online will writing service

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The 6 Best Online Will Makers of 2024

• An online will maker service for your estate planning needs costs anywhere from $0–$299.
• You can create a legally binding will for free in a few hours when you use Rocket Lawyer.
• Our top choice for online will makers of 2024 is LegalZoom because of its step-by step process with guidance from knowledgeable attorneys, range of offerings, and easy-to-use platform.

Our  Reviews Team  is made up of credentialed attorneys who researched and used the online will-making services we reviewed so we can help you decide which is best for you. We selected our top choices based on:

• 200+ hours of research
• 100+ hours of estate law education
• Eight brands reviewed
• Five brands selected
• Four experts consulted
• 500+ third party reviews referenced

To better explain our research, we’ve listed pros and cons, best uses, and rankings of common features.

Creating a will can be an overwhelming and expensive process, which might be why only 46% of all American adults have one, according to a Gallup poll . [1] Gallup.com. How Many Americans Have a Will? June 23, 2021. Found on the Internet at https://news.gallup.com/poll/351500/how-many-americans-have-will.aspx Miranda M. Riva, Esq. headshot Miranda M. Riva But it is possible to create a long-lasting will for an affordable price. If an attorney isn’t in your budget, an online will-making service can be a good alternative.

Online will-making services ask a series of questions to help you generate your will document and use your responses to generate a state-specific form you can download and print. Experienced estate attorneys design or review state-specific forms. As long as you provide accurate information and execute your will in accordance with your state’s laws, your online will should be legally acceptable.

While an online will is a viable option for most people, the following circumstances might be better handled with the help of an attorney:

• Complex financial situation (for example, large amounts of debt)
• Complicated family structure (for example, questions of disinheritance)
• Undecided wishes (for example, how to divide your estate)

Our Reviews Team researched and tested the best online will-making services. In this article, we summarize our experience and compare and contrast picks for the best will-making services on the internet.

A quick look at the best online will maker services

• LegalZoom : Editor’s Pick
• Trust & Will : Most User-Friendly
• Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker & Trust : Best Value
• GoodTrust : Best for All-in-One Services
• Rocket Lawyer : Most Affordable
• U.S. LegalWills : Best for Lifetime Unlimited Updates

The best online will maker services of 2024

Editor’s pick: legalzoom.

• Promotions:  N/A
• Document storage:  Yes, with LegalZoom account
• Access to an attorney:  Yes, with certain packages or membership
• Unlimited updates: Free for 30 days or 1 year with certain packages
• Satisfaction guarantee:  60-day full refund

LegalZoom estate planning packages

LegalZoom offers four different estate planning packages, and each has varying access to attorneys.

All packages include a healthcare directive, financial power of attorney, HIPAA authorization, 30 days of free revisions, and printing & shipping of one set of documents.

Here is the current package information that LegalZoom offers:

Basic Will ($99):

Everything mentioned above plus:

• Last will & testament

Premium Will ($249)

• Attorney review of your documents
• Unlimited 30 day min calls with an attorney for 1 year
• Attorney advice for your family
• 1 year of free revisions

Basic Trust ($399)

• Living trust
• Pour-over will
• Certificate of trust
• Schedule of assets
• Bill of transfer

Premium Trust ($549)

• Unlimited 30 min calls with an attorney for 1 year

The questionnaire to generate your will is easy to use. You can download the packet immediately, and it includes instructions for making your will valid under your state’s laws. Unlike other services with an annual or monthly membership and unlimited updates, LegalZoom doesn’t have a process for you to update your documents outside of the specified time period with your package. For example, if you purchase the basic will for $99, but you wait to make changes until after the 30-day unlimited update window, you’ll have to pay $199 to make revisions.

Legal Assist plan membership

LegalZoom offers direct attorney assistance through its Legal Assist plan membership. Available to all users seeking legal advice on any topic, it can be purchased as a year-long membership for $199 or a six-month membership for $119. Direct attorney assistance is automatically built into the Premium Will and Premium Trust packages.

The membership offers unlimited 30-minute consultations on new legal matters. A new legal matter is completely unique from, and not at all related to, a legal matter you previously inquired about.

For example, you may be limited to a single 30-minute discussion about your will document. If you need to go over 30-minutes or make a second inquiry about it, it may not be considered a “new legal matter.” In that case, the attorney you’re connected with will give you their fee structure (which varies by attorney) and bill you for any additional time. You’re always connected with an attorney in your state, so that fee will vary based on your location and their firm’s billable hourly cost. If you’re a LegalZoom member, you’ll get 25% off the firm’s standard rate for representation.

Because Legal Assist is a yearly or six-month membership, it will auto-renew at the year or six-month mark, depending on what you have chosen. If you purchased a Premium Will or Premium Trust package, you can expect the Legal Assist portion of this to auto-renew after a year for $199.

Customer reviews

LegalZoom has 4.5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot based on 3,300 reviews. More than 80% of reviewers gave it 5 out of 5 stars. Customers mentioned they were longtime subscribers, and the service continues to meet their needs. We found 13% of all reviewers gave LegalZoom 1 out of 5 stars, complaining the website often directs to an error page and provides unclear descriptions of deadlines and fees.

Our experience

The overall questionnaire process for completing a will was straightforward and in easy-to-understand language.

It was easy to sign up and purchase a package. We were impressed with the value of the Premium Will, which is an extra $100 but comes with unlimited, 30-minute phone calls with an attorney for up to a year and one year of free revisions.

When we asked questions through chat, a helpful response followed within five minutes. We reached a representative by phone within 10 minutes. An email response took around one business day.

Customer service options

• Phone:  888-379-0854 available 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday; 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET, weekends
• Email:  [email protected]
• Contact on the website:   Contact us

Why we chose LegalZoom

LegalZoom was one of the first companies in online legal assistance. Since its founding in 2001, it has helped more than 2 million customers with their estate planning needs. Unlike its competitors, LegalZoom offers direct attorney assistance in several legal specialties, making it qualified to assist customers with a wide variety of legal needs. In addition, Legal Zoom has one of the lowest starting costs for creating a will, earning it our distinction of “Editor’s Pick.”

Most User-Friendly: Trust & Will

• Cost:  $199
• Promotions:  $10 off with code Gimmie10
• Document storage:  Yes, with annual Trust & Will membership
• Access to an attorney:  Yes, for an additional cost (currently only available in 17 states)
• Unlimited updates:  Free for the first year, then $19 per year
• Satisfaction guarantee:  30-day full refund

Trust & Will Estate Planning Package

Trust & Will currently only offers a single package for creating an online will.

Will-based estate package ($199):

Last will and testament

• Power of attorney
• Living will
• HIPAA authorization form A HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) authorization form is important when you execute a living will or advance health care directive because it gives the person in charge of medical decisions access to your medical history.

For more information about this online will service, read our in-depth Trust & Will review.

Trust & Will was founded in 2017 and has quickly become established in the online estate planning industry. The company offers a free year of unlimited updates with your $199 purchase. To make changes to your documents after the year has passed, you can become a member for $19 per year, and you can make unlimited updates for as long as you retain membership. Trust & Will also offers do-it-yourself probate tools executors of a will (those who carry out the will) can purchase if they need state-specific assistance when entering   probate Probate is the legal procedure your estate goes through after you pass away.  court.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for when completing your estate documents, you can use the chat function at the bottom of the page,  send an email , or  fill out an inquiry form  to get help from an expert. You can use the chat function to connect with someone  during business hours  or find out more information about a topic. find recommended resources, and connect to an expert if you need help.

Trust & Will has 4.6 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot based on more than 3,400 reviews. Close to 90% of the reviews left by customers are 5 out of 5 stars. Customers called out the simplicity and clarity of the platform overall, as well as great customer service when issues or questions arose. Complaints focused on issues with the website timing out and no room for customizations when answering questions.

At first glance, Trust & Will has one of the most visually organized website designs in the industry. The layout is intuitive and easy to navigate.

One thing our team didn’t like is its lack of a simple will option and overall inability to customize. While it offers high-quality documents, you may not need all four of the documents in the package.

The auto-response that appears when you ask a question leads to a number of related resources we found helpful. We waited five minutes to talk to an expert on chat, and the wait for an email response was a few hours.

Read more in our full  Trust & Will  review.

• Phone:  866-908-7878 available 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday; Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT
• Email:  [email protected]
• Contact on the website:   Submit a request

Why we chose Trust & Will

Trust & Will earned our “Most User-Friendly” status for two main reasons: the site gave helpful explanations and tips throughout the will-creation process, and it provided thorough and well-researched resources for additional information on estate planning topics. Each time we asked a question using any of the provided channels of contact, our Legal Reviews Team received an accurate answer within two hours. Compared with other companies on this list that took at least one day to respond, the quick turnaround time is impressive. We felt this was the closest experience to hiring a lawyer.

Best Value: Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker & Trust

• Cost:  $99–$209
• Promotions:  25% off with code T1040
• Document storage:  Yes, with the top package through a partnership with  Everplans
• Access to an attorney:  Not through platform, but Nolo can connect you with a local attorney
• Unlimited updates:  Free for the first year, then cost varies based on package ($99–$209)

Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker & Trust packages

Quicken WillMaker & Trust offers three different customized estate plan packages:

Starter ($99):

• Health care power of attorney
• Final arrangement forms

Plus ($139):

The plus package has all the starter package features and:

• Financial power of attorney
• Letters to survivors
• Transfer on death deed
• Estate planning tools available as downloadable software

All-access ($209):

The all-access package has all the starter and plus package features and:

• One year subscription to  Everplans  (document and information storage service)

If you can’t decide which package you want, our Reviews Team recommends beginning with the starter package. You can upgrade at any time in your dashboard.

Quicken WillMaker & Trust has been helping customers make their wills for the last 30 years. The online questionnaire format doesn’t require you to download anything, which keeps the process simple. But if you want to keep your personal information off the internet, the downloadable software guarantees your documents are only accessible through your personal device. Along with increased privacy, the software offers a high-contrast mode for people with  vision loss .

To make the process easy, Quicken WillMaker & Trust provides a checklist before starting the questionnaire. A “helpful information” box below the prompt will guide you if you are unsure of how to answer. Quicken WillMaker & Trust also provides an  extensive book (available online)  with detailed instructions and additional information to help create your will.

Quicken WillMaker & Trust has 4.5 out of 5 stars on  Trustpilot  based on more than 230 reviews. Of those reviews, 74% give the service 5 out of 5 stars, specifically mentioning how easy the product is to use and its inclusivity for people of all ages and backgrounds. Only 5% of users gave 1 out of 5 stars, mentioning never hearing back from customer service after making an inquiry and having technical issues with the software.

Quicken WillMaker & Trust was by far the easiest platform for our Reviews Team to purchase and use. The language throughout the questionnaire was clear, and the option for further information provided an extra layer of guidance. We were specifically impressed with the number of high-quality documents you can get for such an affordable cost.

We found it difficult to get in contact with the company, since you don’t have access to direct contact links or a chat feature on the website. But we were able to reach a representative within five minutes using the toll-free phone number. An email response took around one business day. Customer service can only help with service- and product-related issues. They cannot answer legal questions.

For more information about this online will service, read our in-depth  LegalZoom Review .

• Phone:  800-728-3555 available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday
• Email:   [email protected]
• Contact on the website:  N/A

Why we chose Quicken WillMaker & Trust

Best for all-in-one services: goodtrust.

• Promotions: N/A
• Document storage: Yes
• Access to an attorney: No
• Unlimited updates: Free for 1 year, $39 annual members for continued changes after year
• Satisfaction guarantee: 14-day full refund

GoodTrust offers one estate planning package which includes a will, trust, power of attorney, advanced directives, funeral directives, guardianship documentation, and storage of all important documents in their Smart Digital Vault.

Unlimited revisions are included in the GoodTrust package for one year, which costs $149. Additional revisions can be made after one year as part of the subscription service costing $39 per year.

Since their founding in 2020, GoodTrust has been offering one comprehensive estate planning package along with document storage in their Smart Digital Vault. Because GoodTrust doesn’t offer attorney support, we feel this service is best for individuals with straightforward estate planning needs who desire a simple, self-guided process for completing their needed documents in one place. GoodTrust stands out as an all-in-one service since their package includes a will, trust, directives, and power of attorney, along with additional wills for all adult family members at no added cost.

According to GoodTrust, all of their documents have been created by experienced attorneys and unlimited revisions can be made for up to one year, after which changes can be made using their $39 yearly subscription.

GoodTrust has a 3.5 out of 5 stars on TrustPilot based on 40 reviews. Of those reviews, 60% give the service 5 out 5 stars, specifically mentioning the helpfulness of customer support when users had questions about completing their documents. Of the 40 reviewers, 15% give GoodTrust 1 out of 5 stars, with one reviewer unsatisfied with the price and another the lack of state-specific services.

Contact on the website: mygoodtrust.com/contact

Why we chose GoodTrust

GoodTrust earned the “best for all-in-one services” from our Reviews Team because this estate planning service offers users everything they need to create a will, trust, and advance directives in one, comprehensive package. In addition to their all-in-one services, GoodTrust includes unlimited wills for all adult family members and unlimited revisions to documents for the first year. Although GoodTrust doesn’t offer attorney support, they state all of their documents were created by experienced attorneys to ensure accuracy.

Most Affordable: Rocket Lawyer

• Cost:  $0–$19.99 per month
• Promotions:  Seven-day free trial followed by a month-long trial for $5
• Document storage:  Yes, with monthly Rocket Lawyer membership
• Access to an attorney:  Yes, unlimited 30-minute consultation on new legal issues
• Unlimited updates:  Free for seven days, $5 for the second month, then $39.99 per month
• Satisfaction guarantee:  No

Rocket Lawyer estate planning package

Rocket Lawyer doesn’t offer a specific estate package, but for the free seven-day trial and while you’re an active member paying the monthly $39.99 fee, you’ll get access to hundreds of other state-specific legal forms, and you’ll be able to make unlimited changes to your documents.

When you pay for the membership, you’ll also get one free 30-minute consultation with an attorney regarding any new legal matters (new and unrelated to previous inquiries) that arise.

Rocket Lawyer is known mostly for its quick and easy-to-use website with free legal forms and templates. It may be a good option if you’re about to have surgery and want to quickly get a will in place.

After you create an account and answer questions to create your will, you’ll need to put in your credit card information before you can download your document. You’ll have access to your will and any other legal form you can find on the Rocket Lawyer database for free during the initial seven-day trial. After your trial expires, Rocket Lawyer will automatically charge $39.99 per month, unless you cancel ahead of time.

While our team chose Rocket Lawyer as a great free option for creating your will, this service doesn’t provide extra assistance or guidance when completing the questionnaire. Additionally, if you forget to cancel the free trial, you may end up paying more for your documents than if you chose a different service.

Rocket Lawyer has 4.7 out of 5 stars on  Trustpilot  based on more than 7,000 reviews. More than 80% of reviewers gave it 5 out of 5 stars. Customers highlighted the free document feature and the range of legal forms available on the database. Only 4% of customers gave it 1 out of 5 stars, reporting difficulty canceling the subscription and issues connecting with an attorney.

Rocket Lawyer is a great resource for legal forms, especially for estate planning. We also like that you can get a custom-made will for free.

What we didn’t like is how you go through the questionnaire process before you’re asked to put in credit card information. It felt misleading at first, since it’s advertised as a free will but also asks for payment before you can view the finished document. If you call or email to cancel your subscription within the seven-day period you can complete and download whatever legal forms you want for free. When we emailed, we got a response back within five hours. When calling, it took about 15 minutes to connect with a representative.

Customer Service Options

• Phone:  877-881-0947 available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday
• Email:  N/A
• Contact on the website:  ( Contact us )

Why we chose Rocket Lawyer

Rocket Lawyer is the only online will service we reviewed that generates a downloadable will for free, which is why we named it “Most Affordable.” It ties with U.S. LegalWills for the lowest starting price ($39), but it offers more forms with no extra cost and has attorneys available, unlike U.S. LegalWills.

Best for Lifetime Unlimited Updates: U.S. LegalWills

• Cost:  $39.95–$129.95
• Promotions:  When you join, your partner will get 40% off their membership; refer a friend, they get a 10% discount, and you get a $20 Amazon gift card
• Document storage:  Yes, with purchase
• Access to an attorney:  No
• Unlimited updates:  Yes, cost varies

U.S. LegalWills estate planning packages

Last will and testament ($39.95):

Premium last will and testament ($69.95):

The premium package has all the last will and testament package features and:

• Personalized messages and wishes
• Family access to your documents

Complete estate plan ($99.95):

The complete estate plan has all the premium package features and:

Premium estate plan ($129.95):

The premium estate plan has all the complete estate plan features and:

• My Life Locker
• Digital Vault

Unlimited updates:

• First year: Free
• Two years: $11.95
• Five years: $29.95
• 10 years: $39.95
• 25 years: $79.95
• Life: $129.95

U.S. LegalWills offers three different and affordable estate planning bundle packages. You can also choose a “build your own” option and add the documents you need, instead of paying for documents you don’t need. This makes U.S. LegalWills one of the most customizable will-making services we reviewed.

U.S. LegalWills also has advanced information storage available with  My Life Locker , which stores personal information, and  Digital Vault , which contains documents you want to upload for future use by your executor. These two storage options are only available with the highest tier package.

U.S. LegalWills has 4.6 out of 5 stars on  Trustpilot  based on more than 400 reviews. More than 80% of reviewers gave it 5 out of 5 stars. Customers highlighted how easy the process was and how quickly they were able to complete the forms.

Some customers complained the forms weren’t upheld in a court of law. To each of those reviews, a customer service representative defended U.S. LegalWills and gave citations to the law supporting the forms.

Despite the website platform appearing outdated, the questionnaire process was simple. The “try now for free” option at the bottom of the package prices was misleading. This is not the same as the free trial Rocket Lawyer offers. You’ll move through the will-creation process, but at the end, only a preview of the first page of your will is available to you. To see the rest, you’ll need to purchase the product. It took about 10 minutes to connect with a representative by phone, and an email response took around 10 hours.

• Phone:  888-660-9455 available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday
• Email:  [email protected]

Why we chose U.S. LegalWills

What makes U.S. LegalWills stand out is the cost of unlimited updates, which is why we named it “Best for Lifetime Unlimited Updates.” Most notably, the lifetime deal costs a flat fee of $129.95. For other online will services, the cost to make unlimited updates ranges from $19 to more than $300 per year. Cost varies depending on how long you want to be able to make updates.

What to look for in the best online will makers

Estate planning is a customizable experience, so flexibility is important. Most platforms offer some variation of the features below, whether in a bundle or as add-on services.

The most important document in the estate planning process is a last will and testament , often referred to as a “will.” This document specifies who will be responsible for distributing your estate and can give detailed instructions about which beneficiaries are entitled to certain items or sums of money. Many wills also include guardianship details if the will writer has minor children or pets.

When you create an online will, you’ll answer a series of personal and financial questions that will help create your final document. Each one of the services we’ve selected has state-specific forms created by estate planning experts. After finishing the questionnaire, you can download the completed documents, print them out, and execute them according to the instructions provided by your online will service.

Additional estate planning documents

Creating a simple will is important at any stage in your life, but you should consider additional documents as well. The most common estate documents, in addition to a will, are a power of attorney and a living will (also called a health care directive). Most online services offer these legal documents as an add-on feature, but some offer a package deal for all three. Depending on your circumstances, you may want to invest in a service that offers a bundle. Read our guide to learn how to make a will without a lawyer .

Unlimited updates

Celeste Robertson , Esq., a member of the Texas Bar Foundation and practicing attorney since 1994, advised “you should review your will and other estate planning documents every three to five years” and always “revisit these documents whenever significant life changes occur.” Robertson gave the following examples of significant life changes:

• Birth of a child [or grandchild]
• A substantial change in assets.

That means it’s important to note whether you can make changes to your documents in the platform you choose. Many services offer free, unlimited changes for at least the first 30 days after purchase. Others offer free changes for up to a year or without limits. With services that offer a membership, you’ll generally be able to make unlimited updates to your estate documents so long as you pay the monthly or annual subscription.

Document storage

While you should always have an original paper copy of all your important documents, it’s a great idea to have virtually accessible backup copies. Most of our top choices have a virtual storage space for your will and any other documents you completed using the service. Some even allow you to upload additional important documents, such as:

• Identification cards
• Real estate deeds
• Account numbers
• Life insurance policy
• Tax documents

When choosing a virtual storage base, security is a top concern. Each of the services on this list that offers document storage has one or two layers of encryption (converting information into a code to prevent unauthorized access) to protect sensitive information from anyone who doesn’t have authorization to access your account. Quicken WillMaker & Trust and Trust & Will both took an extra step by undergoing Type 2 Service Organization Control 2 (SOC 2 Type 2) auditing ⓘ SOC 2 Type 2 is an exam used to evaluate and report on the effectiveness of a service organization’s controls related to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. , which provides an independent, third-party assessment of a service organization’s security during a period of time.

Family plan

Some online services offer a second will for a discounted price. This is ideal if your spouse or close family member is also interested in creating a will. Even if spouses or partners own property and assets together, it’s common for them to create reciprocal wills. These are two separate wills, each making the other the beneficiary of the entire estate. For services that offer a family plan, you can often get the second will at a discounted price, and you can easily add it on at checkout.

Helpful hint: If this feature is essential for you, Quicken WillMaker & Trust allows you to make an unlimited number of wills with a single purchase of one of its products. In other words, you can get estate documents for the whole family for the cost of one package.

Attorney assistance

While most people creating a will online can do so without additional assistance, you might be interested in seeking general legal advice or having a lawyer look over your will, especially if you have a complex estate plan. Some services offer specialized legal assistance throughout the creation process—usually at a higher cost. If you anticipate needing an estate planning attorney to look over your documents at any point during the process, you should consider choosing a service that offers this as an add-on feature.

Helpful hint: If this feature is essential for you, you might consider the premium package from LegalZoom. You’ll have on-demand, unlimited 30-minute calls with an attorney to ask whatever estate questions you have for 1 year after purchase. Other services cost more than $200 per year for this level of access or limit your questions to “new legal matters” only.

Satisfaction guarantee

Many services are backed by a 30-day money-back satisfaction guarantee. Some guarantees may come with limitations or will only apply refunds to certain services.

How we reviewed online will-making services

The Reviews Team curated a scoring system for online will-making services that considers the value for money, ease of use, customer support, features, and customer satisfaction. Here’s how it breaks down:

• Value for money (35% of total score): We rated the value of every online will maker’s basic package. We also considered whether the service offered free or unlimited will revisions and a money-back satisfaction guarantee.
• Ease of use (25% of total score): We looked at whether we could navigate the website successfully and where the roadblocks, if any, came up. Did we have trouble adding features or signing into our account? We compared our experiences before and after account setup.
• Customer support (20% of total score): We reviewed each company’s customer service offerings through email, phone, and chat, and gave a score based on timeliness and accuracy of responses.
• Features (15% of total score): We looked at the essential estate planning features and add-on services the company offers and whether the packages are customizable.
• Customer satisfaction (5% of total score): We looked at customer ratings across trusted third-party review sites, like Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot, and rated our own satisfaction with the process.

Bottom line

After hundreds of hours researching, our Reviews Team found the above online will maker companies to be the top five in the market. We found Legal Zoom is our best overall because of its combination of excellent legal support, step-by-step process, and affordable prices.

We liked Trust & Will for its excellent customer support and user-friendly creation process, and if you’re looking for high-quality documents and affordable ongoing support, Quicken WillMaker & Trust would be your best option. If you want to have an attorney review your will and answer questions along the way, LegalZoom is our top pick for legal assistance. With its free will option, Rocket Lawyer is best for those on a budget. If making unlimited lifetime updates is high on your priority list, U.S. LegalWills is a great option.

For more resources about planning for the future:

• Read our guidance on managing someone else’s legal, financial, and medical decisions
• Be informed about estate recovery , how it works, and how it can affect you or a loved one

Comparison of best online will makers, as of December 2024

*Create a will for free during the seven-day trial period.

**If your order has been completed, you have 7 days from completion to request a refund.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, it’s completely legitimate to use an online service to create your will. As long as you execute the document in accordance with your state’s laws, your online will is legally binding.

Among those reviewed services, Trust & Will was our number one “Editor’s Pick.” Next, we chose LegalZoom, Quicken WillMaker & Trust, followed by Rocket Lawyer, and U.S. LegalWills.

The main pros of online wills are they’re more affordable than hiring an estate attorney, they can be created from home, and they’re easier than writing a will from scratch.

The main cons of online wills are that an attorney review is not available with all services, they might not be the best option for those with a complicated estate, and unlimited updates not available with all services (requiring re-purchase to make updates).

The price to create a simple online will range from $0–$89. Some packages offering several documents, in addition to a will, can cost up to $299.

While an online will is designed to be legally binding if you provide accurate information and follow your state’s laws, its validity could be contested if someone has reason to believe it wasn’t written properly.

In some circumstances, such as complex financial situations, complicated family structures, or undecided wishes, it’s best to consult an attorney.

Have questions about this review? Email us at [email protected] .

• Gallup.com. How Many Americans Have a Will? June 23, 2021. Found on the Internet at https://news.gallup.com/poll/351500/how-many-americans-have-will.aspx

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Best Online Will Makers of 2024

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The best online will makers are reasonably priced, easy to use and tailored to each state’s requirements and offer online wills that are customizable to your life circumstances. Online will makers also can guide you through the process with good support and help you start estate planning on your timeline. Here are our top picks.

If you have a complicated family situation or large estate, you may want to hire an attorney to help craft yours. But online wills and online will makers can cost less and meet your state’s legal requirements, too.

Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker: Best all-inclusive

Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker

Nolo’s services are among the most comprehensive on the market.

• Straightforward, user-friendly process.
• One year of free updates to your documents.
• Access to over 35 estate planning documents depending on plan.
• Software download available with only Windows 8.1/10/11 or macOS 10.13 and higher.
• Documents aren’t valid in Louisiana or U.S. territories.
• No access to attorney support.

on Nolo's website

What it looks like

Why we like it

Nolo’s services are among the most comprehensive on the market. Its Quicken WillMaker offers over 35 state-specific estate planning documents in one place, available online or as a software download. The service can be used to make a pour-over will, health care directive , living trust , letters to survivors and other financial management documents, depending on your annual plan.

All three plans help you craft a will via a simple, straightforward questionnaire that guides you to the documents you need. If you decide not to use the cloud version, be sure you have enough space on your computer (54 megabytes) to download the software.

» MORE: See our full review of Quicken WillMaker

GoodTrust: Best for digital assets

GoodTrust's “Digital Vault” feature is helpful for incorporating your online assets into your estate plan for a reasonable cost.

• Digital vault for organizing online accounts and digital assets.
• Unlimited updates.
• Family plan (each adult member can create their own documents) for no additional cost.
• No attorney support.
• Documents aren’t state-specific but are binding in all 50 states when following state-specific instructions.

on GoodTrust's website

GoodTrust stands out for its “Digital Vault” feature, an encrypted online platform for secure storage of any online asset, including social media accounts, subscriptions and online banking information. You can add a trusted contact to any account on an item-by-item basis and provide detailed instructions, such as how to memorialize your Facebook account or where to transfer your Venmo balance.

GoodTrust offers key estate planning documents for a reasonable fee compared to other estate planning services. The service includes customer support via email ticket and live chat during the will-making process.

» MORE: Learn what can happen if you die intestate (without a will)

Trust & Will: Best for ease of use

Trust & Will

Trust & Will stands out for its quick and easy-to-use process.

• Simple and straightforward process for an online will.
• Unlimited updates with an annual membership.
• Add a year of attorney support for $300.
• Not great for complex family or financial situations.

on Trust & Will's website

Trust & Will stands out for its quick and easy-to-use process. The online will maker service includes HIPAA authorization, living will and power of attorney documents. You can download your documents, but all documents also ship free for first-time users with state-specific notarization instructions.

The Trust & Will website also includes a library of educational content to help users understand estate planning, and unlimited attorney support is available for $200 per year.

» MORE: See our full review of Trust & Will

Rocket Lawyer: Best customer service

Rocket Lawyer

Rocket Lawyer stands out for its customer service, which includes the option to contact a lawyer for legal assistance via phone, email or online chat.

• Free seven-day membership trial.
• 30-minute phone consultation with a lawyer included with membership.
• Built-in chat feature to ask a lawyer questions.
• Membership can be costly.
• Must have membership to make changes after the trial period expires.

on Rocket Lawyer's website

Rocket Lawyer stands out for its customer service, which includes the option to contact a lawyer for legal assistance via phone, email or online chat. This service is included in Rocket Lawyer’s $39.99 monthly fee, which gives you access to all estate planning documents on the platform.

Otherwise, you can fill out the company’s free will template. The seven-day free trial is a great way to take advantage of the upgraded customer service, but you’ll have to pay to make updates after the trial ends.

» MORE: See our full review of Rocket Lawyer's Online Will

LegalZoom: Best state-specific legal advice

LegalZoom’s online will maker, like its other legal services, uses flat-fee pricing and offers attorney assistance for an added fee.

• Attorneys available for consultation in all 50 states.
• Flat-fee pricing.
• More expensive than some other online will makers.
• Relatively narrow document offerings.

on LegalZoom's website

LegalZoom’s online will maker, like its other legal services, uses flat-fee pricing and offers attorney assistance for an added fee. The company has independent attorneys available in all 50 states who can help make sure your documents comply with your state’s laws.

You can craft an online will starting at $199, which includes a power of attorney designation form and health care directives.

» MORE: See our full review of LegalZoom's online will maker

Do Your Own Will: Best free will software

Do Your Own Will

Do Your Own Will offers wills, living wills and power of attorney documents for download as PDFs and Word documents.

• Free documents, including living will and power of attorney.
• No account or credit card information needed.
• You’ll need to check state laws to make sure your will complies.
• No legal support available.

on Nerdwallet

Do Your Own Will offers wills, living wills and power of attorney documents for download as PDFs and Word documents. You can select your state and fill in basic information to craft a basic will at no cost. This service doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of other online will makers, and you may need to double-check the legal standards for your state, but it’s simple, functional and free.

» MORE: See our full review of Do Your Own Will

Fabric by Gerber Life: Best online will maker for young families

Fabric by Gerber Life

Fabric by Gerber Life offers a free online will maker catered to families with young children.

• Free online will template.
• Option to buy life insurance through the website.
• Specifically made for families with young children.
• No attorney access available.
• Wills aren’t state-specific.

Fabric by Gerber Life offers a free online will maker catered to families with young children. Fabric’s will template isn’t state-specific, though the website does provide instructions to make your will legally binding in your state. The process is fairly quick and offers an easy way to appoint guardians and beneficiaries , with the option to sign up for life insurance through the platform as well.

» MORE: See our full review of Fabric by Gerber Life Will

What other services does each will maker offer?

Are online wills legit.

Online wills can be legally binding if they’re specific to your state and properly notarized. Notarization requirements can vary from state to state; in some, you may need only two witnesses to sign and won’t need an attorney. Also, make sure to use a reputable, well-reviewed online will maker if you’re going the do-it-yourself route.

Other ways to write a will

Download a template.

Many websites have free and low-priced will templates available for download. You can find templates specific to your state and estate situation, though more specific forms may cost extra.

A template is a decent starter option if you can’t invest in a more comprehensive effort, but make sure the template meets your needs and state legal requirements.

Hire an attorney or estate tax professional

If your estate is complex or large, it might be worth your time and money to consult an estate planning attorney right away, especially if you live in a state with its own estate or inheritance taxes .

Hiring a professional can help ensure that you’re protected in specific situations you may have concerns about, including special child care provisions, business issues or a blended family with multiple heirs.

Hybrid approach

You can start writing your will yourself and then ask an attorney any lingering questions. By starting the process, you'll have answered or anticipated most questions a legal adviser would have and be able to discuss any concerns.

Your fees might also be lower because you’ll have done much of the prep work before consulting an attorney. However, even a partial lawyer's fee is more expensive than other will-writing methods, and working with a professional can be time-consuming and require multiple appointments.

Work on an estate plan with a financial advisor by your side. Find an advisor for free with NerdWallet Advisors Match.

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How to Write Your Will Online in 15 Minutes

One quick document can avoid leaving your estate in a mess.

My great-uncle, a bachelor and bon vivant, wrote his will on a cocktail napkin. It probably took less than 15 minutes to complete. When he died 14 years later, at age 90, the will was ruled valid in his state because it was properly witnessed by two people at a bar.

But you can write your will quickly and inexpensively without resorting to a napkin.

Laurie Macdonald, 66, had put off writing a will for years when she discovered FreeWill, a no-fee, online will-writing service. The former Florida program director of Defenders of Wildlife had once begun drafting a will with an attorney but never finished. FreeWill allowed her to get it done, Macdonald says: “It took more than 15 minutes, though probably not more than half an hour.”

Why bother?

Die without a will, and your state's laws determine who gets your assets — your bank accounts and everything else. A will is where you can make sure your camera collection goes to your nephew and your jewelry is divided among your daughters. Most important , if you have young children, a will is also where you can name a guardian for them should you die before they reach adulthood.

"For many people, state laws don't exactly meet their needs,” says attorney Paul Kassabian, legal product counsel at LegalZoom, which offers online will-writing packages. Macdonald's longtime partner, for one, wouldn't inherit anything at Macdonald's death if there were no will. Still, many people die without this document, leaving their heirs to battle over their estates. And you don't need to have Aretha Franklin's millions for such fights to get nasty.

It's easy to put off …

Forty-five percent of Americans 55 and older don't have a will, according to a new survey from Merrill Lynch and Age Wave. Why might that be? In 2017, when Caring.com, a senior-care resource, asked adults without a will why that was so, the most common answer was, “I just haven't gotten around to it.” The arrival of children didn't seem to have much impact: Only 36 percent of respondents with children under 18 had end-of-life plans in place.

… But easy to get done

Do-it-yourself sites and software can smooth the process. Says Macdonald about FreeWill, for instance: “It was really clear, really simple.” Supported by nonprofit organizations that might benefit from philanthropic commitments made in wills generated at its site, FreeWill has produced more than 27,000 wills since 2017; Rocket Lawyer says it has created over a million.

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State laws matter

If you don't follow all the local formalities, your will may not be legally valid. A lot can go wrong. In New York, witnesses need to include their residential addresses. In Utah, handwritten wills must be penned entirely by the person making the will. And in Louisiana, wills must be signed in the presence of a notary public. Find links to your state's laws .

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Avoid these goofs

Put your funeral wishes in your will and you may not get the send-off you planned. “Your will may not even be found until after you're buried,” cautions Kevin Flatley, an attorney and author of  The Little Blue Book of Estate Planning . Another common error is naming someone your executor without asking if he or she wants the job. Finally, retirement account assets, life insurance and annuities don't pass down via wills. Beneficiary-designation forms rule here. If they're not up to date, your ex-spouse could end up inheriting against your wishes.

See an attorney

If you have significant assets, children from multiple marriages or complicated business arrangements, you may need professional legal help. “There are a lot of variables, and it's easy for a layperson to overlook something,” says Flatley, noting that a will by itself may not be sufficient.

Low-bill wills

Where to go for a will when on a budget:

• FreeWill  This no-cost service also allows you to draw up a new will gratis if your wishes or circumstances change.
• LegalZoom  Services range from a $69 will to a $149 package that includes a living trust and related documents. 
• Quicken WillMaker Plus 2019  This $80 software package can create a will and other estate-planning paperwork. 
• Rocket Lawyer  A membership giving you access to estate-planning documents is $40 per month

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