At Fisher Jones Greenwood, we have recently been through the process of reviewing our pricing structures. This is never an easy process, and pricing our services at the right level at the right level always remains a challenge. In particular, wills are always the hardest to get right. Because a well-drafted will can be priceless, where do you start when finding the value of a will?
How does a solicitor find the value of a will?
A well-drafted will can bring peace of mind, not just for you but for your loved ones. It can avoid family fallouts, protect vulnerable loved ones, preserve wealth, and ensure your wishes are followed. It is invaluable. As solicitors with expertise in this area, making sure clients have the right will for their circumstances and, most importantly, that they understand it to the extent that they can be at peace with what they have prepared should be the most important thing we do.
And yet, across the profession, we’ve seen wildly different price tags attached to them.
Recently, I heard of firms charging £3,500 plus VAT for a will — and in one particular instance, I heard that someone was quoted £10,000 plus VAT to prepare two simple wills and a Lasting Power of Attorney. Are those clients getting value for money?
Possibly. If their affairs are complex, then it might be justified. But it raises a bigger question: how do we actually value a will?
Is it the hours spent drafting it? The years of legal study and experience that allow us to tailor it to someone’s personal and financial circumstances? Is it the peace of mind that comes from knowing your affairs are in order — or the quiet relief your family will feel when they’re not left to pick up the pieces?
The risks of cost-cutting
A will can be one of the most important documents a person ever signs. And yet, for too long, it’s also been one of the most undervalued. Some people still think of it as a simple form-filling exercise. It’s not. Poorly drafted wills can cause chaos. The internet is awash with horror stories of DIY disasters and cut-price corner-cutting.
It is for this reason that I believe a will should be prepared by a qualified practitioner — people who understand the law, tax, trusts, families, property, and above all, people. My colleagues and I, along with fellow professionals at other firms, have spent years honing our craft and never stop this process to ensure that clients are not only paying for a will but also paying for the peace of mind that comes with instructing a solicitor who knows what they are doing.
At the same time, I also believe that price shouldn’t be a barrier. Everyone deserves access to quality legal advice. So we’ve worked hard to strike a balance — offering a professional, tailored service, backed by expertise and care, at what I believe is a fair and transparent cost. A will shouldn’t be free, but it also shouldn’t feel like you’ve been charged for a second-hand yacht.
At Fisher Jones Greenwood, we believe in legal advice with a conscience. That means putting our clients first, offering real value, and delivering something far more powerful than just paperwork: peace of mind.
How can we help?
Gregory John is a Partner and Head of the Wills, Life Planning and Probate Team, based in our Chelmsford Office.
For further advice on the above subject please contact us on 08081 891 596, or via our online enquiry form.