Military and secret wills in 2026: rules for drawing up and cost

In 2026, protecting your assets has become not just a precaution, but a strict necessity. Who will get your property if the irreparable happens? We analyse the real cost and hidden pitfalls of drawing up secret and front-line documents. Find out how to protect your last will and testament right now

Legal advice for Ukrainians

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In these unpredictable times, more and more Ukrainians are thinking about legal protection for their property and peace of mind for their loved ones. A will is an official document in which a person (who is of legal age and has legal capacity) clearly specifies who will receive their assets after their death.

In addition to the standard procedure, the law provides for special forms of expression of will: ‘secret’ and ‘military’ wills. Let's figure out how they work, how much they cost in 2026, and which notary is best to contact.

Secret will: what is it?

A regular will is drawn up by a notary, who reads the text. But if you want to keep your will a complete secret, even from a lawyer, the law allows you to draw up a secret will.

It works simply: you write the text yourself, put it in an envelope and give it to the notary. The notary does not know the content of the document, but only officially confirms the fact of its signing and sealing. In 2026, such a service will cost from 500 UAH at a state specialist and from 2000 UAH at a private one.

Military will

For defenders of Ukraine who are in the combat zone or undergoing treatment, a visit to a notary is often impossible. In such cases, commanders of military units, heads of hospitals or field medical facilities have the right to draw up a military will.

The legal force of such a document is absolutely equal to that of a regular notarial will. However, there is an important nuance: after the end of hostilities, this will must be entered into the State Register through any notary.

What documents are required and what are the prices for a will

If you do not need confidentiality and you are not on the front line, a standard will is drawn up. You need to come to the notary with a ready-made package of documents.

You will need:

1. Your passport (or ID card) and TIN (tax identification number).

2. Documents confirming ownership of the property (purchase and sale agreement, extract from the register, etc.).

3. Passport details of the person in whose favour the document is drawn up.

(The notary will check the validity of the data in the state databases themselves).

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Who to choose: a private or state notary?

The legal force of the document will be the same in both cases, but the process is very different.

The main advantage of a state notary is the price. On average, certification and technical services will cost between 150 and 550 UAH. But be prepared for huge queues, appointments weeks in advance, and the inability to call a specialist to your home.

With a private notary, the cost varies from 800 to 5000 UAH depending on the complexity of the assets and the region. For this money, you get speed, comfort, and the option of having the notary come to your home or hospital. For elderly people, people with disabilities, or those facing urgent surgery, this is often the only option.

Can you change your mind?

A will is not a sentence. You have the full right to change its terms or cancel it completely at any time. To do this, you can contact any notary, not necessarily the one who drew up the first version. The cost of cancelling or changing a document starts at 250 UAH in state offices and 500 UAH in private ones.

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