UK Wills & Probate Consumer Research Report 2025: UK Wills Ownership Surpasses 40% for First Time This Year - Most Adults Find Probate Simple but Growing Number Experiencing Delays

Dublin, Nov. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "UK Wills & Probate Consumer Research Report 2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The UK Wills & Probate Consumer Research Report 2025 report contains an analysis of the results of the latest consumer survey of the wills and probate market. This follows previous reports and surveys in 2024, 2023, 2020, 2019 and 2018. Where relevant, the latest results are compared with previous years. Based on sample of 680 adults with wills, 270 involved in estate administration and 978 without a will.

Key Insights

Year-on-year up to 2024, the percentage of adults with a will hardly changed but in 2025 ownership increased to over 40% of adults for the for first time in our survey series. The volume market is also expanding as the size of the UK adult population grows every year.The volume wills market, characterised by many low-cost fixed-fee options for clients, offers limited margins for most providers but there are opportunities to increase margins in related services such as advice on setting up lasting powers of attorney (LPAs), living wills, retirement planning services, funeral plans, and tax planning. The latest survey results show that consumer use of these services, plus interest in these services, is growing.Will writing and probate advice services from a range of suppliers means that the market is highly competitive with traditional advisers, i.e. law firms and solicitors, coming under increasing pressure from others. The percentage turning to law firms and solicitors for will writing advice slipped to below 50% (49%) for the first time in 2025.For most, probate is seen as a simple process but the percentage experiencing delays has increased in the latest survey.Over eight-out-of-ten (85%) using a wills adviser paid for their will using a fixed fee model. A majority taking professional probate advice also paid via a fixed fee.Over one-in-four adults are under the false impression that all will writing services are regulated.

Key Topics Covered:

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

OverviewFor the first time will ownership passes four-out-of-ten adultsLaw firms/solicitors are main source for wills advice but use is fallingLargest percentage go back to a law firm they are familiar withFixed fees paid by over eight-out-of-ten clientsUse of, and interest in, related services is growingJust two will writing brands are known by 50% or more of those with a willSlowdown in charitable donations but more interest in digital assetsMost adults find probate simple but growing number experiencing delaysUse of the MoJ probate portal continues to increaseFixed fees increasing their shareNo consensus on digital writing and witnessing of willsSome consumer confusion over will writing regulation

INTRODUCTION

Report coverageMethodology

BACKGROUND TO THE WILLS MARKET

Just over four out of ten adults have made a willThose not making a will - most have just not got round to it

LEGAL ADVISERS USED

New will writing services have emerged and share of law firms is slippingMost shop around before making a choiceConsumers turn to law firms/solicitors used before and recommendations

THE WILL WRITING PROCESS

Fixed fees models are ubiquitous, median fee £130Limited use of some related services

WILL WRITING - CONSUMER CHOICES

Increasing interest in services in related areasIncreasing interest in charitable donations in wills, dealing with digital legacies

WILL WRITING BRANDS

Cooperative Legal - the only brand recognised by a majority of consumers

WILL WITNESSING AND REGULATION

Mixed views on online wills witnessing and confusion over regulation

DEALING WITH ESTATE ADMINISTRATION

Probate is simple for a clear majority but delays suffered by one in fourIncreasing use of the MOJ's online probate portal, with over half now usingFixed fees now account for a clear majority of all probate advice fee

Companies Featured

BequeathedClarke WillmottCooperative Legal ServicesFarewillHoney LegalIrwin MitchellKings Court TrustMills & ReeveOctopus LegacyShoosmithsSimpson MillarSlater & GordoTaylor RoseThompsonsTrust InheritanceWhich?Legal

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/8s97eh

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