The short answer
There is no single fixed price for making a will in Ireland. A straightforward downloadable Irish will template can cost from €9.99 on MakeAWILL.ie, while a solicitor's fee depends on the work involved and the firm's pricing. The right comparison is not simply “cheap versus expensive”. It is how much individual advice your situation actually needs.
If your family and assets are straightforward, paying for bespoke legal drafting may be more help than you need. If your estate is complex, trying to save money with a standard template can be a false economy.
This guide helps you decide where you sit between those two ends.
What are the main ways to make a will in Ireland?
| Route | Typical fit | What you are paying for |
|---|---|---|
| Write it yourself from scratch | Very confident person with simple wishes | Little or no document cost, but you carry the drafting risk |
| Irish DIY template | Straightforward family and asset situations | Structure, scenario-specific wording, guidance and signing instructions |
| Solicitor-drafted will | Complex estate, family or tax issues | Individual legal advice, bespoke drafting and professional judgement |
How much are MakeAWILL.ie templates?
Our current downloadable will packs are priced by family situation:
- Standard Single Will - Ireland: €9.99
- Married Couple Will - No Children: €19
- Single Parent Will: €29
- Irish Will for Parents with Minor Children: €39
- Married Couple Will - Adult Children: €39
These are downloadable template packs for straightforward circumstances. They are not a substitute for individual legal or tax advice where that advice is needed.
How much does a solicitor charge for a will?
Solicitor fees are not one national fixed price. The amount can vary with the firm, the complexity of the instructions and whether the work includes broader estate, tax or succession advice.
If you are comparing solicitors, ask what the quoted fee includes. A useful quote should make clear whether you are paying only for a basic will or also for an advice meeting, tax planning, trust drafting, property review, EPA work or other estate-planning services.
A higher fee can be entirely justified when the work requires professional judgement. The mistake is paying for complexity you do not need, or treating a complex situation as simple merely to minimise the upfront price.
When is a low-cost template a sensible option?
A template is most defensible when the answer to all of these is broadly “yes”:
- Your family situation matches the template clearly.
- Your assets are mainly ordinary Irish property, savings, investments and possessions.
- You know who you want to benefit.
- You do not expect a family dispute.
- You are not trying to do bespoke trust or inheritance-tax planning.
- There are no concerns about capacity or undue influence.
- You can follow signing and witnessing instructions carefully.
If that describes you, the value of a template is that you are not paying someone to reinvent a straightforward document from scratch.
When is a solicitor worth the additional cost?
Use individual legal advice where the consequences of getting the structure wrong are material. Common examples include:
- blended families or children from previous relationships
- a farm or business
- property outside Ireland
- significant CAT or other tax planning
- special provision for a vulnerable dependant
- a likely dispute or an intention to exclude someone who may have legal rights
- complex co-ownership or trust arrangements
- questions about mental capacity or pressure from another person
In those situations, the solicitor's value is not the paper. It is the advice.
Is a cheaper will less legally valid?
No. Price is not a legal test. Irish law does not require a solicitor to draft every will. A will still has to be suitable for the person's circumstances and satisfy the legal formalities, particularly signing and witnessing.
Conversely, paying more does not rescue a document that is later signed incorrectly. Execution matters whichever drafting route you choose.
For the legal signing rules, read Legal Requirements for a Valid Will in Ireland.
What does “free will template” really save?
A free form can be perfectly valid if it is appropriate, clearly drafted and properly executed. The difficulty is knowing whether it was written for Irish law, whether it covers the residue and fallback beneficiaries properly, and whether it matches your family circumstances.
So the real comparison is not €0 versus €9.99. It is the cost of a bare form versus the value of having an Ireland-specific pack and guidance that is designed for the situation you actually have.
A simple way to choose
The family situation is conventional, the assets are straightforward and you mainly need a properly structured document and execution guidance.
You need someone to analyse legal rights, tax, trusts, family conflict, cross-border assets or a structure that cannot sensibly be standardised.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to make a will in Ireland?
Writing a will yourself can have little or no document cost. An Ireland-specific template adds structure and guidance while remaining low cost. The cheapest route is only appropriate if your circumstances are genuinely straightforward.
Do I have to use a solicitor?
No. Irish law does not generally require a solicitor to draft a will. Professional advice is nevertheless advisable for complex estates and family situations.
Can a €9.99 will be valid?
The price of the document does not determine validity. What matters is the content, the person's capacity and intention, and compliance with the legal signing and witnessing requirements.
Should couples buy one will?
No. Each person makes their own will. A couple may have similar or “mirror” wishes, but there are still two separate wills.
Ready to choose?
If your affairs are straightforward, use the will selector or browse the five family-specific templates above. If you are reading the complexity list and recognising yourself, spend the extra money on individual advice.
Important: This guide gives general information about will-making options and MakeAWILL.ie pricing. It is not legal advice. Third-party professional fees vary and should be confirmed directly with the provider.
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