Alexis Kestler
Hey there! Planning for the future is never the most enjoyable thing to think about. But creating a will is vital to ensure your wishes are fulfilled and family avoids disputes when you‘re gone.
I know – this whole estate planning thing sounds complicated. But going through an online will maker makes the process incredibly simple in just a few minutes from your couch.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll walk you through everything you need to know to choose the right online will maker and create a 100% valid will. I‘ve tested all the top services out there based on ease of use, customization, and legal credibility to find the very best options.
Let‘s get started!
Why You Need a Will – Now Rather Than Later
It‘s understandable putting off estate planning – after all, who wants to think about their own demise? But around 64% of Americans don‘t have a will, which can lead to a huge headache for loved ones.
Here are three key reasons why making a will now is so important:
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You Control Who Inherits Your Assets – With no will, assets go to your closest family members according to state law, which may not be what you want.
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Avoid Family Disputes – Without clear documented wishes, infighting between grieving relatives is all too common.
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Appoint Guardians for Kids or Pets – Specify who will care for any dependents to avoid custody issues.
Plus, dying intestate (with no will) means going through a long probate process that eats away at your estate. So I strongly recommend taking a few minutes this weekend to make your will. You‘ll have peace of mind that your loved ones will be taken care of how you wish.
Online Will Makers Are Legally Valid and Convenient
In the past, creating a will meant hauling yourself to an expensive lawyer‘s office and pouring over dense documents. Thankfully, technology has made the process fast, easy, and affordable through online will makers.
These web and mobile apps use guided questionnaires to help you make legal wills in about 15 minutes. Once finished, you can download, print, and sign your will to make it fully legally binding.
The best online will makers offer:
✅ Valid wills – Created according to state laws
✅ Secure storage – Encrypted and password protected
✅ Money savings – Far cheaper than hiring an attorney
✅ Convenience – Make a will anytime, anywhere
✅ Ease of use – Simple Q&A format anyone can follow
So how do you choose the right DIY will maker? I‘ve done the homework for you by comparing all the top options.
My Top 10 Picks for the Best Online Will Makers
After researching and testing the most popular online will creation services, these 10 platforms stand out above the rest. I ranked them based on reliability, features, credibility, and value for money.
#1 Trust & Will – Best Overall
With an incredibly quick and easy will creation process, Trust & Will is my top choice. In less than 15 minutes, you can make a customized, legally binding will guided by simple questions.
I love how Trust & Will explains things in plain English anyone can understand. Their clean interface and formatting tools make personalizing your will a breeze. Once finished, you can download unlimited copies or make changes anytime.
At $89 for a single will ($158 with estate planning bundle), Trust & Will offers a great value. Backed by 20,000+ 5-star reviews, you can trust they‘ll provide a seamless will-writing experience.
#2 Rocket Lawyer – Most Customization
If you want serious customization power for a more complex will, Rocket Lawyer is a fantastic choice. Their extensive Q&A options and drag-and-drop document editor give you complete control.
I love Rocket Lawyer‘s standout features:
⛔️ Free 7-day trial of their full service
📃 Document builder with ready-made templates
👨⚖️ On-demand consultations with attorneys
Rocket Lawyer‘s legal expertise provides peace of mind your will is air-tight. Pricing starts at $39.99 monthly, which is a bargain for unlimited legal documents.
#3 LawDepot – Best Value
LawDepot makes it incredibly easy to create valid wills at a super affordable price. Their step-by-step Q&A walks you through everything you need.
Notable perks of LawDepot:
🏆 $5,000 accuracy guarantee
💲 Flat rate of just $79.99
🤝 Live support over phone and chat
One of the cheapest options, LawDepot is ideal for basic wills. They also offer unlimited revisions if you ever need to modify your will down the road.
#4 Willing – Most User-Friendly
Willing sets itself apart with a friendly conversational interface named "Willing." The virtual assistant makes estate planning feel simple and even fun.
Willing‘s advantages:
😊 Casual, conversational Q&A process
🤖 AI-powered digital assistant
👍 Real lawyers review your final will
Starting at $89, Willing provides caring customer support that takes the stress out of the will-making process. Their clean, intuitive design makes creating your will enjoyable.
#5 Quicken WillMaker – For Complex Wills
The leading downloaded will software, Quicken WillMaker, offers advanced customization for complex situations. You get complete control to make highly tailored wills and estate plans.
Reasons to choose Quicken WillMaker:
🖥️ Software installed on your desktop
🛠️ Tools for creating any legal document
⚖️ Built-in legal guidance and explanations
At $169.99 (one-time fee), it‘s pricier than web apps but provides more flexibility. Quicken WillMaker is the best choice for specialized circumstances.
#6 DoYourOwnWill – Best Free Option
If you‘re looking for a no-frills free will, DoYourOwnWill fits the bill. Just answer simple multiple choice questions and download your will in Word or PDF format.
Benefits of DoYourOwnWill:
🆓 100% free with no payment required
⏱️ Creates a will in less than 5 minutes
📄 Download unlimited copies of your will
Obviously DoYourOwnWill lacks the complex features of paid services. But for a basic will at no cost, it‘s a great option in a pinch.
#7 FreeWill – Best for Charity Donations
The nonprofit FreeWill makes it easy to donate to causes you care about through your will at no personal cost.
Reasons to choose FreeWill:
💸 Free for users
🎁 Supports over 300 charities
🌎 Socially conscious mission
FreeWill earns money through charitable donations, so they offer a basic will maker fully free. It‘s perfect for leaving money to nonprofits in your will.
#8 LegalZoom – Attorney Review
LegalZoom is a reputable online legal services company with attorney review of wills.
LegalZoom perks:
👩⚖️ Attorney examines your finished will
🏢 Network of independent lawyers
🔐 Will stored securely in online vault
Starting at $89, LegalZoom provides legal authority through attorney oversight. This brings an added layer of protection.
#9 Gentreo – Attorney Drafting
Gentreo takes online wills further by having actual lawyers draft your documents. This brings ultimate peace of mind.
Why choose Gentreo?
👔 Will crafted by estate planning attorneys
🔎 Lawyers customize your will to your situation
🗳️ Unlimited revisions for one year
At $399 for complete estate planning, Gentreo offers affordable attorney involvement. For low-stress will creation, their legal expertise is worthwhile.
#10 Testament – Simplest Questionnaire
Testament stands out for its uber-simple will questionnaire using plain yes/no questions. This straightforward approach makes finishing your will a breeze.
Benefits of Testament:
📋 Easy yes/no questions
⏳ 15-minute average completion time
😌 Low-stress, hassle-free process
Their $79 basic will package keeps things simple if you don‘t need complex features. Testament‘s clean interface facilitates fast will creation.
Which Will Maker is Right for You?
With this overview of the top online will creation services, you‘re ready to choose the best fit for you.
Here are a few key considerations as you decide:
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Your budget – Prices range from free to $400+
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Complexity – Some handle intricate estate plans better than others
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Customization – More flexibility for unique situations
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Credibility – Attorney involvement provides added legitimacy
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Ease of use – Simpler processes for non-lawyers
Take some time to think about your specific needs and financial situation. But ultimately, any will maker is better than no will at all!
Creating Your Will – Step by Step
Ready to get started on your will? The process is painless with an online will maker. Here is an overview of what to expect:
1️⃣ Sign up – Create an account with your chosen provider
2️⃣ Questionnaire – Answer guided questions about your wishes
3️⃣ Personalize – Add custom provisions or instructions
4️⃣ Download – Get your finished will as a Word doc or PDF
5️⃣ Print and sign – Have the will legally notarized and witnessed
6️⃣ Share – Let loved ones know the will‘s location
And that‘s it! Within around 30 minutes, you can have a fully legal last will and testament completed.
Having an airtight will prepared gives wonderful peace of mind that your estate will be handled how you want. I hope this guide gives you the confidence to finally check that important task off your to-do list!
Please let me know if you have any other questions about picking the right online will maker or creating your will. I‘m always happy to help you get prepared and provide any guidance needed.
