Online will makers create a legally valid last will and testament in under an hour for as little as $0–$199. For most Americans with uncomplicated estates, an online will is a legitimate and sufficient option — not having a will is far worse than having an online one.
Do You Need a Will?
If you die without a will (intestate), your state’s intestacy laws determine who gets your assets — and the result may not match your wishes. Common intestate outcomes:
- Unmarried long-term partner inherits nothing (not a legal heir in most states)
- Assets split between spouse and parents per a formula you didn’t choose
- A court appoints a guardian for minor children rather than who you’d choose
- Probate is often longer and more expensive without a will
A will lets you:
- Name who gets your property
- Name a guardian for minor children
- Name an executor to manage your estate
- Minimize family disputes
- Reduce probate complexity
Even a simple online will is dramatically better than no will.
Top Online Will Makers (2026)
Trust & Will
- Cost: $199 individual will package; $299 living trust package
- What’s included: Will, advance healthcare directive (living will), financial power of attorney
- Trust option: Yes — revocable living trust available
- State coverage: All 50 states
- Attorney review: Not included by default
Best for: Most people who want a complete estate plan in one place. The package includes the three core documents everyone needs: will, healthcare directive, and power of attorney.
Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker
- Cost: $99.99/year (desktop software); WillMaker Plus (~$149) includes living trust
- What’s included: Will, healthcare directive, financial power of attorney, more
- Trust option: Yes (WillMaker Plus)
- State coverage: All 50 states (with Louisiana-specific edition)
- Attorney review: No
Best for: People who want detailed customization and to understand exactly what each clause means. Nolo provides extensive legal explanations with each section.
LegalZoom
- Cost: $99–$249 depending on plan; attorney review available as add-on
- What’s included: Will, living will (healthcare directive); power of attorney varies by plan
- Trust option: Yes (higher-tier plans)
- State coverage: All 50 states
- Attorney review: Available for an additional fee
Best for: Those who want the option of attorney review without hiring a full estate planning attorney.
FreeWill
- Cost: Free
- What’s included: Basic will
- Trust option: No
- State coverage: All 50 states
- Attorney review: No
Best for: Creating a simple will on a budget. FreeWill was designed to help nonprofits facilitate charitable giving in wills, but the basic will is free to anyone.
Fabric (formerly Kin)
- Cost: Free basic will; Fabric Plus ~$99/year for more features
- What’s included: Will, life insurance products available through platform
- Trust option: No
- State coverage: All 50 states
Best for: Parents of young children who want a simple will focused on guardianship plus access to term life insurance.
Online Will Maker Comparison
| Service | Basic Will | Advance Directive | POA | Trust | Attorney Review | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trust & Will | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Add-on | $199 |
| Nolo WillMaker | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Plus version | No | $99.99 |
| LegalZoom | ✓ | ✓ | Varies | Higher tier | Add-on | $99–$249 |
| FreeWill | ✓ | No | No | No | No | Free |
| Fabric | ✓ | No | No | No | No | Free |
Pricing reflects 2026 estimates — verify current pricing on each platform before purchase.
How to Make an Online Will Valid
Creating the document online is step one. The will must be properly executed to be legally valid:
Requirements in most states:
- You must be at least 18 years old (some states: 16 with exceptions)
- You must be of “sound mind” (testamentary capacity)
- The will must be signed by you in the presence of witnesses
- Two adult witnesses must sign the will (they should not be beneficiaries)
- A notary public is not required in most states but adds extra legal weight
Holographic wills (handwritten, unwitnessed) are valid in about 25 states but are riskier and more easily challenged.
Louisiana has unique civil law requirements — verify state-specific rules if you’re in Louisiana.
The 3 Documents Everyone Needs
A will is just one piece of a basic estate plan. Most estate planning attorneys recommend three documents:
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Last Will and Testament | Distributes property, names guardian for children, names executor |
| Advance Healthcare Directive (Living Will) | States your medical wishes if incapacitated; names healthcare proxy |
| Durable Financial Power of Attorney | Names someone to manage your finances if you’re incapacitated |
Online platforms like Trust & Will and Nolo WillMaker include all three. Creating them together ensures there are no conflicts between documents.
When You Need an Attorney Instead
Use an estate planning attorney if:
- Your estate exceeds $13.99 million (2026 federal estate tax exemption) and tax planning is needed
- You have a blended family with children from prior relationships
- You own a business and need buy-sell agreements or succession planning
- A beneficiary has special needs and requires a special needs trust
- You own property in multiple states
- You anticipate a contest of the will
- You need an irrevocable trust, QTIP trust, or other complex trust structure
For most Americans — particularly those with estates under $1 million, a spouse and/or children, and no business ownership — an online will is adequate.
Worked Example
Situation: Marcus (age 42) is married with two children, ages 8 and 11. He owns a home (joint tenancy with his wife), has a 401(k) with beneficiary designations, and $85,000 in a joint brokerage account. He has no business.
What an online will covers:
- Names his wife as primary executor; his brother as alternate
- Names his wife as guardian and alternate if something happens to both parents
- Bequeaths personal property (car, jewelry, household items)
- Creates a testamentary trust for children if both parents die before children reach 25
What the will doesn’t cover:
- The home (joint tenancy passes automatically to the surviving spouse — no probate needed)
- The 401(k) (controlled by beneficiary designation, not the will)
- The brokerage account (if joint, passes automatically)
Marcus uses Trust & Will for $199, also creating a healthcare directive and power of attorney. Total cost: $199 vs. ~$800–$1,500 for an attorney.
Related Articles
- Estate Planning Checklist 2026
- What Is a Revocable Living Trust?
- What Is a Power of Attorney?
- How to Open a Roth IRA
- How to Apply for Social Security
The content on Wealthvieu is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Full disclaimer · Editorial policy