: Trusts must be drafted precisely to be legally valid and tax-efficient—something online platforms rarely offer.
• Estate value above £325,000: This is the current inheritance tax threshold. Estates over this limit may face tax without proper planning. (HMRC – Inheritance Tax)
• Vulnerable beneficiaries: If you wish to provide for someone with disabilities or care needs, legal advice ensures your gift supports them without affecting benefits.

In these situations, a professionally drafted will from a regulated solicitor ensures your wishes are respected and helps prevent future legal or financial problems for your family.

What to Ask Before Choosing Any Will-Writing Service

Whether you’re considering an online platform or speaking to a solicitor, ask these questions before proceeding:

Are you regulated?

Solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Many online will providers are not. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has issued guidance urging legal service providers to meet higher transparency and consumer protection standards.

Do you carry insurance?

Solicitors must hold professional indemnity insurance, typically with a limit of between £2 million and £3 million. This provides vital protection if errors are made in drafting your will or administering your estate.

Can I choose my executor?

Some online platforms automatically appoint themselves as executors. Always ensure you have complete control over who will administer your estate, and check that no restrictions are hidden in the small print.

What are your executor fees?

Some will-writing companies charge a percentage of your estate’s gross value to administer the probate process—2% to 5% is not uncommon in the unregulated sector. For a £500,000 estate, this could amount to £10,000–£25,000. See Which? guidance on rogue executors for more.

How are updates handled?

Ask whether future changes to your will are included or require additional costs. Life circumstances and laws change—your will should be easy to update without excessive fees.

Client case studies

Client A

One client had drafted two homemade wills on the same day, each including a revocation clause cancelling the other. These were the kind of pre-printed will packs often sold in high-street shops.

As each will revoked the other, neither was valid, leaving the estate open to challenge and creating unnecessary complications for loved ones.

Client B

Another client listed some assets in her will but did not address the residue of her estate. She was separated from her husband, yet under the intestacy rules, he inherited the residue, worth £500,000. There is no doubt she would have wanted a different outcome.

Failing to deal with the residue of an estate can result in significant portions passing to unintended beneficiaries, completely undermining the wishes expressed elsewhere in a will.

These cases highlight the risks of DIY wills and the importance of professional advice. A properly drafted will ensures your estate is distributed according to your wishes, avoids unintended beneficiaries, and reduces the potential for costly disputes. Speak with a qualified professional in our team to create or review your will to ensure your wishes are upheld and your loved ones are protected.

The Dangers of Online Will-Writing Services

Here we highlight the four dangers to be aware of when considering an online will-writing service.

1. Lack of regulation

Firms of solicitors are bound by rigorous regulations and standards, which guarantee a certain level of protection for their clients when drafting their wills. They are also required to keep up to date with changes to the relevant laws to ensure their advice is accurate and their wills are legally valid. However, not all online will-writers are regulated and therefore they do not have to adhere to the same regulations and standards.

Unlike solicitors, some online will-writers may not have adequate insurance in place, so if the will doesn’t do what it is supposed to, and it’s not discovered until after the death of the testator, the disappointed beneficiary will have no redress.

2. Online wills are not bespoke

Online wills can be made in a matter of minutes and are often computer generated. The process can consist of simply filling out a form and making payment. Online will-writers may not take the time to gather information from their clients that is required to make a proper will that suits that individual’s circumstances, nor do they tend to provide advice on trusts, personal tax planning or assets held overseas. Sometimes the software automatically appoints the will writing company as the executor – even though that may not be the testator’s wishes.

As a result, online wills may not be fit for purpose. The lack of bespoke advice could mean that parts (or even the entirety) of the will may not be effective. It could also mean that the estate could face unwanted tax implications or possibly legal claims against the estate – all of which could end up costing many thousands of pounds.

3. Beware of hidden costs

Whilst the headline rate may be that the will costs ‘less than £20’, online will-writers can sometimes include extortionate hidden fees and charges in their terms and conditions. This can result in severe financial penalties for an estate later down the line.  There could even be fees for storing the will and then retrieving it.

The big cost however can come from the appointment of the will writing company as the executor and dealing with the estate administration. Often they will charge a high percentage based on the gross value of the estate. Whilst solicitors can also charge in this manner, most solicitors will renounce if asked to do so by the beneficiaries. The will writing company may refuse to do this and therefore the only way to get them removed would be a court application, which could be very costly.

Costs may also be incurred to correct a will that is not fit for purpose. What’s more, it may end up being the beneficiaries who are burdened by the financial repercussions of making a will online if the testator has passed away when these mistakes come to light.

4. Lack of verification

Online will-writers cannot be sure that the testator is who they portray themselves to be online. Unlike firms of solicitors, most online will-writers do not confirm the identity of their clients (In theory, it could be anyone sat behind the computer filling out the details for the alleged testator).

This also means that will-writing companies cannot confirm that the testator has the necessary mental capacity required to make a will. This could lead to future claims against an estate that the will is not valid due to fraud, duress, or a lack of the necessary mental capacity – all of which could end up costing the estate many thousands of pounds.

If it seems too good to be true, it probably is

Online wills embrace today’s technology and offer a speedy and quick service.  They are here to stay, and some online companies have a great business model and try to reduce the risks. However, other online will-writing companies do not.

Therefore it is important that if you are considering making a will online, you give thought as to whether it is right for your circumstances and you are fully aware of all of the implications before doing so.

Although making a will online may save a few pounds initially, a lack of regulation, bespoke advice and verification, together with extortionate hidden fees could have disastrous consequences for an estate – particularly the beneficiaries who are left to pick up the pieces.

When estates can be worth many hundreds of thousands of pounds, it is certainly worth paying that bit extra initially and use a professional for peace of mind that everything has been done correctly and the risks are minimised.

We’ve put together a set of FAQs to help you understand more about the benefits of having a will, the process and how much our bespoke Will writing services cost.

We can guide you through the process

Creating a will is just part of the succession planning process, but maintaining it is also important. We will strive to build an ongoing relationship with you to ensure that the plans you put in place today continue to be effective and applicable to yours and your beneficiaries’ changing circumstances, changes to legislation, and in legal best practice.

No matter where you are on your journey, we can support you and guide you through the process. If you’d like to discuss putting a will in place or would like advice or guidance around the process, fill out the contact us form here or call us on 0330 024 0333.