Will & Estate Planning Online

Make it official. Don\'t leave a mess for your family.

What every adult needs

Will — what happens to your stuff. Names guardians for minor children.
Healthcare power of attorney — who decides medical care if you can\'t.
Living will / advance directive — end-of-life wishes (CPR, feeding tube, etc.).
Financial power of attorney — who can pay bills if you can\'t.
Beneficiaries on retirement, life insurance, bank accounts. Update yearly.
HIPAA release — so doctors can share info with the family member you choose.

Trust & Will

$200-500 once

Most popular online will service. Will, trust, power of attorney. State-customized. Easy interface.

Solid mid-priced option for simple estates.

Nolo / Quicken WillMaker

$80-100 once

Software-based. Comprehensive — includes living trust, healthcare directive, financial POA.

Best value if you do it yourself.

LegalZoom

$100-450

Big name. Wills, trusts, attorney consults available. Pricier than Nolo.

Worth it if you want lawyer review.

Rocket Lawyer

Free trial; $40/mo

Subscription model. Many legal documents (rental, business, etc.) plus wills.

Best if you need ongoing legal templates.

FreeWill (free.com)

FREE basic will

Genuinely free will service. Funded by partner charities. Solid for simple estates.

Best free option.

Local estate attorney

$1,500-5,000

For complex estates: trusts, real estate in multiple states, blended families. Worth it for the peace of mind.

Some local elder-law attorneys offer free initial consults.

When to use a REAL attorney

Estate over $1 million (or close to your state\'s estate tax limit).
Real estate in multiple states.
Complex family (blended, second marriages, special-needs children).
Business ownership.
Concerns about contesting by family members.
Need a trust (revocable living trust, irrevocable trust).

After you make it

SIGN it in front of witnesses (rules vary by state).
NOTARIZE if your state requires it.
Tell your family WHERE the original is.
Give a copy to your attorney, executor, healthcare proxy.
Photo a copy in your password-protected files.
Update beneficiaries on retirement / life insurance directly with each company.
Review every 3-5 years, after life changes (marriage, death, big asset change).

"I don\'t need one" — yes you do

Without a will, the state decides who gets your stuff. The court process (probate) costs your family thousands and takes 6-18 months. Even simple estates benefit from a will. $200 saves your family thousands and months of stress.