Is the first conversation really free?

Yes. The first conversation is free and without obligation, whether it’s by online video meeting or at home. Nothing is drafted and nothing is charged until you decide to go ahead.

Can the fee go up once we’ve agreed it?

Not for the work we’ve quoted. If you later ask for something extra — another document, or a change of plan — we’ll agree any additional fee with you in writing before doing it.

Why won’t you tell me a price on the website?

Because the fee depends on the documents and advice you need and how complex your circumstances are. We discuss those with you first, then give you a fixed written quote for the agreed work.

Are there any costs on top?

Lasting powers of attorney have a government registration fee charged by the Office of the Public Guardian. Your written quote shows this and any other third-party cost before you agree to anything.

How much does a lasting power of attorney cost?

Our fee for preparing them is fixed and agreed in writing before any work starts. On top of that, the Office of the Public Guardian charges a registration fee for each LPA, and some people qualify for a reduction or exemption. We show it separately in your quote.

Is a will writer cheaper than a solicitor?

Fees vary a lot between both, so it’s best to compare written quotes. Whoever you use, check they explain everything in plain English, agree a fixed fee before starting, and carry professional indemnity insurance. ELATCO does all three.

How Much Does a Will Cost in Harlow & Essex? Fixed Fees

It’s the first thing most people ask, and a fair question. The honest answer is that it depends on what you need: a straightforward single will is a very different piece of work from mirror wills with a property trust and a business interest. So instead of a price list, we offer a free first conversation, then a fixed fee in writing before any paid work starts. Families in Roydon, Harlow, Epping and across Essex and Hertfordshire use us in exactly that way.

The short version

Your first conversation is free, with no obligation.
You get a fixed fee in writing before any work starts.
Nothing is drafted and nothing is charged until you say yes.
No hourly billing and no creeping costs. The fee we agree is the fee you pay for the work quoted.

Why we don't publish a price list

Our fee depends on the documents and advice you need and how complex your circumstances are — mirror wills for a straightforward couple and a will with a property trust and a business interest are very different pieces of work. So we talk it through with you first, then give you a fixed written quote for the agreed work.

Step by step

1. A free first conversation

Usually 30 to 40 minutes, by online video meeting (Google Meet, Teams or Zoom), or at home for local clients where a visit suits the work. We listen, explain your options in plain English and answer your questions. There's no charge and no obligation.

2. Your plan and your fixed fee, in writing

We set out what we recommend and why, what our fixed fee covers, and the total amount you'll pay, including VAT where it applies and any unavoidable third-party charges, which we show separately. You decide whether to go ahead.

3. Drafting and signing

Once you accept your written quote, we prepare your documents — after the 14-day cancellation period, unless you ask us in writing to start sooner. We take you through them line by line, and supervise signing and witnessing so they're valid.

What's included in the fee

Your meetings with Laurence or Kealy — a senior estate planner, not a call centre.
Drafting your documents and explaining them in plain English.
Supervising signing and witnessing.
For lasting powers of attorney, preparing the forms and handling registration with the Office of the Public Guardian.

What makes the fee higher or lower

Whether it's one person or a couple.
Whether your will needs a trust — for example to protect children's inheritance or a share of the home.
Business interests, farmland or property abroad.
More complicated families, such as second marriages and children from earlier relationships.
Whether you also need lasting powers of attorney, and how many.

What it can cost not to have a will

Without a will, the intestacy rules decide who inherits, and they ignore unmarried partners and stepchildren entirely. Sorting out an estate without a will can take longer and be harder for the family. Our intestacy checker shows what would happen to yours in under a minute.

Costs that aren't ours

Each lasting power of attorney has a registration fee charged by the Office of the Public Guardian, a government body. We'll tell you the current amount in your quote; you can also check it on GOV.UK, where you'll find whether you qualify for a reduction or exemption. Any other third-party cost will be shown in your quote before you agree to anything.

Your right to cancel

If you agree to go ahead with us at a distance (by phone, email or online) or at your home, you normally have 14 days from the day the agreement is made to cancel, without giving a reason. Just email info@elatco.co.uk or tell us clearly in any other way.

We won't start work during those 14 days unless you ask us in writing to start sooner. If you do, and then cancel, you'll only pay a proportionate part of the agreed fee for the work done up to that point. We give you the full cancellation information, and a cancellation form, before you agree to anything.

If something isn't right

If you're unhappy with any part of our service, please tell us by phone on 0333 011 5550 or by email to info@elatco.co.uk, and we'll put it right as quickly as we can.

Last reviewed: October 2026.

How much does a will cost? How our fixed fees work.