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More than half of American adults don’t have a will. The most common reason? They think it’s too complicated, too expensive, or something they’ll “get to later.” The reality: creating a will online takes less than an hour, costs as little as $0–$200, and protects your family from a legal and financial nightmare if something happens to you.
Without a will, your state’s intestacy laws decide who gets your assets — and those laws don’t care about your wishes, your partner (if unmarried), your favorite charity, or which sibling should raise your kids. An online will puts you in control.
In this guide, we’ll compare the best online will services, walk you through the process step by step, explain what to include, and answer the questions that stop most people from ever getting started. For a broader view of protecting your family’s financial future, see our estate planning guide.
Best Online Will Services of 2026
| Service | Best For | Price | Includes Trust? | Attorney Review? | State Compliant? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trust & Will | Overall experience | $199 (will-based plan) | Optional ($499) | Optional add-on | All 50 states |
| FreeWill | Free basic will | Free | No | No | All 50 states |
| LegalZoom | Legal brand trust | $99–$249 | Yes ($299+) | Included (premium plan) | All 50 states |
| Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker | Comprehensive DIY | $99 (software) | No (separate product) | No | All states except LA |
| Rocket Lawyer | Ongoing legal needs | $39.99/month membership | Yes (included) | Included | All 50 states |
| Do Your Own Will | Budget option | $39 | No | No | All 50 states |
Our Top Picks Explained
1. Trust & Will — Best Overall Online Will Service
Trust & Will is purpose-built for estate planning (not a general legal platform), and it shows. The interface is clean, the questionnaire is thoughtful, and the resulting documents are state-specific and legally sound. They also offer guardian designation, power of attorney, and healthcare directive in one package.
Key features:
- Will-based estate plan: $199 (includes will, power of attorney, healthcare directive)
- Trust-based estate plan: $499
- Guardian plan: $69 (naming guardians for minor children only)
- State-specific documents reviewed by attorneys in your state
- Free updates for one year; $19/year after
- Optional attorney review available
Who it’s best for: Anyone who wants a polished, comprehensive estate plan at a reasonable price — especially young families naming guardians for children.
2. FreeWill — Best Free Option
FreeWill is completely free for a basic last will and testament. The service is funded by nonprofit partnerships — after you create your will, you’re invited (not required) to leave a charitable bequest. The platform is straightforward and the resulting document is legally valid in all 50 states.
Key features:
- 100% free basic will
- Simple, guided questionnaire (about 20 minutes)
- Legally valid in all 50 states
- Option to include charitable giving
- Limited to will only — no trust, POA, or healthcare directive
Who it’s best for: People with simple estates who want a free, no-strings-attached basic will.
3. LegalZoom — Best Trusted Legal Brand
LegalZoom is the most recognized name in online legal services. Their will plans range from basic ($99) to premium with attorney review ($249). If you want the peace of mind of a well-known company with customer support and optional legal review, LegalZoom delivers.
Key features:
- Plans from $99 to $249
- Premium plan includes 30-minute attorney consultation
- Trust-based plans available ($299+)
- Good customer support and educational resources
- Document storage and updates
Who it’s best for: People who value brand recognition and want the option of attorney guidance within the process.
How to Create a Will Online: Step by Step
Step 1: Gather Your Information
Before you start, collect:
- Personal details: Your full legal name, date of birth, address, and Social Security number
- Family information: Names and dates of birth of your spouse/partner and children
- Asset inventory: A list of your major assets — real estate, bank accounts, investment accounts, retirement accounts, vehicles, valuable personal property, digital assets
- Beneficiary decisions: Who should receive what? Think about specific bequests (“my guitar to my nephew”) and residuary estate (“everything else split equally among my children”)
- Guardian preferences: If you have minor children, who should raise them if both parents die? Always name a backup guardian
- Executor choice: Who will carry out the instructions in your will? This should be someone you trust who’s organized and responsible. Name an alternate executor too
Step 2: Choose Your Online Will Platform
Pick a service based on your needs:
- Simple estate, basic will: FreeWill (free) or Do Your Own Will ($39)
- Comprehensive estate plan (will + POA + healthcare directive): Trust & Will ($199)
- Want attorney review: LegalZoom ($249) or Rocket Lawyer ($39.99/mo)
- Need a trust: Trust & Will ($499) or LegalZoom ($299+)
Step 3: Complete the Questionnaire
Every online will platform uses a guided questionnaire. You’ll answer questions about:
- Your personal and family information
- What assets you own and how you’d like to distribute them
- Who you’re naming as executor (and backup executor)
- Guardian designations for minor children
- Whether you want to include charitable bequests
- Specific gifts (e.g., a family heirloom to a specific person)
- What should happen to your digital accounts and assets
Most questionnaires take 20–45 minutes to complete. Take your time with beneficiary decisions — these are the most consequential parts of your will.
Step 4: Review Your Document
After completing the questionnaire, the platform generates your will. Read every word carefully. Look for:
- Correct spelling of all names
- Accurate asset descriptions
- Clear beneficiary designations
- Appropriate guardian and executor choices
- Any default provisions you want to change
If you chose a plan with attorney review, your lawyer will check the document for legal issues and suggest improvements.
Step 5: Print and Sign Your Will
This is the step most people skip — and it makes the entire document worthless. An unsigned will has no legal effect. In most states, you must:
- Print the document on paper
- Sign it in the presence of two witnesses (who are not beneficiaries)
- Have your witnesses sign the document in your presence and each other’s presence
- Consider notarization: While not required in most states, a notarized “self-proving affidavit” makes probate smoother by eliminating the need for witnesses to testify in court later
State-specific rules: Most states require two witnesses. Louisiana requires a notary and two witnesses. Vermont requires three witnesses. Colorado, North Dakota, and a handful of other states accept “holographic” (handwritten) wills without witnesses — but a typed, witnessed will is always safer.
Step 6: Store Your Will Safely
Your will needs to be findable after your death. Store the signed original in:
- A home fireproof safe — accessible to your executor
- Your attorney’s office — if you have one
- Your county clerk’s office — some states allow you to file your will for safekeeping
Do not store your will in a bank safe deposit box. In many states, the box is sealed upon your death and requires a court order to open — creating a Catch-22 where the will is needed to open the box but is trapped inside it.
Give copies (not the original) to your executor and any trusted family members. Tell them where the original is stored.
Step 7: Update Your Will as Life Changes
Your will should be reviewed and potentially updated after major life events:
- Marriage or divorce
- Birth or adoption of a child
- Death of a beneficiary or executor
- Significant change in assets (bought a house, received an inheritance)
- Moving to a different state (state laws vary)
- Change in relationships (falling out with a beneficiary)
Most online will platforms make updating easy — you can log back in, make changes, print, and re-sign. Some charge a small annual fee for updates, while FreeWill and some others include unlimited updates.
What to Include in Your Will
A comprehensive will should address all of the following:
Essential Elements
- Asset distribution: Who gets what — be specific enough to avoid ambiguity
- Executor designation: Who manages your estate and ensures your wishes are carried out
- Guardian designation: Who raises your minor children
- Residuary clause: What happens to anything not specifically mentioned (e.g., “everything else goes to my spouse”)
Recommended Additions
- Backup beneficiaries: What happens if your primary beneficiary dies before you?
- Digital assets: Social media accounts, email, cryptocurrency, digital photos, domain names
- Pet care: Who takes your pets and any funds set aside for their care
- Specific bequests: Family heirlooms, jewelry, art, or sentimental items to specific people
- Funeral wishes: Burial vs. cremation preferences (though these are often addressed in a separate letter of intent)
- Debt handling: Instructions for how debts should be paid from the estate
Online Will vs. Attorney-Drafted Will: How to Decide
| Factor | Online Will | Attorney-Drafted Will |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $0–$499 | $500–$3,000+ |
| Time to complete | 20–60 minutes | 2–4 weeks (consultations + drafting) |
| Customization | Template-based, good for standard situations | Fully custom to your exact circumstances |
| Best for | Simple-to-moderate estates, straightforward family situations | Complex estates, blended families, business owners, high net worth |
| Legal advice included | Usually no (some offer attorney add-on) | Yes — tailored advice on tax strategies, trusts, etc. |
| Peace of mind | Good — state-specific templates are legally sound | Highest — custom-drafted for your exact situation |
When you should hire an attorney instead:
- Your estate is worth more than $1 million
- You own businesses or complex investments
- You have a blended family (stepchildren, ex-spouses)
- You want to minimize estate taxes
- You need a trust (online trusts exist but may miss nuances)
- You have property in multiple states
- You’re disinheriting a family member (which requires careful legal language)
Will vs. Trust: Which Do You Need?
A will and a trust serve different purposes, and many people benefit from both:
| Feature | Will | Revocable Living Trust |
|---|---|---|
| Goes through probate? | Yes | No — avoids probate |
| Public record? | Yes (after probate) | No — remains private |
| Effective when? | Only after death | Immediately (also covers incapacity) |
| Names guardians for children? | Yes | No — you need a will for this |
| Covers assets in other states? | Requires separate probate per state | Yes — avoids multi-state probate |
| Cost to create | $0–$249 (online) | $499–$3,000+ |
For most people under 50 with estates under $1 million, a will is sufficient. As your estate grows or your situation becomes more complex, adding a trust provides additional benefits — particularly probate avoidance and privacy.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Creating Your Will
- Not signing it properly. An unsigned or improperly witnessed will is invalid. Follow your state’s exact requirements.
- Forgetting to update beneficiary designations. Assets like life insurance, 401(k)s, and IRAs pass by beneficiary designation — NOT by your will. Make sure both are aligned.
- Naming a minor as a direct beneficiary. Minors can’t inherit directly. Name a trust or custodian to manage assets for them.
- Not naming backup beneficiaries. If your primary beneficiary dies before you and there’s no backup, the asset goes through intestacy.
- Storing the will in an inaccessible location. If no one can find your will, it can’t be executed.
- DIYing when your situation is complex. Blended families, business ownership, and high-value estates need professional guidance.
- Assuming joint ownership replaces a will. Joint accounts transfer automatically, but not all assets are jointly owned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an online will legally valid?
Yes, if properly signed and witnessed according to your state’s requirements. Online will platforms generate state-specific documents that comply with local laws. The key is execution — printing, signing, and witnessing the document properly.
How much does it cost to create a will online?
Anywhere from $0 (FreeWill) to about $500 for a comprehensive estate plan with a trust. Most basic wills cost $39–$199. This compares to $500–$3,000+ for an attorney-drafted will.
Can I create a will on my phone?
Yes — most online will platforms are mobile-friendly. You can complete the questionnaire on your phone, but you’ll need to print the document and sign it with witnesses in person.
Do I need a will if I’m young and don’t have many assets?
Yes — especially if you have children, a partner, or any specific wishes. Without a will, your state’s default inheritance laws apply, which may not match your intentions. A will also lets you name a guardian for your children and an executor to manage your affairs.
How often should I update my will?
Review it every 3–5 years or after any major life event: marriage, divorce, birth of a child, death of a beneficiary, major asset changes, or moving to a different state.
What happens if I die without a will?
Your estate is distributed according to your state’s intestacy laws, which typically prioritize your spouse and biological children. Unmarried partners, friends, stepchildren, and charities receive nothing. A court appoints an executor (who may not be someone you’d choose), and the process is slower, more expensive, and public.
The Bottom Line
Creating a will online is faster, cheaper, and easier than most people think. If your estate is relatively straightforward, platforms like Trust & Will, FreeWill, and LegalZoom produce legally valid documents that protect your family and ensure your wishes are carried out.
Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good. A simple online will is infinitely better than no will at all. Set aside 30–60 minutes this week, gather your information, and get it done. Your future self — and your loved ones — will thank you.
For a broader look at protecting your family’s finances, read our complete guide to life insurance and financial planning for major life transitions.