Most Wiltshire residents mean to write a will. Life gets busy, and sorting it out stays near the top of the to-do list without quite reaching it.
The good news: a professionally written will is simpler to arrange than most people expect — and significantly cheaper than most assume. This guide covers what a will actually does, what it costs in Wiltshire, and the questions we’re asked most often before people book.
Will writer vs solicitor in Wiltshire — what’s the difference?
Both can produce a legally valid will. Solicitors are regulated by the SRA and tend to charge more — typically £300–£600+ for a single will. Professional will writers are regulated by trade bodies such as the Society of Will Writers and usually charge less. For most straightforward estates, either option works well.
If you have a complex estate — significant business assets, foreign property, or detailed trust arrangements — a solicitor’s firm is worth considering. For the vast majority of Wiltshire families (a home, some savings, a partner, and children), a professional will writer covers everything needed.
Riverwise Estate Planning is a specialist will-writing and LPA practice, not a solicitor’s office. We focus exclusively on wills and lasting powers of attorney, which is the work we do every day.
What does a will actually cover?
A will sets out who inherits your estate — money, property, and possessions — who you appoint as executor to manage the process, and who should care for any children under 18 if you die. It can also include funeral wishes and charitable gifts.
Specifically, a will can cover:
- Beneficiaries — who receives what, and in what proportion
- Executors — the person responsible for carrying out your wishes and administering the estate
- Guardians — who looks after children who are still minors
- Specific gifts — a named item or sum to a named person
- Funeral wishes — burial or cremation, location, preferences
- Charitable legacies — a gift to a cause that matters to you
What a will cannot do: override the automatic rules for jointly-owned assets (which pass directly to the surviving owner on death) or nominations on pension policies (which sit outside the estate entirely).
Will writer, solicitor, or DIY — a quick comparison
| Professional will writer | Solicitor | DIY online | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single will (typical cost) | £150–£300 | £300–£600+ | Free–£100 |
| Mirror wills (typical cost) | £250–£500 | £500–£900+ | Free–£150 |
| Face-to-face consultation | Yes — home visits available | Usually yes | No |
| Legally reviewed draft | Yes | Yes | Your responsibility |
| Regulated | Trade body (SWW / STEP) | SRA | None |
| Best for | Straightforward to moderate estates | Complex estates, trusts | Very simple situations only |
DIY wills carry real risk: a will that’s incorrectly signed or witnessed, or that doesn’t clearly express your intentions, can be challenged or declared invalid. For most people, the cost of getting it wrong far exceeds the cost of getting it right the first time.
How much does will writing cost in Wiltshire?
At Riverwise, a single will costs £200 and a pair of mirror wills (for a couple) costs £350. That’s the full price — no annual storage fees, no hidden extras. The consultation — at our Swindon office or at your home across Wiltshire — is included.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Single will | £200 |
| Mirror wills (couple) | £350 |
| Single LPA (property & finance, or health & welfare) | £250 |
| Both LPAs for one person | £450 |
| Mirror LPAs — one type, both partners | £450 |
| Mirror LPAs — both types, both partners | £800 |
If you register a lasting power of attorney with the Office of the Public Guardian, there’s a statutory registration fee of £92 per LPA — this is a government charge, not ours.
What happens if you die without a will in Wiltshire?
Without a will, the UK’s intestacy rules decide who inherits your estate — a fixed legal formula, regardless of your wishes. Unmarried partners inherit nothing under intestacy, even after decades together.
Under the current rules (England and Wales, as at 2025):
- Married or civil-partnered, no children — your spouse inherits everything.
- Married or civil-partnered, with children — your spouse inherits all personal possessions plus the first £322,000. Anything above that is split 50/50 between spouse and children.
- Unmarried partner — inherits nothing, no matter how long you’ve been together.
- Children only, no surviving spouse — split equally between children.
Research by Legal & General found that 56% of UK adults don’t have a will. That’s a significant proportion of people whose estates will be distributed by a formula they may never have read, let alone chosen.
If you’re in a long-term relationship but not married, a will is the only mechanism that protects your partner’s position. It’s worth reading our full guide to wills and what they cover if you’re unsure where you stand.
Which towns in Wiltshire does Riverwise cover?
Riverwise is based in Swindon and offers home visits across Wiltshire at no extra travel charge for most of our service area. We regularly see clients in:
Swindon · Chippenham · Marlborough · Royal Wootton Bassett · Devizes · Trowbridge · Melksham · Corsham · Calne · Pewsey · Warminster · Amesbury
We also cover Cheltenham, Bath, Oxford, and surrounding areas. If you’re not sure whether we reach you, get in touch — we’ll confirm within the day.
Frequently asked questions about will writing in Wiltshire
Do I need a solicitor to make a will in Wiltshire?
No. There’s no legal requirement to use a solicitor. A will drafted by a professional will writer carries the same legal weight, provided it’s signed in the presence of two independent witnesses. Riverwise is a specialist will-writing practice, not a solicitor’s firm.
How long does it take to write a will with Riverwise?
Most wills are completed within 5–7 working days of your initial consultation. We send you a draft to review and approve before anything is signed.
Do you offer home visits in Wiltshire?
Yes. We visit clients at home across most of Wiltshire at no extra charge. If you’d prefer to come to us, our Swindon office is straightforward to reach from most of the county.
What if I already have a will — should I update it?
A will should be reviewed after any major life change: marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, a house move, or a significant change to your assets. A will written before your marriage is automatically revoked by that marriage under English law — this surprises a lot of people.
What happens to my will after it’s signed?
We recommend storing your original will in a secure, fireproof location — a bank safe deposit, a specialist will-storage service, or with a trusted person who knows where to find it. We can advise on safe storage options at your appointment.
