How to Become a Will Writer in the UK (2026 Guide)

Will writing is one of the most accessible and rewarding careers in the UK legal services industry. With over 60% of adults in the UK lacking a valid will, demand for will writing services continues to grow year on year. If you have been considering a career change, looking for a flexible home-based business, or want to add estate planning services to an existing practice, this guide covers everything you need to know about becoming a will writer in 2026.

The good news is that becoming a will writer is far more straightforward than many people realise. Despite what some industry bodies and competitors may suggest, there are no formal legal requirements mandating specific qualifications or accreditations. Let us walk through the entire process, step by step.

Do You Need Qualifications to Become a Will Writer?

This is the single most important question aspiring will writers ask, and the answer may surprise you: no, you do not need any formal qualifications to write wills in the UK.

Will writing is not a reserved legal activity under the Legal Services Act 2007. Unlike conveyancing or litigation, which can only be carried out by regulated professionals, anyone can legally prepare a will for a client. This means you do not need to be a solicitor, a barrister, or a member of any professional body to offer will writing services.

That said, there are several voluntary bodies in the industry:

• The Society of Will Writers (SWW) — A membership organisation that offers training courses and a code of practice. Membership fees can be several hundred pounds per year.
• The Institute of Professional Will Writers (IPW) — Similar to the SWW, offering accreditation and training at a cost.
• The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) — Focused more broadly on trust and estate planning, with expensive qualification programmes.

While these organisations do provide value, membership is entirely optional. Many successful will writers operate without any such affiliation. Some software providers, such as WillSuite, require you to hold membership of the SWW or IPW before you can even use their platform. Others, such as Arken, are primarily designed for larger professional firms.

At Willo, we believe anyone with the drive to help families protect their future should have access to professional tools — without gatekeeping. That is why we have zero accreditation requirements.

Training Options for Will Writers

While qualifications are not legally required, proper training is essential. You are preparing legally binding documents that will determine how a person's estate is distributed after their death. Getting it right matters enormously.

Here are the main training routes available in 2026:

1. Project Will Free Training

Project Will has been supporting estate planners since 2009 and offers comprehensive free training for anyone who wants to enter the profession. This training covers the fundamentals of will drafting, understanding different types of wills, the role of executors and trustees, dealing with complex family situations, and more.

The Project Will training programme is designed to take you from complete beginner to a confident practitioner capable of handling the most common will writing scenarios. It also covers Lasting Powers of Attorney, trusts, and severance of joint tenancies, giving you a broader service offering from day one.

2. Society of Will Writers Courses

The SWW offers a Diploma in Will Preparation, which typically costs around £1,000 to £1,500. While thorough, it is a significant upfront investment that is not strictly necessary, especially when free alternatives like Project Will exist.

3. CILEX (Chartered Institute of Legal Executives)

CILEX offers more formal legal qualifications that include will writing as part of broader probate and succession modules. These are comprehensive but time-consuming and expensive, typically suited to those wanting a career in law more broadly.

4. University Courses

Some universities offer certificates or diplomas in wills and probate practice. Again, these are not required but may appeal to those who want a more academic foundation.

For most people looking to start a will writing business in a practical, cost-effective way, the combination of Project Will's free training plus ongoing access to the Become an Estate Planner resources provides everything needed.

Will Writing Software: Your Most Important Tool

Once you are trained, you will need professional software to draft, manage, and deliver your documents. The right will writing software should handle the entire workflow — from initial client fact-finding through to document generation, signing, and storage.

Here is what you should look for in a will writing software platform:

• Document drafting — Guided questionnaires that produce professionally formatted wills, LPAs, and trusts
• Client management — A built-in CRM to track prospects, clients, family details, and assets
• Communication tools — Email and SMS integration so you can contact clients from within the platform
• Invoicing and payments — The ability to generate invoices and collect payments without third-party tools
• Lead generation — A way to find new clients without spending thousands on marketing
• Flexibility — No contracts, no accreditation requirements, no per-document caps

Willo was built specifically to address these needs. At £150 per month with unlimited usage, no contracts, and no accreditation requirements, it is the most accessible professional will writing platform on the market. You can read our full software comparison to see how it stacks up against Arken and WillSuite.

How to Find Your First Clients

Finding clients is the biggest challenge for new will writers. Unlike established firms with years of referral networks, you are starting from scratch. Here are the most effective methods for generating will writing leads:

1. Willo Lead Marketplace (£5 per lead)

The fastest way to fill your pipeline is through Willo's built-in lead marketplace. For just £5 per qualified lead, you receive pre-qualified prospects directly into your Willo CRM. Compare this to the industry average of £150 to £700 per lead from traditional lead generation companies, and the value is extraordinary.

Simply toggle on the lead marketplace in your dashboard, and leads start arriving with email notifications. There is no upfront cost — leads are invoiced monthly. You can toggle the marketplace on or off at any time with no commitment.

2. Local Networking

Join your local Chamber of Commerce, attend business networking events like BNI or 4Networking, and introduce yourself to local financial advisers, accountants, and funeral directors. These professionals regularly encounter clients who need wills and are often happy to refer them to a trusted will writer.

3. Online Presence

Set up a professional website (Project Will can help with this), create a Google Business Profile, and ensure you appear in local search results. Many people searching for a will writer begin with a Google search like "will writer near me" or "will writing service in [town]".

4. Social Media

Facebook is particularly effective for will writing marketing. Run targeted ads to homeowners aged 40 and over in your local area, or share helpful content about the importance of having a will. LinkedIn can be useful for connecting with other professionals who might refer clients.

5. Leaflet Drops and Local Advertising

While more traditional, leaflet drops in areas with high homeownership rates can generate steady enquiries. Local newspaper advertising and community magazine listings also work well in some areas.

For a comprehensive look at all lead generation methods, read our complete guide to will writing lead generation.

How Much Can You Earn as a Will Writer?

Earning potential as a will writer varies significantly depending on your location, effort, and business model. Here is a realistic breakdown:

Most will writers who work the business full time can expect to earn between £30,000 and £60,000 per year once established. Those who build larger practices, hire associates, or focus on higher-value estate planning packages can earn significantly more. Some estate planners using Willo report revenues exceeding £100,000 per year.

The key is to think beyond just single wills. By offering LPAs, trusts, severance of joint tenancies, and comprehensive estate planning packages, you dramatically increase your average case value. Willo supports all of these document types, making it easy to upsell additional services.

Setting Up Your Will Writing Business

The practical steps to launching your business are straightforward:

Step 1: Complete Your Training

Enrol in Project Will's free training programme and work through the materials. Take your time to understand the legal principles, the different types of clauses, and how to handle common scenarios.

Step 2: Get Your Software

Sign up for Willo and familiarise yourself with the platform. Set up your business profile, connect your email domain, configure your invoice templates, and explore the document creation workflow.

Step 3: Register Your Business

Register as a sole trader with HMRC or set up a limited company with Companies House. Most will writers start as sole traders for simplicity and switch to a limited company once their income grows.

Step 4: Get Insurance

Professional indemnity insurance is strongly recommended, even though it is not legally required. Policies for will writers typically cost £300 to £800 per year depending on your turnover and the level of cover. Public liability insurance is also worth considering if you visit clients in their homes.

Step 5: Set Up Your Marketing

Create a simple website, set up your Google Business Profile, order business cards, and start networking. Turn on the Willo lead marketplace to start receiving leads immediately.

Step 6: Take Your First Client

Your first few clients may come from friends, family, or early networking contacts. Offer a competitive rate to build your experience and confidence, then gradually increase your fees as your reputation grows.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Having supported hundreds of new will writers, we see the same mistakes repeatedly. Avoid these pitfalls:

• Spending too much on training — You do not need a £1,500 diploma to get started. Free training from Project Will covers everything you need.
• Choosing the wrong software — Avoid platforms that lock you into contracts, charge per document, or require expensive accreditations. Read our estate planning software review before deciding.
• Undercharging — Will writing is a professional service. Do not undervalue your work by charging bottom-of-market prices. Research local competitors and price yourself competitively but fairly.
• Only offering wills — The real revenue is in comprehensive estate planning packages. Learn to offer LPAs, trusts, and other services from the start.
• Ignoring marketing — Even the best will writer in the country will fail without a steady stream of clients. Dedicate time and budget to lead generation from day one.

Why 2026 Is the Perfect Time to Start

The will writing industry in the UK is growing for several reasons:

• An ageing population — More people need wills and estate planning services than ever before.
• Increased awareness — The pandemic prompted millions of people to think about their mortality and the importance of having a will.
• Rising property values — With property prices at record levels, more families need proper estate planning to manage inheritance tax exposure.
• LPA reforms — Changes to the LPA process have increased awareness and demand for professional assistance.
• Technology — Platforms like Willo have made it possible to run a professional will writing business with minimal startup costs and from the comfort of your own home.

With the right training, software, and determination, there has never been a better time to enter the profession. The barriers to entry are lower than ever, the demand is higher than ever, and the tools available to you are more powerful than ever.

Next Steps

If you are ready to take the first step towards becoming a will writer, here is what we recommend:

1. Visit Become an Estate Planner to learn more about the career path
2. Enrol in Project Will's free training programme
3. Sign up for a free demo of Willo to explore the software
4. Read our guide on how to start a will writing business from home
5. Explore our lead generation guide to understand how to find clients

The will writing profession is open to anyone with the ambition to help families plan for the future. With over 30 million UK adults without a valid will, the opportunity is enormous — and Willo is here to help you seize it.