Ready to create your will without the high costs or hassle? Our guide to the best online will makers for 2025 shows you how to easily create legally valid documents from your home, often in under 30 minutes.
| Company | Recommended For | Price | Included Services | Our Value Score | Next Steps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quicken WillMaker | Best Value for Complete Estate Planning | $109+ | Wills, trusts, POA, healthcare directives, final arrangements | 8.3 | Get Started → |
| Ethos | Best for Bundling with Life Insurance | $149+ | Bundles life insurance with simple will tools | 8.2 | Get Started → |
| Trust & Will | Best Budget Option | $39+ | Wills, trusts, healthcare directives, guardianship, attorney add-ons | 8.5 | Get Started → |
| LegalShield | Best for Ongoing Legal Guidance | $29.95 a month+ | Access to attorneys, membership perks | 7.4 | Get Started → |
| LegalZoom | Best Estate Planning with Attorney Access | $149+ | Wills, trusts, POA, healthcare directives, optional attorney review | 7.8 | Get Started → |
Best Online Will Makers of 2025
LegalZoom Wills
- Prepare a customized last will and testament, starting at $149
- Peace of Mind Review™ proofreads your documents to make sure everything is correct
- Enjoy free revisions of your last will for up to 30 days
- Receive a 30-day trial of the Personal Legal Plan when you buy a Comprehensive will package
- Personal Legal Plan connects you to a nationwide network of vetted attorneys for free 30-minute consultations
- LegalZoom Will Maker Review
LegalZoom has been around for decades and remains the most recognizable name in online legal services. It’s pricier than most competitors, but the ability to add attorney review or ongoing legal plans makes it appealing for anyone who wants professional backup.
Ethos Wills
- 30 Day Free Trial
- 100% online, no appointment necessary
- Documents vetted by expert attorneys
- Free lifetime document edits
- 4.8/5 “Excellent” Trustpilot rating
- Ethos Will Maker Review
Ethos stands out because it blends life insurance with basic estate planning tools. While it isn’t a traditional willmaker, its platform gives younger families a way to handle two major financial planning needs in one place. If you’re just starting to think about protecting your loved ones, Ethos makes the process straightforward and keeps the focus on long-term security.
Trust & Will
- Online service created by lawyers
- 30-day refund policy
- Experienced staff available for instant chat Sunday through Friday
- Plans for wills, trusts and guardianships
- Prices range from $39 to $499
- Free printing and shipping
- Customized service through a 10-minutes process
- Frequently asked questions available online
- State-specific and legally valid estate planning
- Attorney consultations available for an additional fee
- Trust&Will Review
Trust & Will is designed for millennials and families who want estate planning to feel approachable. It’s sleek, guided, and offers all the core documents — wills, trusts, healthcare directives, and guardianship designations. The price is higher than that of budget tools, but users love the polished experience.
Quicken Willmaker & Trust
- A trusted brand in do-it-yourself last will & testament software
- Plain English, easy-to-follow instructions for legal document preparation
- Great price for a highly comprehensive package
- Includes estate and financial planning legal forms and more!
- A wide variety of software packages centered around personal and commercial legal forms
- Quicken Willmaker & Trust Review
For $109, Quicken WillMaker gives you a full suite of documents — wills, trusts, POAs, and more. Nolo, a respected legal publisher, backs it. The interface isn’t flashy, but if you want maximum coverage for minimal cost, it’s tough to beat.
Understanding Estate Planning: Your Essential Guide
Estate planning is the process of arranging how your assets, property, and responsibilities will be managed and passed on after your death (or during your lifetime if you become unable to make decisions). At its core, it’s about making sure your wishes are honored, your loved ones are cared for, and the financial or legal burden on your family is reduced. An effective estate plan provides clarity, prevents disputes, and can even help minimize taxes and court involvement. It’s not just for the wealthy; anyone with assets, dependents, or specific preferences for medical care and inheritance should consider creating one.
The key documents in estate planning often include a last will (to outline who inherits what), trusts (to manage assets while avoiding probate), powers of attorney (to designate who can act on your behalf in financial or medical matters), and living wills or advance healthcare directives (to specify medical wishes if you’re unable to communicate). The process typically begins by taking inventory of your assets, selecting beneficiaries, and determining who will serve as executors or trustees. From there, you’ll draft the documents, either with an attorney or through an online service, and review them regularly as life circumstances change. Along the way, people often ask, ‘Do I need a will or a trust?’ What exactly is probate? Do I need to start now, or can I wait? (Hint: the best time to start is today.) Understanding these terms and questions upfront makes the entire process less overwhelming and ensures that your plan works as intended.
Why You Need a Will: Protecting Your Family and Future
Creating a will is about clarity. It spells out exactly how someone wants their assets and responsibilities handled after they’re gone. Without one, the state steps in, and that process, called probate, is slow, frustrating, and often stressful for grieving families.
A will ensures that:
- Belongings go to the intended recipient.
- You avoid unnecessary court battles between siblings or relatives.
- You can name guardians for minor children or pets to ensure they are properly taken care of.
- You can designate someone to handle your estate, ideally someone whom you know and trust to fulfill your wishes.
It’s not just about money. It’s about avoiding drama, delays, and pain when everyone’s already dealing with loss.
How to Create Your Will: A Guide to Your Choices
When it comes to making a will, there are a few ways to go about it:
- Hire an Estate Attorney
This is the traditional option and is best suited for individuals with complex estates, such as multiple properties, business ownership, or significant assets. It’s thorough but pricey, often starting at $500 and going into the thousands. - Use an Online Will Maker
These platforms walk you through the process with guided questions and templates. It’s quick, affordable (most under $150), and surprisingly user-friendly. Great for people with straightforward needs. - DIY with a Template or Kit
You can find free or cheap templates online, but they come with risks. If the form isn’t legally valid in your state or doesn’t cover key elements, it can be thrown out in court. This is the riskiest path unless you are familiar with what you’re doing.
Important Considerations for Online Wills
Here are some risks to consider when creating a will online:
- Not Ideal for Complex Situations: If your parents own property in multiple states or have unusual assets, online platforms might not be detailed enough.
- State-Specific Limitations: Some tools don’t automatically adjust for every state’s probate laws, so you need to double-check that your chosen service covers your jurisdiction.
- Improper Execution: Even the best will isn’t valid unless it’s signed and witnessed correctly. If your parents mess that up, it could all be worthless.
- No Legal Advice: Most online services offer guidance, not legal counsel. If your parents have questions like “How can I avoid estate taxes?”, they might still need a lawyer.
Common Questions About Online Wills
We answer the questions that matter most about the best online will makers.
Yes, online wills are legally valid when properly executed and meet your state’s requirements.
Online will makers offer a DIY, cost-effective solution for simple estates, while hiring an attorney is recommended for complex situations.
Most online platforms make it easy to edit or update your will if your life circumstances change, like getting married, having kids, or moving states. Some providers offer lifetime access to your documents or allow you to reprint or re-sign them whenever needed. Just remember, once you make changes, you’ll need to re-sign and re-witness the updated document to make it valid.
A will is a crucial part of any estate plan, but depending on your goals, you might also want a durable power of attorney, a healthcare directive, or even a living trust. Many online platforms offer these as add-ons.
