Wills and Probate Market Grows to £2.8 Billion Despite Fewer Law Firms

The UK’s wills and probate market is booming—despite a drop in the number of law firms offering these services. New research reveals a surprising dual trend: the market value continues to climb rapidly, even as hundreds of firms, particularly high street practices, exit the space.

According to the UK Wills, Probate and Trusts Market Report 2024 by IRN Legal Reports, the sector saw a 7% growth rate this year, pushing the total market value to £2.8 billion. This growth is forecast to continue steadily, with a projected market value of £3.6 billion by 2028.

So, what’s behind this paradox—fewer firms, but more business? Let’s unpack the numbers and what they mean for clients, legal professionals, and the future of estate planning.

What’s Driving Market Growth?

The main drivers behind the 2024 market expansion were:

• A 28% increase in grants of representation issued (from just under 130,000 in H1 2023 to 165,000 in H1 2024)
   
• A surge in Power of Attorney (POA) applications, which rose 37% in one year to nearly 1.2 million in 2023—and could exceed 1.5 million by the end of 2024
   

While the core will-writing segment of the industry is described as increasingly “price-led,” meaning many providers compete heavily on cost, the real growth is happening in related legal services—especially probate administration and Powers of Attorney.

Fewer Firms, More Specialists

Interestingly, the number of UK law firms offering will-writing services has dropped below 6,000 for the first time. This is partly due to:

• Closures and consolidations among high street firms, many of which have traditionally provided local will-writing services
   
• A broader trend of smaller firms merging, possibly in response to economic pressures, regulatory demands, or changing client expectations
   

However, it's not all shrinkage—some areas of the market are growing rapidly. The number of specialist firms handling contentious probate, wills, and trusts is on the rise.

Fast Facts on Specialist Growth:

• Contentious probate law firms rose 7% from 2023, reaching 304 by October 2024
   
• That’s a 36% increase since 2020 and more than double the number since 2018
   
• 197 law firms now specialise in disputed wills
   

This uptick suggests a growing demand for niche expertise in estate disputes—likely fuelled by complex family structures, rising estate values, and a heightened public awareness of legal rights in inheritance matters.

DIY Probate and the Rise of the Informed Consumer

Another significant trend reshaping the market is the rise of self-managed probate.

Over the past decade, the proportion of individuals handling their own grants of representation has surged. In 2023, nearly 44% of applications were made by private individuals without the assistance of a solicitor.

What’s behind this?

• Online tools and government digital services have made the process more accessible
   
• The increasing availability of step-by-step guidance, particularly via HMCTS and consumer advice platforms
   
• Cost concerns—DIY probate avoids legal fees and can be a more affordable option for smaller or straightforward estates
   

This shift doesn’t eliminate the need for legal professionals but does suggest a more hybrid approach is emerging: people may draft their own wills or manage probate themselves but still seek expert advice for disputes, complex estates, or tax issues.

Power of Attorney Surge: A Sign of the Times

One of the most striking stats from this year’s report is the surge in POA applications.

• In 2023, there were nearly 1.2 million applications for registering Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs)
   
• That’s a 37% increase compared to the previous year
   
• 2024 is on track for over 1.5 million applications—based on data from the first half of the year alone
   

The increase reflects both demographic and cultural shifts:

• The UK’s ageing population is preparing more thoroughly for future incapacity
   
• Public awareness of the need to protect health, finances, and assets for elderly family members is growing
   
• COVID-19 may have served as a long-term wake-up call, prompting more people to get their legal affairs in order
   

On the operational side, the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) has been working to address past delays. The LPA backlog was reduced from 223,200 applications in March 2023 to 149,400 by March 2024, helping support the overall growth in registrations.

Contentious Probate: The Sector to Watch

While traditional will-writing may be under price pressure, contentious probate is becoming one of the most dynamic (and lucrative) niches in private client law.

Reasons for the boom include:

• More second marriages and blended families, which often result in disputes over inheritance
   
• Increased estate values, particularly due to rising house prices
   
• Public awareness—high-profile cases and social media have made people more likely to challenge a will if they feel unfairly treated
   

With the number of disputed wills specialists doubling in just six years, legal firms that once offered broad services are now carving out a name in this specific space—sometimes offering litigation funding or fixed-fee models to attract clients.

What This Means for Clients

If you're preparing a will, managing probate, or supporting elderly relatives, here’s what to take away:

1. The sector is changing fast—Digital tools, self-service applications, and specialist firms are now more prominent than ever.
    
2. Expect competitive pricing on basic will-writing but premium services for anything more complex.
    
3. Disputes are rising—So clear, well-drafted estate plans are more essential than ever to avoid family fallouts later.
    
4. Power of Attorney is a must—Especially as health and financial decisions become more sensitive with age.
    

What’s Ahead: Forecasts to 2028

IRN’s researchers expect the market to grow by 6% in 2025 and continue at a similar pace each year until 2028. By then, the UK wills and probate market will be worth around £3.6 billion.

This sustained growth means more innovation, more specialist firms, and—likely—more digital transformation ahead.

It also means that legal professionals in this space have a unique opportunity to adapt, specialise, and offer added value to a more engaged, informed, and demanding public.

Need Support with Wills, Probate, or a Contentious Estate?

Whether you’re:

• Creating or updating a will
   
• Applying for probate
   
• Handling a complex estate
   
• Dealing with a will dispute
   
• Or seeking to register a Power of Attorney
   

Parachute Law can help.

Our team of experienced private client solicitors offers:

• Fixed-fee probate services
   
• Contentious probate support
   
• Expert guidance on POAs and estate planning
   

Call us today on 0207 183 4547 or send us a message for a no-obligation consultation.