Estate planning services UK refers to professional help with sorting out your assets before you die. These services typically include writing wills, setting up trusts, arranging lasting powers of attorney, and planning for inheritance tax. You can get this help from solicitors, specialist estate planning consultants, or financial advisers. Most people use these services to protect their family, reduce tax bills, and make sure their wishes are followed.
This article breaks down everything you need to know about hiring the right provider. You’ll find out how to compare different types of firms, what each service actually costs, and what questions to ask before you commit. We’ll also cover the key differences between solicitors and independent consultants, plus red flags to watch for when reviewing options. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to choose a provider that fits your situation and budget.
Why estate planning matters in the UK
You face serious consequences if you die without proper estate planning in place. Your assets will get distributed according to intestacy rules, which means the government decides who gets what instead of you. This process often leaves unmarried partners with nothing, creates delays that can last months, and triggers higher inheritance tax bills than necessary. Your family will struggle with frozen bank accounts, uncertain funeral costs, and legal fees that eat into what you wanted to leave them.
What happens without a plan
Without a will or trust, your estate enters probate, which costs more and takes longer than a planned transfer. The government’s intestacy rules follow a strict hierarchy that prioritises married spouses and blood relatives, so your partner, stepchildren, or favourite charity might receive nothing. You also lose control over who manages your affairs if you become incapacitated, forcing courts to appoint someone who might not know your wishes.
Estate planning services uk providers consistently warn that intestacy can result in unintended beneficiaries and family disputes that drag through courts for years.
Inheritance tax becomes a bigger problem without planning. Your estate pays 40% on everything above £325,000 (or £500,000 if you’re leaving a home to direct descendants), but proper planning can reduce or eliminate this bill through legal exemptions and trusts. Professional help also ensures your funeral wishes are followed and your digital assets don’t vanish.
How to choose estate planning services
You need to match the service provider to your specific situation before you sign anything. Start by listing what you actually need: a simple will, complex trust arrangements, inheritance tax planning, or lasting powers of attorney. Different firms specialise in different areas, and paying for expertise you don’t need wastes money. Most people with straightforward estates (under £325,000, married, no business assets) can use basic will-writing services, while complex situations require qualified solicitors.
Start with what you need
Work out the complexity of your estate before you contact any provider. Simple estates typically include a home, savings, and personal possessions with clear beneficiaries. Complex estates involve business ownership, multiple properties, overseas assets, blended families, or beneficiaries with special needs. You’ll also need to decide whether you want ongoing support or just one-time documents. Some providers offer annual reviews and updates, while others charge separately for each change.
Estate planning services uk firms often bundle multiple services together, but you might only need one or two components to start.
Check qualifications and regulation
Look for providers with proper credentials that match what you need. Solicitors must register with the Solicitors Regulation Authority, while will writers might belong to the Institute of Professional Willwriters or Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. Financial advisers need Financial Conduct Authority authorisation if they give investment or inheritance tax advice. Ask directly about qualifications, professional indemnity insurance, and how long they’ve operated. Check online reviews on platforms like Trustpilot, but remember that a few negative reviews among hundreds of positive ones is normal for any established firm.
Types of estate planning providers
You can choose from four main categories of estate planning services uk providers, each with different strengths and pricing structures. Solicitors handle complex legal work, independent consultants offer specialised planning, financial advisers focus on tax and investments, and online platforms provide basic documents. Your choice depends on how complicated your estate is, what specific services you need, and how much control you want over the process.
Solicitors and law firms
Traditional solicitors provide comprehensive legal services including wills, trusts, probate, and court representation. They work well for complex situations like business succession, overseas property, disabled beneficiaries, or contested estates. Most solicitors charge hourly rates between £150 and £400, depending on location and experience. You get full legal protection, professional indemnity insurance, and someone who can represent you in court if disputes arise. Look for firms with specialist private client departments rather than general practice solicitors.
Independent estate planning consultants
Specialist consultants focus exclusively on estate planning without court work. They typically cost less than solicitors but offer more personal service than online platforms. Many belong to professional bodies like the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners or Institute of Professional Willwriters. These providers often work from home or small offices, which keeps costs down. They handle standard wills, trusts, and lasting powers of attorney but refer complex legal issues to solicitors.
Estate planning services uk consultants often bundle services together at fixed prices, making it easier to budget for everything you need.
Financial advisers and hybrid firms
Regulated financial advisers help with inheritance tax planning and investment strategies alongside basic estate documents. You’ll need this type of provider if your estate exceeds tax thresholds or includes pension funds, life insurance trusts, or gifting strategies. They charge either hourly fees, fixed project costs, or percentage-based fees on assets under management.
Estate planning services and costs
You’ll pay anywhere from £100 to £5,000+ depending on what documents you need, who provides them, and how complex your situation is. Basic online wills start at around £90, while comprehensive estate planning packages from solicitors can exceed £3,000. Most people spend between £500 and £1,500 for a complete set of documents including mirror wills for couples, lasting powers of attorney, and simple trust arrangements. Understanding what influences these costs helps you budget accurately and spot overpricing.
What drives the price
Your estate’s complexity determines most of the cost. Single wills for straightforward estates (one property, married, no business interests) cost £150 to £400 through solicitors or £90 to £200 through independent consultants. Complexity increases costs quickly: business assets add £300 to £800, overseas property adds £400 to £1,000, and discretionary trusts add £500 to £2,000 per trust. Geographic location matters too, with London firms charging 30% to 50% more than regional providers for identical services.
Provider type creates the biggest price variations. Solicitors charge hourly rates that range from £150 in smaller towns to £400+ in central London. Independent estate planning services uk consultants typically offer fixed-price packages that bundle multiple documents together, making budgeting easier but sometimes costing more overall for very simple needs.
Standard service costs
Basic documents carry predictable price ranges across most providers. A single will costs £100 to £300, while mirror wills for couples run £200 to £500. Lasting powers of attorney cost £100 to £250 per document, and you need two types (property and financial affairs, plus health and welfare) for full protection. Registration fees add £82 per LPA on top of preparation costs. Trust creation starts at £500 for simple bare trusts and reaches £2,000+ for complex discretionary arrangements.
Estate planning services uk providers usually charge more for urgent work, so starting early saves money beyond just giving you more time to plan.
Package deals often provide better value than buying services separately. Many firms offer combined packages at £800 to £1,500 that include mirror wills, two sets of LPAs, and basic tax planning advice. Compare these bundles carefully against individual service costs to confirm you’re actually saving money rather than paying for documents you don’t need.
Hidden fees to watch for
Additional charges catch many people by surprise. Home visits typically add £50 to £150 to standard fees, while storage of original documents costs £25 to £100 annually. Amendment fees of £75 to £200 per change add up over time, especially if you update beneficiaries or executors frequently. Some providers charge separately for registering LPAs with the Office of the Public Guardian, even though this is a mandatory step. Ask for a complete breakdown of all potential costs, including VAT, before you commit to any provider.
What to check before you decide
You should verify several crucial details before signing any contract with estate planning services uk providers. Start by asking for proof of professional indemnity insurance (minimum £1 million coverage) and checking registration with relevant regulatory bodies. Request a detailed written quote that breaks down every charge, including VAT, disbursements, and potential additional fees. Most reputable firms provide this information upfront without pressure, while problematic providers dodge specific questions or rush you into decisions.
Questions to ask providers
Request references from recent clients who had similar needs to yours. Ask how long the process takes from initial consultation to completed documents, what happens if you need amendments, and who will actually handle your work (partner, associate, or trainee). Find out whether they store original documents and what that costs, plus how they handle data protection for sensitive information. Check if they offer fixed-price packages or charge hourly rates, and whether consultations are free or billable.
Warning signs to avoid
Walk away from providers who use high-pressure sales tactics or claim their services prevent all inheritance tax regardless of your situation. Be cautious of firms that offer home visits without asking about your estate first, as they often charge premium prices for basic work. Avoid providers who refuse to explain their qualifications, won’t provide written quotes, or insist on immediate payment.
Estate planning services uk should always give you time to review documents and ask questions before you sign anything legally binding.
Cold callers and door-to-door salespeople rarely represent reputable firms, despite professional-looking credentials.
Bringing it all together
You now understand how to compare estate planning services uk providers, what each type of firm offers, and what realistic costs look like. Your next step involves requesting quotes from at least three providers that match your estate’s complexity, checking their qualifications and insurance, and asking detailed questions about fees before you commit. Most people benefit from starting with basic documents (wills and lasting powers of attorney) and adding trusts or tax planning later if their circumstances change.
Estate planning should also include funeral arrangements to remove difficult decisions from your family during an already stressful time. Including funeral wishes in your will protects your family from unexpected costs and ensures your preferences are followed. If you’re looking for a dignified, affordable option, direct cremation services offer a straightforward alternative to traditional funerals, giving your loved ones flexibility to hold a memorial service at a time and place of their choosing.