How much does it cost to change a Will?

Originally published: 8 October 2021 | Last updated: 26 February 2026

TL;DR. Cost of Changing a Will

The process of changing a Will will cost you nothing for address updates that need no official modification but it will cost more than £300 if you choose to work with a solicitor. A solicitor will charge between £50 and £150 to create a codicil. LegalWills.co.uk offers the most affordable solution through its online Will service which provides unlimited free updates under their KeyHolder plan that costs £49.95 annually.

How Much Does It Cost to Change a Will?

The total expenses for your change will become clear from the specific method which you select to perform your change. A solicitor will charge you at least £300 to rewrite your Will but online services let you update your document without limits at a cost which falls below that amount. You must identify if your change needs an official Will modification before you spend any money. Some corrections do not.

What Types of Changes Can You Make to a Will?

The process of changing a Will needs different approaches because it consists of multiple sections which require different payment amounts to complete:

Do Address Changes Require a Will Update?

No. If you need to change the address of someone named in your Will, or your own address, your Will does not need to be updated. A Will needs to contain two fundamental elements which serve different purposes through its address information:

The document needs identification because it shows “my friend Brian Jones of 123 Factory Street” who remains different from other people who share the same name Brian Jones.

The document needs contact information because it allows your Executor to find beneficiaries.

An old address will not stop the person from receiving the inheritance as long as their identity remains distinct. You should create a separate document which contains your current addresses to give to your Executor. Cost: £0.

Can You Correct a Misspelled Name on a Will?

A new Will does not become necessary for minor clerical mistakes which include name misspellings when the intended person remains clearly identifiable. The document needs a correction only when the mistake causes actual confusion. Your Executor will handle small differences during probate but this process will lead to longer wait times and increased expenses.

How Do You Change Bequests in a Will?

Three different options exist for you to add, remove, or modify a specific gift which appears in your Will:

Method

Cost

Best For

Risk Level

Handwritten alteration

£0

Not recommended

High. Open to challenge

Codicil

£50. £150 (solicitor)

Single minor changes

Low if properly witnessed

New Will

£150. £600+ (solicitor) or £49.95 (online)

Multiple changes or major revisions

Lowest

Handwritten alterations are risky. The legal system recognizes these changes when you sign them together with two witnesses but the process lacks proper date documentation which makes it easy for others to dispute these changes. The situation would naturally lead to doubts about the Will’s authenticity which someone could use to challenge its validity.

How Do You Change an Executor or Guardian in Your Will?

You need to name three important people in your Will: your Executor and the person who will care for your pet and the guardians who will protect your children until they become adults. You should stop making any significant changes to this document through handwriting because this method does not work.

The court will refuse Will acceptance when someone changes the Executor name on the Will through manual editing because the court cannot confirm if the change happened after the Will received its official signature. The methods which provide the highest level of safety include:

Write a codicil: A formal supplement that amends specific provisions of your Will. It requires you to sign it while two witnesses observe the process which must follow the same procedures as the original Will.

Write a new Will: For multiple changes or if the existing Will has already been amended, a completely new Will is the cleanest approach.

What Is the Most Cost-Effective Way to Update a Will?

The most affordable and reliable method is using an online Will service with an update feature. At LegalWills.co.uk, the KeyHolder plan costs £49.95 per year and includes:

Unlimited updates to your Will at no extra cost

Ability to make changes online in minutes

A new professionally formatted document generated with each update

Access to additional estate planning documents including Powers of Attorney

Compare this to solicitor fees of £300+ for each Will revision. The total savings from this process become substantial when you consider that a Will requires review after every major life event including marriage and divorce and birth of children and death of a beneficiary and major asset changes.

When Should You Write a Completely New Will?

A new Will is recommended when:

You need to make multiple changes simultaneously

Your existing Will has already been amended by one or more codicils

You are getting married (marriage automatically revokes a Will in England and Wales)

Your circumstances have changed significantly since the original Will

The current Will needs replacement because it contains outdated information which no longer follows the proper legal requirements.

A new Will automatically revokes all previous Wills and codicils, provided it contains the standard revocation clause. This eliminates confusion about which provisions apply.

Summary: Cost Comparison for Changing a Will

Type of Change

Solicitor Cost

Online Service Cost

Recommended Approach

Address correction

£0

£0

No change needed. Keep separate note

Single bequest change

£50. £150 (codicil)

£0 (KeyHolder)

Codicil or online update

Change Executor/Guardian

£150. £300+

£0 (KeyHolder)

New Will or online update

Multiple changes

£300. £600+

£0 (KeyHolder)

New Will

Complete rewrite

£300. £600+

£0 (KeyHolder)

New Will online

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cross out part of my Will and initial the change?

The practice exists but authorities strongly oppose its application. The process of validating handwritten changes requires your signature along with two witness signatures but these changes remain at risk of facing legal challenges. The cost of properly resolving a disputed alteration during probate far exceeds the cost of doing it correctly in the first place.

How often should I update my Will?

You should review your Will whenever you experience any major life changes which include marriage and divorce and the birth of a child and the death of a beneficiary and Executor and any substantial modifications to your assets and when you relocate to another country. The document needs to undergo review at least once every three to five years regardless of any modifications. The LegalWills.co.uk KeyHolder plan allows you to make free updates which will take only a few minutes to complete.

Does getting married affect my existing Will?

Yes. In England and Wales, marriage automatically revokes any existing Will unless the Will was made in contemplation of that specific marriage. A Will ceases to exist because of divorce but the process removes every appointment which allowed your former spouse to serve as Executor or receive benefits.

What is a codicil and when should I use one?

A codicil functions as a legal document which enables people to modify particular sections of their current Will without creating a whole new document. Use a codicil when you need to make small changes that affect only one item. The process of creating a new Will becomes more effective when you need to make several changes because it helps you avoid potential problems.