Best Last Will and Testament Online Providers Based on In-Depth Reviews
- 200+Hours of research
- 20+Sources used
- 9Companies vetted
- 3Features reviewed
- 9Top
Picks
- People who are married, have children, or own assets should have a will in place.
- Online will-makers can be cost-efficient alternatives to having an attorney create your will.
- Wills must be state specific, since each state has different laws regarding estate planning.
- Hiring an attorney can guarantee your will is done correctly.
How We Found the Best Last Will and Testament Software
Our Top Picks: Last Will and Testament Online Providers Reviews
When we first started looking into this software, we quickly realized that most offered essentially the same thing—basic, customizable will templates that took less than 30 minutes to fill out.
Once completed, the app usually lets users see the finished product, though downloading the document or having it sent in physical form will incur a fee. While some apps charge individually for each document, others work on a subscription basis. The latter tend to also offer a selection of additional legal services aside from will creation, such as business incorporation, real estate contracts and more. Some even offer access to in-house lawyers for further assistance, though customer service over the phone or via live chat are far more common. We also found that most apps have a fairly large array of educational resources, including articles, guides, and legal glossaries.
Trust and Will review
Best for Couples
Screenshot, trustandwill.com, Jan. 17, 2020
For couples interested in completing their wills together, Trust & Will enables users to create a will-based estate plan for $69 with the option of adding a spouse to their plan for an additional $60. Additional services include guardianship and trust document creation, with a discounted price for both spouses. The Will package provides a customized, state-specific will document as well as a HIPAA authorization and a Living Will as supporting documents.
Within the plan, users receive up to one year of unlimited updates, a 30-day money-back guarantee, and complimentary shipping. For an additional $10, customers can get unlimited updates.
Trust & Will has a helpful chatbot that can guide users with the process, and the software also features little facts in between sections, such as the average cost of a lawyer and educational examples. On completion, customers can choose to have their wills reviewed by Trust & Will staff.
LegalZoom review
Best for Legal Resources
Screenshot of LegalZoom homepage, legalzoom.com, Jan.17, 2020
For an $89 flat fee, LegalZoom allows users to create a customized, state-specific last will with a self-proving affidavit and 30 days to revise their documents. The $99 Comprehensive offer also includes a 14-day free trial of attorney advice that renews for $14.99/month. Finally, the $179 Bundle option gives users everything within the former two, in addition to financial power of attorney and Living Will documents, a one-year trial of attorney advice that renews at $119.88/year, and one year of free revisions on documents.
LegalZoom has its own Estate Planning App for iOS and Android devices, which allows users to access and manage online their accounts and schedule consultations with their attorneys. On top of that, the company offers customer support by legal specialists seven days a week. For an additional charge, users can choose the Legal Advantage Plus-Personal Legal Plan, which enables them to schedule and receive 30-minute consultations with attorneys, and 10% off future LegalZoom purchases.
Doyourownwill.com review
Best for Free Access
Screenshot, doyourownwill.com, Jan.17, 2020
DoYourOwnWill.com is a free platform in which users can create a customized will and download it as a Word document or PDF. The service also provides dozens of other legal documents for free, including a living will, durable power of attorney, pet guardian trust, business forms, and more. Users can create an account to save documents, but this isn't required for completion of the will. Once completed, the will can be downloaded instantly, free of charge.
The will creation process provides detailed suggestions that an average person may not think of, such as requesting an alternate executor or specifying the age at which children will receive their inheritance. The guide also includes small boxes that, once clicked, provide more detailed explanations.
Drawback
DoYourOwnWill.com only lists an email on its website, with no other method of contact listed. There’s a phone number listed on the company’s Facebook page, but that platform has not been updated since early 2017.
TotalLegal review
Best for Payment Flexibility
Screenshot totallega.com, January 2020
Total Legal creates wills and other legal documents on a subscription basis for $9.95 a month. Alternatively, you can sign up for the annual billing plan and lower your monthly payment to $7.49. If customers want to avoid membership at all, last will documents can be purchased individually for $19.95 each. Each membership has a 7-day free trial, includes document printing and vault storage, and provides a 30-day guaranteed refund.
Once the will is completed, customers must open an account, make their payment, and choose whether they prefer a next-day shipment of the documents, or digital versions via email.
In addition to will creation, Total Legal offers business assistance, including LLC formation and incorporation, as well as free, attorney-reviewed documents and discounted court services. It also has a section that explains state-specific laws, which can be useful for customers who plan to relocate.
Drawback
Customers taking advantage of the free trial must remember to cancel their membership to avoid unwanted charges, as there is an automatic charge immediately after the trial ends. We also found several online reviews where customers expressed not receiving their documents in the mail after purchase, so it may be beneficial to request both digital and hard copies upon purchase.
LawDepot review
Best for Variety of Legal Forms
Screenshot lawdepot.com, Jan. 17, 2020
In addition to wills, LawDepot offers users a large array of customizable templates for estate planning, financial agreements, real estate contracts, business agreements, and personal and family matters.
LawDepot provides easy, walk-through questions and allows users to save their answers and return later. Once finished, users can review and edit the template before purchase.
Customers interested in the LawDepot membership can choose either the annual plan that charges $7.99 per month, or the free trial plan that renews at $33 per month once the trial ends. If you’re not interested in a subscription, legal documents are accessible for $7.50-$68 per document.
LawDepot provides several helpful resources for customers, including a financial tips blog, law library with educational articles, legal dictionary, and a robust FAQ section. Users can reach customer service via phone, live chat, email, and social media.
Rocket Lawyer review
Best for Legal Advice
Screenshot from rocketlawyer.com, Jan. 17, 2020
For $39.99 a month, Rocket Lawyer users can create a will and other legal documents, as well as digitally sign, share, download, and print them at any time. We especially liked that the membership includes one free, 30-minute legal consultation per matter: on-call attorneys are available via phone, email, or chat. Users also have the option of hiring an attorney at a discounted price.
In addition to end-of-life legal advice, Rocket Lawyer also helps members start and incorporate their businesses, as well as create and revise an unlimited amount of business, real estate, personal, and family-based legal documents. Users have a 7-day free trial and can cancel their membership at any time. If for whatever reason, you’re not interested in a membership, there’s a $39.99 charge per legal document.
Once finished, Rocket Lawyer allows the user to see a completed draft of the forms before requesting an email to set up an account.
Drawbacks
Rocket Lawyer’s billing is automatic, so users need to remember to cancel their membership after their free trial period to avoid unwanted charges. Many online customer reviews expressed that cancellation of the service wasn’t an easy process online, so it’s recommended you call customer service directly.
Tomorrow review
Best for Mobile Devices
Screenshot, tomorrow.me, Jan. 17, 2020
Available for iOS and Android devices, Tomorrow allows you to create a customized will directly on your smartphone or tablet free of charge. Once completed, users can email the will as a PDF to download and print. Wills are tailored to state-specific laws, and users can share documents with their families through the app.
Additional in-app services are available with an upgrade to the Tomorrow Plus version for $30 a year. Services include creating a joint account with children, unlimited video memories, a living trust, and a pour-over will. Tomorrow Plus keeps track of all accounts, belongings, job benefits, and family additions.
Aside from Tomorrow’s detailed glossary page of common legal terminology and in-depth FAQs, it also has an educational blog on topics within estate planning, including beneficiary designations, power of attorneys, and succession plans.
However, it’s worth noting that users can only access their wills on mobile devices, and some customer reviews mentioned experiencing glitches while using the app as well as finding ads from insurance venders.
Willing review
Best for Estate Planning Bundle
Screenshot willing.com, Jan. 17, 2020
Willing provides a complete estate planning package, including last wills, living wills, naming a power of attorney, creating a revocable living trust, and Transfer on Death Deeds. The service lets users create the documents for free, but printing costs $69.
The app’s interface is simple and easy to navigate, featuring in-depth, educational articles about the probate process and estate planning through its Learning Center page and blog. Willing also provides a questionnaire to help consumers determine if its product aligns with their individual needs.
Once completed, the app displays the will in large print so the user can review, edit, or make changes before purchasing. Willing’s extra perks include overnight delivery of physical documents for an extra charge. Customers can pay via PayPal or any major credit card and are given up to six months of free revisions. You can also save and edit your documents at any time.
LegalNature review
Best for Customer Experience
Screenshot from Legal Nature homepage, leganature.com, Jan. 17, 2020
Legal Nature offers multiple legal documents and products for individuals, businesses, and landlords. The website has an organized, user-friendly design that makes products easy to search for. It also provides a Help Guide with informative and educational articles, definitions of legal terminology, billing FAQs, and educational YouTube videos.
Users interested in creating a will or other legal documents can choose between two plans: the Standard and the Professional, both of which can be billed monthly ($38.95 and $58.95/month, respectively), or annually ($84 and $499/year, accordingly). Users who choose one of the monthly plans can take advantage of a 7-day free trial. Single documents are also available, with prices ranging from $34.95 to $78.95. Once documents are completed and purchased, they can be downloaded and stored.
Drawback
There is no option to preview the will or legal document before purchase. A few customer reviews expressed having issues with how documents were printed, particularly as regards formatting. Users should also keep in mind that the 7-day free trial is only available with the Standard $38.95/month subscription, which starts charging you immediately after the trial ends.
Further Insight into Our Methodology
When it comes to legal documents and court matters, research alone isn’t enough. For this reason, we interviewed four attorneys who specialize in estate planning and have years of experience drafting wills. Their experience helped us ascertain the effect that state laws have on wills and other legal documents, as well as understand the legal terminology involved. After the interviews, we were able to identify and review our top nine companies using the following factors:
Pricing
In the past two decades, there has been a boom in the online legal services industry. Many websites focus exclusively on providing consumers with a variety of estate planning tools to manage their assets in the event of incapacitation or death. Other websites offer a wide range of documents and services, which may include giving consumers access to a network of real attorneys whom they may consult regarding all kinds of legal questions. Arguably, the most popular of all these services is the ability to create a last will and testament online without the help of a costly attorney. From simple, free templates to customizable online wills to innovative mobile apps, any consumer can find the perfect last will and testament solution for their budget and needs.
Services
Pricing is often the leading factor when people decide not to create last will and testaments or other estate planning documents. The cost of creating estate planning documents with a live attorney can range in the hundreds or thousands of dollars. Online last will creators are significantly less expensive and do-it-yourself solutions can be free, depending on the additional services the company offers. In this section, we have gathered the cost of estate planning for each company, as well as the cost of a membership, if the company offers one. Often, revising and editing the created documents involves an additional cost; we have gathered data on this cost as well. Finally, we've marked whether each company offers free templates and free membership trials.
Customer Experience
The company's reputation should be taken into consideration when selecting a company to help you create estate planning documents. After all, you're giving them not only your own personal information but your family and friends' information as well. To evaluate companies' reputation, we took a look at their rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering honest relationships between businesses and customers by promoting transparency and ethics in business practices. We also evaluated the number of positive and negative reviews each company received, keeping in mind that large companies tend to have more negative reviews than smaller companies of the same caliber. We also looked at each company's rating on Trustpilot.com, an online review community that compiles ratings and reviews from real customers. Though mostly covering web-based businesses, Trustpilot ratings and reviews are useful when gauging customer sentiment about a company.
Helpful information about Last Will & Testament Software
Death is definitely not the best conversation starter, but it’s an important one.
Who will care for our children if something happens to us? Grandma’s health complications are getting worse. What happens to the house if she passes away?
People ask themselves questions like these on a daily basis but rarely act on them. According to a 2019 Will and Living Trust Survey by Caring.com, over 50% of U.S. adults do not have a will or other estate planning documents.
If you’re married, have children, own a home, or have valuable assets, it may be time to discuss the elephant in the room: you need a will.
Why Do I Need a Will?
Many people believe that when they pass, their home and assets will automatically go to their next of kin, i.e. their nearest family member. While that’s possible, it’s not guaranteed. When someone dies without a will, the state of residence of the deceased automatically sets off intestacy laws that determine what happens to the estate and assets. If there are children involved, and both parents are deceased, the state also decides who becomes the guardians of said minors...and of any pets.
As the legal document used by the court to follow the wishes of the deceased individual, a will overrides hierarchy. When speaking with Peter Davies, Esq., a Virginia-based estate planning attorney, he gave us an easy way to understand the purpose and value of a will:
A will can be a vehicle for passing your life’s earnings, your sentimental items, and in some instances, your children, to the intended recipients. It’s an incredibly important document in which you’re able to control where your estate goes.Probate- What Is It?
With or without a will, the law still requires court oversight on the distribution of the assets, estate, and guardianship of children of the deceased person. This process performed by the court is called the “probate process.”
During this process, the court determines the value of all said assets, makes sure all debts and taxes are paid, and decides what’s to be distributed afterward to the proper beneficiaries. During this process, an individual is assigned as the executor or “administrator” that represents the estate. If the deceased person hasn’t designated someone to fill that role in their will, the court will appoint someone.
The longer the probate process, the more expensive—and it can take months, sometimes years, to complete, depending on the circumstances. A well-written will, however, can significantly help speed up the process.
Benefits of a Will
It’s only through a will that someone can make sure his or her wishes regarding material possessions and children will be respected. Instead of relying on family or friends, between whom disagreements can arise, a will written unambiguously becomes the mandate.
If you have underage children and want to appoint their guardians in your absence, it’s best to have a will in place. If you want someone you trust to administer your beneficiary’s share of the estate, you can also state that in a will.
Will vs. Trust- What’s the Difference?
A trust can be viewed as a will substitute, where you can still pass assets to your intended beneficiaries, but you do more of the administration during your lifetime. That way, when you pass away, there’s less work to do. A trust avoids the probate process, so assets are generally distributed much faster.
“If you have a Trust, you almost always still have a will that goes along with it,” said Stacy Takekawa, Esq., an estate planning attorney we spoke to. “Unlike the will, which is only effective after you pass away, the trust can be effective as soon as possible. It works if someone becomes incapacitated and it keeps going after someone has passed away,” she continued.
Both wills and trusts are estate planning vehicles that decide where your assets will go, but a trust goes into effect as soon as it’s signed. For example, if someone forgets to address something in their trust, a will acts as the safety net.
Drafting a Will With a Lawyer vs. an App
Whether you choose to go the traditional route and consult a lawyer or prefer to DIY it, as long as wills are done efficiently and abide by the corresponding state law, there’s no right or wrong approach. Since everyone’s situation is unique, we examined the three factors that people should take into consideration when deciding which option works best for them:
COST
Analyze your budget. How much are you willing to invest to create your will? While José Rodríguez, Esq., explained that the price of hiring an attorney varies according to complexity, “expect to pay no less than $500.” Online will-makers, of course, cost much less, ranging from completely free to about $80. With that in mind, consider your total current financial picture from your income to your assets to your dependents, and use that to determine whether your will is likely to be complicated and worth spending a bit extra on.
PROCESS & TIME
We discussed the average timespan for drafting and finalizing a will with E. Gordon Peters, Esq. “I can usually get it done in about two weeks,” Peters stated, “It requires a lot of back and forth, emails and questions, questionnaires, sometimes including religious matters.”
Depending on the number of assets, your family dynamics, and the intricacy of your demands, the will creation process with a lawyer can take longer than expected. Your individual needs may require more details and specifications.
Since online wills are generally customizable templates, the process is much quicker; some can even be completed within 10 minutes. On the other hand, if your situation is complicated enough to merit a lot of discussion, you might be better off considering legal assistance.
NOTARIZATION
Lastly, keep in mind that a will is not valid unless it is notarized. Notarization requires the signatures of two witnesses at least 18 years of age. Looking for witnesses can be a difficult, time-consuming process on your own. Hiring an attorney, however, can simplify the process, since they can arrange the witnesses for you.
Expert Tips
There can be a few misconceptions about wills, especially among people who have never created one. We asked some attorneys to share some common misconceptions they’d found among their clients.
Not All Valid Wills are Good Wills
“People think just because a will is valid, such as a holographic will, it’s good. Having a valid will and having a good will are two different things. In fact, sometimes having no will is better than having a bad will. A poorly drafted will often invites problems, including expensive and time-consuming litigation, and having to petition a court for aid and guidance because of unclear wording.” - Peter Davies, Esq.
Holographic wills are handwritten documents created and signed by the testator, which is just a fancy legal way of saying a will you write and sign yourself. Some states don’t recognize these at all, while others have very specific requirements for them to be considered legal. At the very least, most require proof that the testator (the person writing the will) created the document his or herself, evidence that he or she had the mental capacity to do so, and that it includes the testator’s wish to distribute his or her assets.
Making Time to Discuss a Will
“It’s an unpleasant discussion, which is why many people put them off. Usually, clients come in from family pressure. The bigger the estate, the more concern there will be. You need to do it when you’re comfortable and compelled to do it. Try to find that fine line, especially during a major life change.” - E.Gordon Peters, Esq.
To paraphrase Steve Jobs: no one wants to die, let alone talk about it. But it is the one certainty we all share (aside from taxes), and not doing so or putting it off until it’s too late can make an already difficult situation inordinately more so. This is especially true when there are minors involved, since a will is where you determine who will be their legal guardians—let alone go into discussions about whether to opt for equal inheritance or different amounts.
When a Will Goes into Effect
“Last will and testament can only be used if the person has passed away. For example, if grandma has a last will and testament, but becomes incapacitated, and someone needs to get into her bank account, it doesn’t matter what her will says. The will doesn’t work to do anything until grandma has passed away. The document you’d want, in that case, is the power of attorney.” - Stacey Takekawa, Esq.
End-of-life planning is rife with misconceptions. Aside from understanding that a will doesn’t enable any decision-making power while the person is alive, it’s important to also know that even a power of attorney (POA) document isn’t a cure-all. Many financial institutions don’t accept POAs that are more than six months old, some expect the document to be completed on their own forms, and still others require specific language or that the POA be renewed from time to time if it hasn’t been used. And those are just a few examples. Essentially, our point is that legal documents are complicated, and it’s a landscape best navigated with professional help.
Be Informed About State-Specific Laws
“Most people that I counseled thought that they could distribute their estate however they wanted, without realizing that most states have constraints on how much can be distributed, and to whom. Many people also thought disinheriting was as easy as leaving someone out of their will, not knowing that this process is very rigorous, and many factors must be met.” - José Rodríguez, Esq.
Though the statutes governing estate law are fairly similar across state lines, the main point of variation tends to be whether they do or don’t allow holographic wills. Oral wills are only valid in Massachusetts if they’re spoken by U.S. soldiers in a battle (or another form of actual service) or mariners at sea. And even if you do make a will that fully follows one state’s guidelines, it may not be valid once you move—as is the case with community property, for instance.
Properly Securing a Will
“For a client prone to losing things, sometimes we offer to hold the documents for them if that’s what they want to do. Others will get a safe deposit box at a bank. A lot of people just keep them in their homes. The downside of that is if something were to happen to the home, such as a fire, and something happens to the client and their will, then the estate must be administered in a different way, which could be an expensive time and process. Remember, a digital copy is no substitute for the original because the signed hardcopy is what is probated in the clerk’s office.” - Peter Davies, Esq.
Even if you took every precaution with your will, if it can’t be located when you pass away, it might as well not exist at all. Best practices include not just deciding where you store your will, but also that your executor knows where it is. If you do decide to keep it in your home, make sure to do so in a large, heavy waterproof/fireproof safe, preferably one that’s securely tied to the structure. While many prefer to use a safety deposit box, this can bring other problems, since banks can legally secure the box after you pass away and require a court order for the executor to gain access to it.
FAQs about Last Will & Testament Software
What happens if you die without a will?
It’s crazy to think that currently, only 44% of Americans have a will, and worse, only 14% of millennials (18–29 years of age) do. Since 2005, these numbers have been declining across all age groups, income and education levels, and race categories. The reason for the decline is not known, but the trend is not good.
If you die without a will or living trust, the intestacy laws of your state will determine how your property is distributed, including all of your assets such as real estate, bank accounts, and securities. The state also has the power to assign custody of your minor children and any pets. This process is called probate and takes approximately six to nine months to settle your estate.
This can be a financial and emotional burden on relatives or friends who take care of your children and pets until the state’s probate process is completed. We highly recommend you get a will, even a handwritten one, that is signed by you and at least two witnesses.
How often should you update your will?
There are life events that may require you to update your will, including but not limited to: tax law changes that might impact your estate, selling or buying a business or real estate, making the leap to retirement, moving to a new state, getting married or going through a divorce , and having or losing a child.
Is a handwritten will legal?
There’s a story about a Canadian farmer who in 1948 became trapped under his tractor for 10 hours. He was pretty sure he wasn’t going to make it, so he scratched his last wishes into the fender of the tractor with a pocketknife. He wrote, “In case I die in this mess, I leave all to the wife.” He died later in the hospital. But his fender will did stand up in court! Handwritten wills or holographic wills are legal in most states but not all. If you choose to go with a handwritten will, first verify this is a valid with your state. We also recommend that you have two witnesses sign your will when you do to provide additional validity of the document during the probate process.
How much does it cost to prepare a will?
Online legal form services range from free to $100. There are companies that offer free simple will forms and that’s it. Other online companies offer additional services including document preparation and review, legal advice, and document storage. If you do go with an online service, you can always hire an attorney to review your documents to make sure your will is valid and meets your state’s requirements.
Attorney fees vary based on location with rates being much higher in urban areas. If you choose to have an attorney review your documents, you can assume she will spend at least one hour doing so. Alternatively, you can buy standard will and testament forms at office supply stores, such as OfficeMax or Staples.
At what age should I start thinking about a will?
According to USA.gov, you must be18 years or older to write a legally binding will. This may seem young, but I can tell you I wasn’t thinking about a will until I was in my late 30s. Age, though, really is less of a factor than other considerations such as your accumulated wealth, real estate, children, known family health issues like Alzheimer’s or dementia. If you are worried about losing your mental capacities, especially at an earlier age, then you may want to get your will in place sooner than later to ease your mind about your family’s future.
What happens to my pet if I die?
Watching the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and Maria, and even back to Katrina, we saw the number of pets that were separated from their families either temporarily or permanently. That was heartbreaking. It still is. As Americans, we love our pets and consider them as family members. That’s why more than 85 million families in the U.S. currently have a pet. We concern ourselves with our pet’s daily and long-term care, so why not consider their care after we die?
Today, you can establish a pet protection agreement or a pet trust that you can include in your estate, or a stand-alone trust, where you can designate your pet’s guardian, leave money for your pet’s care, and even establish a trustee to manage the funds. If you do not want to do this, then you may want to at least designate a caregiver for your pet(s) and discuss your wishes with them including your financial and long-term care plans for the pet.
Should my family have access to my online will?
What’s the difference between a will and a trust?
The most noted benefit of a trust is avoiding probate; the document is private and is not a public record like a will. Probate typically takes six to nine months to complete and costs approximately 5% of the value of your estate. A trust does cost more than a will, so take a look at the total value and complexity of your estate to see if those factors outweigh the additional cost. We recommend that you do your own research or speak to an attorney about which estate planning option works best for you.