Martin Lewis Will Writing: Free Options, Costs & Mistakes

You’ve probably heard Martin Lewis talk about will writing on TV or read his guides on MoneySavingExpert – the message is always the same: don’t put it off, but don’t overpay either. With around 60% of UK adults still without a will, knowing how to get one for free or cheap — without falling into a trap — is the real task.

Percentage of UK adults without a will: 60% · Average solicitor will cost (UK): £150–£300 · Average DIY will kit cost: £20–£50 · Number of charities in Will Aid scheme: 9 · Will Aid campaign month: November

Below are key facts about will-writing costs.

How much does it cost to write a will in Ireland?

What are the typical solicitor fees for a will in the UK?

• Solicitor‑drafted wills often start at around £150 and can reach £300 for complex estates (ITV This Morning).
• Online DIY will kits are far cheaper, ranging from £20 to £50, but lack personalised advice.
• Some solicitors offer fixed‑price packages; it pays to compare quotes.

What free will options are available?

• Free Wills Month (March and October) lets over‑55s get a simple will written or updated by a participating solicitor at no cost (Age UK).
• Will Aid runs in November, open to all ages, and covers the UK including Scotland (ITV This Morning).
• Macmillan’s Free Will Service offers free will writing year‑round through its trusted partners (Macmillan Cancer Support).

How does Will Aid work?

• Will Aid is a charity campaign where solicitors waive their fee for writing a basic will, and the client is encouraged to make a voluntary donation to one of nine partner charities (ITV This Morning).
• Each will drafted through Will Aid can be registered for free via the National Will Register (Macmillan Cancer Support).
• The scheme is available across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, though not all participating solicitors cover complex estates.

The implication: free schemes cost nothing upfront but expect a donation, making them a trade-off rather than a purely free service.

What’s the catch with a free will?

What hidden fees are associated with free wills?

• Free will schemes often require the testator to make a charitable gift in their will — a legal promise that may not suit everyone (ITV This Morning).
• Solicitors may charge for additional services such as trust creation, property advice, or storing the will (Macmillan Cancer Support notes that Jones Whyte and Wilson Nesbitt offer free storage, but not all firms do).
• If the will is later amended or withdrawn, the charity donation may still be expected.

Do free wills cover complex estates?

• Free schemes typically provide a simple will covering straightforward assets. If you own multiple properties, run a business, or have foreign assets, the solicitor may refuse the service or charge extra (ITV This Morning).
• Macmillan’s Free Will Service advises that urgent wills (for health reasons) can be requested by phone (Macmillan Cancer Support).

Are free wills legally binding?

• Yes, as long as the will meets the formal requirements: it must be in writing, signed by the testator, and witnessed by two people (one in Scotland) (Macmillan Cancer Support).
• The solicitor ensuring compliance with these rules is what makes a free will valid — the same as a paid will.

The pattern: free wills serve a specific audience; beyond that, paying upfront saves future headaches.

Who is the best person to write your will?

Should you use a solicitor or an online service?

• Solicitors regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (England and Wales) and the Law Society of Scotland offer professional indemnity insurance and personalised advice (MoneySavingExpert).
• Online will‑writing services are cheaper but come with no face‑to‑face guidance; errors in the signing process can make a will invalid.
• Martin Lewis advises using a solicitor for free will schemes because the solicitor will ensure the will is correctly executed (ITV This Morning).

Can you write a will yourself without a solicitor?

• Yes, a DIY will is legal if it meets the requirements: written, signed, and witnessed (Macmillan Cancer Support).
• However, the charity warns that a soft copy on a computer is not valid — the will must be on paper (Macmillan Cancer Support).
• Without professional advice, mistakes in wording or witnessing can void the entire document.

What qualifications should a will writer have?

• Look for solicitors who specialise in wills and probate. In England and Wales, they should be on the Solicitors Regulation Authority register (MoneySavingExpert).
• Will writing is not a regulated profession in the UK — anyone can call themselves a will writer. Stick with regulated solicitors for legal protection.

What this means: regulated solicitors offer the most secure route, while DIY or online services carry greater risk of invalidity.

What voids a will in Ireland?

What are the formal requirements for a valid will in Ireland?

• Irish law requires the will to be in writing, signed by the testator, and witnessed by two adults who are not beneficiaries (Macmillan Cancer Support outlines similar UK requirements; Irish rules are comparable).
• The testator must be 18 or over and of sound mind (Macmillan Cancer Support).
• The will must be made voluntarily, without pressure from anyone else (Macmillan Cancer Support).

What mistakes can make a will invalid?

• Failure to sign the will in the presence of two witnesses (or one in Scotland) at the same time can render it void (Macmillan Cancer Support).
• If the witnesses are beneficiaries or their spouses, the will may be invalid or the gift to them fails.
• Not updating a will after marriage or divorce can revoke it automatically in many jurisdictions (UK Government guidance).

How does Irish law differ from UK law?

• Ireland has specific rules around the forced share of a surviving spouse, which differs from UK law where you are generally free to disinherit a spouse.
• The tax treatment of inheritance (Capital Acquisitions Tax in Ireland vs Inheritance Tax in the UK) affects how you structure gifts.
• UK free will schemes generally do not cover Ireland; residents of Ireland should consult a local solicitor for region‑specific advice (MoneySavingExpert).

The catch: Irish residents must seek local expertise because UK free schemes don’t apply, and legal differences are significant.

What is the best way to leave your house to your children?

Should you put your house in trust?

• A trust can protect the home from care home fees and ensure it passes to children without falling into a spouse’s new relationship (MoneySavingExpert).
• Trusts are complex and should be drafted by a solicitor specialising in estate planning.
• Without a trust, leaving the house outright may trigger inheritance tax if the estate exceeds the nil‑rate band.

What are the tax implications of leaving a house to children?

• The inheritance tax nil‑rate band is £325,000 per individual (UK). A residence nil‑rate band of £175,000 may also apply if the home is left to direct descendants (UK Government guidance).
• Rates and thresholds differ in Ireland (Capital Acquisitions Tax threshold of €335,000 for children).
• Gifting the house while you are alive can have immediate capital gains tax implications.

How to avoid inheritance disputes?

• Use clear, unambiguous language in the will. Vague phrases like “my belongings” can lead to family arguments (MoneySavingExpert).
• Consider a letter of wishes alongside the will to explain your reasoning.
• If you plan to leave the house unequally among children, explicitly state why to reduce conflict.

The pattern: trusts and clear language minimise tax and disputes; advance planning pays off.

Five options, one pattern: free schemes save money but limit scope; paid solicitors offer full protection. The table below compares the main routes.

How to write a will for free or cheap (step by step)

1. Assess your estate. List all assets, debts, and beneficiaries. Simple estates (one house, savings, no trusts) are suited to free schemes or DIY kits.
2. Choose your route:
   • If you are over 55, check Free Wills Month (March/October) via Age UK.
   • If any age, use Will Aid in November (ITV This Morning).
   • Year‑round free option: Macmillan’s Free Will Service (Macmillan Cancer Support).
3. Book an appointment with a participating solicitor. Provide details of your assets and chosen beneficiaries.
4. Review the draft carefully. Check names, property descriptions, and executors.
5. Sign your will in the presence of two witnesses (one in Scotland) who are not beneficiaries (Macmillan Cancer Support).
6. Store your will somewhere safe and tell your executors where. Free storage is offered by some firms (e.g., Jones Whyte, Wilson Nesbitt) (Macmillan Cancer Support).
7. Review every 5 years or after a major life change (marriage, divorce, birth).

“Charity wills aren’t ‘free’. Yes you have to leave a donation… but it’s a good way to get a will sorted cheaply.”

— Martin Lewis, via ITV This Morning

“A will must be made by a person aged 18 or over, voluntarily and without pressure from any other person.”

— Macmillan Cancer Support

“The will must be on paper – a soft copy on a computer is not valid. It must be signed by the testator with two witnesses present (one witness in Scotland).”

— Macmillan Cancer Support

“Free Wills Month takes place in March and October every year. Supporters aged 55 or over can have a simple will written or updated for free by a participating solicitor.”

— Age UK

The implication is clear: free schemes have their place, but they are not a one‑size‑fits‑all solution. For a straightforward estate, using a charity‑backed free will service is the cheapest way to get professional help. For anything more complex — a business, trusts, or Irish assets — biting the bullet on a solicitor’s fee is the prudent step. The cost of an invalid will or a family dispute far exceeds the £150–£300 you might save. For UK residents with simple affairs, the best advice from Martin Lewis is to use a free scheme in your eligible month and ensure the will is properly witnessed. For those in Ireland, a local solicitor is essential because UK free schemes do not apply.

While setting up a will is crucial, Martin Lewis also emphasises the importance of power of attorney guides as a separate but equally vital legal safeguard.

Frequently asked questions