Fairer Finance has launched ratings for online will-writing services after concerns grew about the risks of do-it-yourself (DIY) wills.
Only 53% of UK adults had made a will and around 3.7 million wills were written each year.
Research found almost one in four (23%) people now used digital, DIY or non-professional methods to make their wills.
Some services cost less than £20 and can be finished in under 15 minutes, but there were risks.
The rise in DIY wills matched a 37% jump in attempts to block probate between 2019 and 2021.
Around 10,000 people contested wills each year in England and Wales.
Fairer Finance found key problems included a lack of regulation, unclear signing instructions, and security risks.
Some providers did not offer secure storage, and wills kept at home were often lost.
Vague language in wills also led to confusion or disputes, with complex family situations making things harder when the will was not clear.
To help, Fairer Finance’s new ratings use strict ‘red line’ rules.
Services are checked on legal advice, if they name themselves as executors, and if they give clear signing instructions.
James Daley, managing director of Fairer Finance, said: “Writing a will is one of the most important things you can do to protect your loved ones, and it needs to be done right.
“Too many online services make the process seem quick and easy, while failing to flag the risks or provide any legal support.
“While technology has made will-writing more accessible, it has also introduced serious risks.”
Daley added: “A poorly drafted or invalid will can create stress, disputes, and financial loss for families at the worst possible time.
“Our new ratings aim to expose those shortcomings and help consumers identify which services are genuinely safe and trustworthy.”
