Martin Lewis and Will Writing: Free and Low-Cost Options Explained

Many people searching for "Martin Lewis will writing" are looking for what MoneySavingExpert, the consumer site he founded, says about getting a will cheaply or for free. This guide reports that public guidance factually and adds balanced context.

MoneySavingExpert publishes a free and cheap wills guide that describes several routes, from seasonal charity schemes to online services and do-it-yourself kits (MoneySavingExpert, free and cheap wills, as at July 2026, subject to change). The sections below summarise those options, explain who each may suit, and point to the primary sources so the current details can be checked. Figures are current as at July 2026 and are subject to change, so it can help to verify each scheme on its own official site, gov.uk or moneyhelper.org.uk. For related reading, see our guides to how to write a will and how much a will costs.

Please note. Fairchild Oldfield is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Martin Lewis or MoneySavingExpert. Names of schemes and organisations are used here only to report publicly available information, not to imply any partnership or recommendation.

What do Martin Lewis and MoneySavingExpert say about will writing?

MoneySavingExpert, the site founded by Martin Lewis, publishes a guide to free and cheap wills. It explains that a valid will can matter for most adults and sets out routes to get one at low or no cost, including seasonal charity schemes, employer or union offers, online services and templates. It also cautions that do-it-yourself wills tend to suit only very simple wishes (MoneySavingExpert, as at July 2026, subject to change).

The guidance is general consumer information rather than personal advice. It presents options and trade-offs, leaving readers to judge what fits their circumstances. That approach mirrors how estate planners often frame the choice: the cheapest route may work well for a simple estate, while more complex family or tax situations may call for professional input. Our note on the cost of a will covers typical price ranges in more detail.

Free Wills Month

Free Wills Month brings together a group of charities to offer people aged 55 and over the chance to have a simple will written or updated free of charge, according to its organisers. For couples making mirror wills, only one partner needs to be 55. It runs in set periods, often around March and October, and appointments can be limited and fill quickly (freewillsmonth.org.uk, as at July 2026, subject to change).

The organisers state there is no obligation to leave a gift to one of the participating charities, though they say they hope many people will choose to. The scheme covers wills the solicitor treats as simple, and more complicated wishes may fall outside the free service (freewillsmonth.org.uk, as at July 2026, subject to change). Dates and participating firms change, so checking the official site near the time can help.

Will Aid

Will Aid is a scheme in which participating solicitors write a basic will and, instead of charging their usual fee, invite a voluntary donation to a group of charities. It typically runs in November and is open to adults. MoneySavingExpert reports a suggested donation of around £120 for a single will and £200 for a pair of mirror wills, though the donation is voluntary (MoneySavingExpert, as at July 2026, subject to change).

Because timing, availability and suggested donations can change each year, the current details are best confirmed on the scheme's own site (willaid.org.uk, as at July 2026, subject to change). As with other free schemes, cover tends to be for straightforward wills, and a solicitor may quote separately where the wishes are more involved.

The National Free Wills Network and charity schemes

Beyond the seasonal campaigns, many individual charities run their own free will offers, and the National Free Wills Network connects supporters with solicitors who prepare a simple will at no charge. MoneySavingExpert describes the network as covering a large number of charities, and notes that a charitable gift in the will is usually hoped for rather than required (MoneySavingExpert, as at July 2026, subject to change).

Charities such as cancer, stroke and animal-welfare organisations have offered similar arrangements, sometimes with their own age or membership conditions. These offers change and vary by region, so the terms are best checked directly with the charity or network before booking. Where an estate is larger or involves tax questions, our estate planning guide sets out how a will fits alongside trusts and inheritance tax.

Online and do-it-yourself wills

Online will services let people draft a will through a website, sometimes free or at low cost, with some providers offering solicitor checks and charging around £25 for storage. Do-it-yourself kits start at roughly £25. MoneySavingExpert suggests DIY routes suit only very simple wishes, and warns that using them for complex situations can raise the chance of a will failing to convey what was intended (MoneySavingExpert, as at July 2026, subject to change).

Whichever route is used, a will in England and Wales generally needs to be signed and witnessed correctly to be valid, and small mistakes can cause problems later. Our guide to will templates and DIY wills looks at the signing and witnessing rules and common pitfalls in more detail, and our note on how to write a will walks through the wider steps.

What to weigh before choosing

The cheapest route is not always the most suitable, and public guidance tends to frame the decision around how simple the estate is. A free or template will may work well for straightforward wishes, while blended families, business interests, trusts or possible inheritance tax can add complexity that professional input may address. Weighing cost against the risk of errors, rather than cost alone, is a common theme (MoneySavingExpert, as at July 2026, subject to change).

• Complexity. Simple wishes may fit a free or online will; more involved ones may not.
• Validity. A will can be challenged if it is not signed and witnessed correctly.
• Tax. Larger estates may raise inheritance tax questions a basic will does not address.
• Support. Free schemes cover the drafting, but usually not ongoing advice.

Frequently asked questions