A will is a document that ensures your possessions are distributed according to your wishes after your death. For those with complex family situations or sizable estates, hiring an attorney might be advisable to tailor the document precisely to their needs. However, in many cases, online will and trust makers, especially those built by an attorney, offer a more cost-effective and convenient alternative, fully compliant with state legal requirements. These online tools are not only reasonably priced but are also designed to be user-friendly, adaptable to each state's laws, and customizable to individual life circumstances. They provide excellent support and guidance, allowing users to start estate planning on their own timeline.

Let's delve into some of the top online estate planning tools that have been recognized for their reliability, ease of use, and comprehensive service offerings.

Overall Findings

• The online will makers on this list for your estate planning purposes can range from $0-300.
• Our top choice for online will makers is MI Court help, because of their overall great quality documents, the fact that they are backed by a lawyer and judge, and their affordable and transparent price.

Creating a will can seem daunting and expensive, which may explain why a Gallup poll found that less than half of American adults have one. However, affordable options for drafting a lasting will do exist. For those who find hiring an attorney financially prohibitive, online will-making services are a practical alternative.

These services simplify the will-making process by asking a series of questions and using your answers to create a state-specific will that you can download and print. These forms are typically designed or reviewed by experienced estate attorneys, ensuring they meet legal standards. Provided you accurately input your information and adhere to your state’s legal requirements for executing a will, an online will can be legally valid.

Nonetheless, there are scenarios where consulting an attorney might be advisable. These include complex situations like debt, complex families or disinheritance, and undecided desires (e.g., you don't know how you want to divide your estate).

Online Will Maker Services Ranked

MI Court Help (Best for An Attorney-Backed Tool)

MI Court Help is the only tool on this list that is backed by an attorney and former judge, Shana Lahti, who 36 years on the bench as a judge, and practicing in estate planning law and probate. She knows exactly what forms you need to complete to avoid court and save onerous legal fees. The process is also easy to use, affordable, and produces bulletproof documents that take into considerations all possible scenarios.

Nolo's Quicken WillMaker and Trust Package (Best for Multiple Family Members)

Pricing:

‍Quicken WillMaker and Trust offers various packages with different features. The prices for these packages range as follows:

Starter Package ($99)

• Last Will: To specify how your assets will be distributed.
• Living Will: Outlining your wishes for medical care if you're unable to communicate.
• Healthcare Power of Attorney: Designating someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf.
• Final Arrangements: Instructions for your funeral and burial.

Plus Package ($139)

Includes everything in the Starter package, plus:

• Financial Power of Attorney: Appointing someone to handle your financial affairs.
• Letters to Survivors: Instructions and information for your loved ones.
• Living Trust: Allows for easier transfer of assets while avoiding probate.
• Transfer on Death Deed: Designating beneficiaries for real estate.

All Access Package ($209)

Includes everything in the Plus package, with additional features:

• One-year subscription to Everplans: A document and information storage service.
• Secure Document Organization: Enhanced options for organizing and storing your documents.
• Ability to Share with Trusted Advisors: Share your estate plan with family and financial advisors.

These packages include a range of documents, such as wills, healthcare directives, and durable power of attorney. The Plus and All-Access packages provide additional features like living trusts and secure document organization​​.

Customer and Online Reviews:

‍The overall customer experience with Quicken WillMaker and Trust is rated highly. The service has received a 4.5 out of 5 rating, indicating excellent customer satisfaction. Customers appreciate the range of services offered, the ease of use, and the comprehensive nature of the estate planning documents provided. However, some users have found the software a bit challenging to navigate. There are also comments about the inability of the documents to be valid in certain regions like Louisiana, U.S. Territories, or Canada​​​​.

Pros

1. Comprehensive Services: It offers a wide range of essential estate planning documents, allowing users to create customized plans based on their state laws. The package includes wills, living trusts, healthcare directives, financial power of attorney, and other vital documents​​.
2. Ease of Use: The software is designed in "plain English," making it accessible and easy to follow for users who may not be familiar with legal jargon​​.
3. One-Year Free Updates: Users can update their documents at no additional cost for one year after purchase, which is beneficial for adjusting to life changes​​.
4. Additional Resources: The package includes free e-books and access to a library of legal articles, providing users with extra information and resources on family law and estate planning​​.
5. Privacy and Security: Earlier versions were solely downloadable software, allowing users to store information on their own hard drive. The latest version also offers a secure online platform, providing more flexibility and security options​​.

Cons

1. Geographic Limitations: The estate planning documents are not valid in Louisiana, U.S. Territories, or Canada. This limits the tool's applicability for people in these regions​​.
2. Software Navigation: Some users have reported difficulties in navigating the software, though this may vary based on individual tech-savviness​​.
3. No Legal Advice: While the tool offers extensive legal document preparation, it does not provide legal advice. Users with complex legal needs or unique situations may still need to consult an attorney​​.
4. Limited Customer Service: Customer service is primarily for technical support. Users seeking legal guidance may need to seek external legal counsel​​.
5. Additional Costs for Comprehensive Plans: While the basic plan is reasonably priced, accessing more comprehensive features requires purchasing higher-tier plans, which may not be budget-friendly for all users

Nolo's Quicken WillMaker and Trust is a well-received service offering a range of estate planning documents with different package options to suit various needs. While generally user-friendly and comprehensive, some users may find the software a bit complex to navigate. The service is highly rated for its customer experience and is a cost-effective alternative to hiring an attorney for estate planning.

LegalZoom (Best for Tack-On Legal Work)

Pricing

LegalZoom's online will maker offers various pricing plans:

• Basic Will Plan: Priced at $89, this plan includes a last will and testament.
• Comprehensive Will Plan: At $99, this plan offers additional features, including access to live attorney support for the first two weeks (subsequent access is available for $25 per month).
• Estate Plan Bundle: For $249, this bundle includes a last will, a living will, and a financial power of attorney, with attorney support for the first year (subsequent access is $199 annually).
• Revocable Living Trust: Sold separately starting at $279.

Customer and Online Reviews

LegalZoom generally receives favorable reviews for its ease of use and accessibility. It has a high rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. Users appreciate the convenience of the service, but some have noted additional costs for certain services and documents, which could impact the overall affordability. The time taken to complete the questionnaire is around 30 minutes, and users have the option to purchase the product first and complete the questionnaire later​​​​​​.

Pros

• Attorney Support: Access to attorneys is available, although those are not the attorneys who created the documents you will get.
• Ease of Use: The platform is user-friendly with a straightforward questionnaire.
• 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee: Offers a generous refund policy for dissatisfied customers.

Cons

• Additional Costs: There may be extra fees for expedited processing or additional legal documents, making it potentially less cost-effective in the long run.
• No Human Interaction in Basic Process: The service lacks personal guidance and support from legal professionals, which might be a drawback for some users.
• Separate Purchase for Living Trusts: Living trusts are not included in the will plans and require a separate purchase.
• Limited Documents in Basic Plan: The lowest-priced plan includes only a will, with no other documents or attorney support.

LegalZoom provides a convenient and affordable option for creating wills online, but it's important for users to be aware of potential additional costs and the nature of the services included in each plan.

Rocket Lawyer (Most Affordable)

Pricing

Rocket Lawyer offers a flexible pricing structure for its online will maker:

• One-Time Fees: There's a free will template available. However, for more comprehensive services, additional fees may apply.
• Recurring Fees: For ongoing legal support and the ability to make changes to your documents, Rocket Lawyer charges $39.99 per month. Alternatively, if billed annually, the cost is $239.99.
• Included Services: The basic package includes a last will and testament, living will, and financial and medical powers of attorney. A revocable living trust is also included.

Customer and Online Reviews

Rocket Lawyer generally receives positive reviews for its customer service, including the option to contact a lawyer for legal assistance via phone, email, or online chat. The platform has been noted for its ease of use and the reliable documents it produces. On Trustpilot, Rocket Lawyer's customer support is rated at 4.7 out of 5 stars.

Pros

• Free Seven-Day Trial: Allows access to all documents on the platform.
• Consultation Availability: Includes a 30-minute phone consultation with a lawyer during the free trial.
• Built-In Chat Feature: Provides an opportunity to ask a lawyer questions directly.
• Ease of Use: The platform is user-friendly and reliable.
• Phone App Availability: Rocket Lawyer offers a convenient smartphone app for on-the-go document creation and management.

Cons

• Cost of Membership: The standard yearly membership, when charged monthly, can be quite costly compared to some other online will makers.
• Requirement for Membership: After the trial period expires, a membership is required to make any changes to your documents.
• Document Update Limitations: Free document updates are available only during the subscription period.

Rocket Lawyer stands out for its comprehensive services and accessible customer support. However, the cost of membership and the limitations on free document updates after the trial period are potential drawbacks.

Trust & Will (Best for Customer Support)

Pricing

Trust & Will offers transparent and affordable pricing for its estate planning services:

• Individual Will: Priced at $159.
• Couples Will: Costs $259.
• Individual Trust: Available for $599.
• Couples Trust: Priced at $699.
• Annual Membership: The first year of membership, including cloud storage and updates, is free. Afterward, it costs $19 per year for wills and $39 for trusts.

Customer and Online Reviews

Trust & Will has received high praise for its services, earning a score of 4.9 on GOBankingRates. Customers appreciate its easy and affordable will and trust creation process. The service has been commended for being straightforward and user-friendly, especially suitable for people who want to save money on estate planning. However, some users have noted extra charges for speaking to an attorney and the requirement of an annual membership for updates​​​​.

Pros

• Ease of Use: The platform is straightforward, making it simple to create wills and trusts.
• Customer Support: Available via chat and phone, with a high rating for service.
• Comprehensive Packages: Offers multiple packages to fit various budgets, including installment payment plans.
• Attorney Assistance: Option to upgrade and have an attorney answer questions.

Cons

• Extra Charges for Attorney Consultation: Additional costs are involved if you wish to speak with an attorney.
• Limited Refund Policy: Refunds are only available within 30 days of purchase.
• Annual Membership for Updates: Requires a yearly membership fee to make updates to your estate plan.

Overall, Trust & Will is an accessible and user-friendly service, offering comprehensive estate planning options at a relatively affordable price.