Everyone should have a will, and online wills make this easy. It’s an alternative to having to trek down to a lawyer’s office and hand over a lot of money. An online will maker software takes a matter of minutes, perhaps an hour at most, and turns your quick answers from the jargon-free questions into a legal document. Think of it as a simple survey, in which the answers and pasted into a template that has all the legal stuff. Different companies use different online will forms, so it’s worth checking out online will software reviews.
This content is researched and written independently of the views or opinions of Online Will Makers' editorial team. Online Will Makers may earn a commission from purchases of products featured on this website. Full disclosure available here.
Best Online Will Makers in the USA:
Online will makers are an online alternative to the traditional and expensive route – using a legal professional to draw up a will. Within minutes, one could create his own completely legitimate completely legitimate online will.
The process is quick, easy, and simple, and extrmeely cost-effective. Once the online will is ready, it is available via email, print-it-yourself or through ordering a hard copy. Below is the list of the best online will makers in the USA, as per our reviews and ratings.
Best Online Will Makers - September 21st, 2023
How Does an Online Will Service Provider Work?
A will is a legal document that says where you want your possessions to go when you eventually pass away. This could be anything from donating your house to charity or leaving your three businesses to your favorite son. Whilst a will can technically be written on literally anything, even a candy wrapper, as long as it has your signature and non-family witnesses, online will kits are a little more credible than that. We compare the best online will makers by consumer reports to understand which offer the most comprehensive service and best value for money.
The best online wills are legitimate, cheap, and fast to create. They’re not perfect (we’ll get onto their downfalls later on), but don’t fret, they’re not a scam or a gimmick like those companies that sell you stars in the galaxy. Our online will maker reviews make sure you understand the background of each of the companies supplying the service.
It’s important to note that many do not claim to be law firms, though some do. And there’s also more to it than a simple will. You may be looking for supplemented legal documents or features such as unlimited future revisions. And whilst these automated ways of creating wills seem impersonal, many actually include a real-life attorney to double-check your document at the end. As you would expect, these services come at varying price levels.
How to Compare The Best Online Will-Making Service?
Is the company legitimate?
Your first step is to create a list of the most reputable companies that are legally recognized. This means scanning online will maker reviews and learning about the software to eliminate the known scammers, and using companies that have been operating for more than a couple of years. A shortcut for this step is to use the above companies as your starting point.Using the best will maker
Some online will providers are easier than others, but they vary because they use different online will preparation software. If your priority is time, then there are many companies in which you can create a will online in under 15 minutes. If you want clarity, perhaps you have a slightly more nuanced will, then use a company that is known for being clear and mistake-free. Additionally, some will be mobile-friendly and some won’t be.Free help
Some of the best online will makers by consumer reports have customer service that helps you with filling out the document, and some do not. This can help solve step 2 above if you’re looking for clarity. Some companies also offer free revisions by an attorney upon completing your will.Other legal documents
If you have other legal duties, such as creating business contracts, lease agreements, power of attorney forms, etc., then find a company that can be your all-in-one online lawyer. These may cost a little more, but the convenience would be worth paying for.Price and promotions
If you’re down to a few companies and you still can’t pick, then compare will prices and browse around for promotions. There are lots of free trials and discounts around. Furthermore, it’s unnecessary to pay more than $250 for an online will. Many are under $100, so don’t be ripped off by uncompetitive companies.Cover assets outside of the USA
Only some companies will be able to deal with assets located overseas in your will, as this increases the legal complexity. The features of your estate are important to factor in when deciding on the best online will maker to use.Revisions
Some companies will allow you to revise your will in the future (often for free up to a certain date). This means you can adapt your will as your estate evolves. This may be super important to people who expect circumstances to change (i.e. they’re going through a divorce). You can see the exact data on our detailed online will maker comparison.SSL encryption
A very basic step to ensuring you’re picking a legitimate company that will keep your data secure is to make sure all purchases and transactions are done through SSL encryption. It may also be worth checking if the company performs frequent backups of data on their servers and have sound security protocols.
Is an Online Will Making Kit a Perfect Substitute for a Lawyer?
Online wills are not a perfect substitute for the traditional method. There are a number of reasons why opting for a traditional lawyer is a better idea, but it heavily depends on your circumstance.
A complex will or corporation
Even the best online wills lack nuance. They’re mostly closed-end questions being answered in text fields online, which are then automatically drawn up as a legal document. This is sufficient for a simple will, but when things get more complicated, there’s less opportunity to clarify. Plus, complex estates or complex corporations are difficult to describe without the help of a professional anyway, and miscommunication around such an important issue could pose a huge inheritance threat.
The same goes for a complex online will and trust in the sense of leaving money in trust for your kids to receive in the future. Anything particularly nuanced may be better dealt with by an experienced lawyer.
Complexity usually goes hand-in-hand with having a lot of wealth. And, in the case of having a lot of wealth, it’s worth spending the money on a traditional lawyer (and may be relatively less expensive for you, given said wealth). Compare onilne will makers with us to learn which ones offer more functions than others.
Complex relationships
If you’re in a complex relationship on paper, for example, you’re married, separated but not divorced, then your will may want the subtlety and thrust that a lawyer can achieve in-person. Plus, it’s these complex relationships that are the most likely to result in a will being challenged, which further emphasizes the need for a tactful and water-tight approach.
Tax avoidance strategies
If you’re looking for legal ways to tie up your assets after you pass away, for example tying them up in trusts and potentially some legal tax loopholes, then you may want more specialized professional advice in creating your will online.
A history of mental health
If you have a history of mental health, you’re at risk of someone claiming you didn’t have the full testamentary capacity upon writing a will online. This applies to psychosis-related mental health issues as much as it does dementia. In this case, even if you are of sound mind, it’s better to use a lawyer which will give your will more credibility in the case of being challenged.
Overseas estate
Similar to the above, an estate or assets that are held overseas increases the complexity of your wishes and involves more legal literature. This is something that can be dealt with by some online will writing services, but if it’s a large number of assets, it may be a good idea to turn to a physical lawyer for assistance. At the very least, paying a premium for an extremely high-quality DIY online will would be necessary.
Are Online Wills Legit and Will Actually be in Effect?
As mentioned earlier, a legitimate will can be written on a candy wrapper, so long as it has your signature and witnessed by two people who are not friends or family. However, just because something is legitimate, it doesn’t mean it’s impenetrable and comes with no risk of being challenged or rejected.
Of course, the most legitimate way of making a will online would be with the lawyer of Mel Gibson, or one equally expensive. Online wills lay somewhere in between the candy wrapper and the expensive lawyer — they’re valid, well-structured, and have little chance of being rejected if the will is relatively straight forward. However, a will created by a lawyer would have even less chance of being challenged.
An online will is certainly effective. The only concerns you have, are those outlined above around either a highly complex will, relationships, or if you have a history of mental health. Additionally, if you drew up a will using an unknown online will service that has little credibility, your will might also be less legitimate. It’s all a scale, but fortunately, legitimate online wills from reputable companies are good enough for most ordinary people.
Which Online Will Maker to Choose?
Online will makers are a new concept. In fact, even the industry’s biggest players such as Rocket Lawyer were only founded in 2008. Not only that making a will is a tough task, it’s also a difficult task to decide whether to go with online wills or a lawyer to compose the will.. and whichever route you have decided to go for, you’d have to decide on a specific lawyer or online will maker.
Our website was designed to provide an easy way for those trying to find the internet’s best will makers by creating detailed reviews and helpful comparison charts.
To fully fulfil the experience, we have also created several articles comparing online will makers “Vis a Vis” (head to head). Our comparison isn’t only focused on the “bottom line” but rather tries to point out the subtle differences these online will creation services have between them. You can find our best head to head comparisons below:
This LegalZoom vs Nolo Will Maker by Quicken comparison will help you understand how these two major companies stack up against each other in terms of the services that they offer. Read about the strengths and weaknesses of each company before you make a will online and decide which one works best for you.
LegalZoom vs Nolo Will Maker by Quicken
Take a look at our Rocket Lawyer vs LegalZoom comparison to see how these two companies are similar and different, what each company has to offer, and what their advantages and disadvantages are. Our detailed overview will help you understand which online will making service best matches your needs.
Rocket Lawyer vs LegalZoomResearch and Articles
Read the articles below and learn more about the online will-making process.
Tips and Guidelines to Writing Your Will
Read more…This article explains the most essential terms for will-writing. It helps you to learn more about what exactly a will is, what it does for you and your loved ones, and why it is important to have one. Read our top tips for creating a will online that covers all your bases.
What is a Will Executor and What Is Their Role?
Read more…Learn about why you need an executor and what their duties and responsibilities are. Find out if you can become an executor and whether you are entitled to any compensation for this difficult task.
What is a Testator?
Read more…Why should a testator create a last will? When should a testator create a will? Does a testator need a lawyer to make a will legally binding? Find the answers to these and other questions about a testator’s role in the will-making process.
What is a Holographic Will?
Read more…In this article, you will learn about a holographic will. Find out if you can create one, if they are legal in the USA, if they are hard to create, and why people should create them in general.
What is a Codicil?
Read more…Find out why people write a codicil and whether you should write one. In case you decide that you need it, learn how you can make it and whether it should a notarized.
Does a Will Need To Be Notarized?
Read more…For peace of mind, learn whether you should notarize your online will and trust and why you should get a self-proving affidavit. Read this article to find out how to get a self-proving affidavit and whether or not your state recognizes them as binding.
Do I Need a Will at All?
Read more…This article explains why it is never too soon to create a will, gives you six good reasons to create a will, and reminds you what should be included in it.
How Much do Online Wills Cost?
Read more…In this article, you can find out all about online will costs for single documents, subscriptions, and packages. Plus, you can use our will price comparison tool to check the prices of online wills and other estate planning documents from different providers.
Sharia-compliant Islamic Wills
Read more…Learn about Islamic will-makers, differences between Islamic and secular wills, and Islamic inheritance law. Choose the best service to create your Sharia-compliant will.
What is a Living Trust
Read more…Learn about the benefits and drawbacks of living trust documents, types of living trusts, and the process of setting up a living trust online. Plus, you can find out whether you need to make a trust if you already have a will.
Durable Financial Power of Attorney
Read more…In this article, you can find out what power of attorney is, what types of POAs you can create, and who needs a durable financial power of attorney. You can also read about how to make a power of attorney online.
How to create a will?
Read more…This article contains a step-by-step guide for how to make a will without a lawyer. You can find out whether making a will is a good idea for you and learn about common issues people encounter when creating a will.
What is a self-proving affidavit?
Read more…In this article, you can learn all about self-proving affidavits and how these documents can help prove your will during probate. Discover where you can get a self-proving affidavit form and how you can make a self-proving affidavit valid.
Making provisions for your pet in a will
Read more…Find out how to include pets in your estate plan, assign pet guardians, and leave money for your pets’ care. Plus, discover what solutions online will making services offer pet owners and determine whether you need to create a pet trust.
What happens if you die without a will?
Read more…This article explains what will happen to your property, assets, mortgage, dependents, and pets if you pass away without creating a will. Read this article to find out what mistakes and problems you can avoid creating for your family by ensuring that you always have an up-to-date will on file.
FAQ
What is a will?
A will, also known as a last will and testament, is a document that goes into effect after you have died. In your online will, you can designate funeral arrangements, specify where and to whom your assets will go, and name new legal guardians for your kids and pets.
What is a living will?
A living will is a document that goes into effect while you are still alive but unable to make sound decisions due to illness or severe injury. A living will names a person who will manage your affairs and your medical care while you are incapacitated, as well as determine when life support will be withdrawn.
What is a trust?
A trust is a document that, unlike a will, goes into effect while you’re still alive and capable of making decisions regarding your estate. It allows you a greater level of control over how your assets are dispersed.
What is an expat will?
An expat will is a living will for your assets abroad. In case you have assets in multiple countries, you will need a separate expat will for each jurisdiction.
How long does it take to create a will?
The average time it takes to complete a will or a trust document online is approximately 10-15 minutes, though it can be more depending on the complexity of your will and the extent of your assets.
Are Do-It-Yourself wills worth it?
An online DIY will is generally cheap and easy to make. However, online will forms tend to be one-size-fits-all and don’t take into account special situations. For those cases, it is recommended to seek the help of a legal specialist who can carefully craft a will or a trust to ensure its validity and authenticity.
What information will I need to provide for the will?
You will need to bring all the paperwork to identify your assets and beneficiaries. Your assets could include, though are not limited to:
- Deeds to property or real estate
- Vehicle titles
- Checking or savings account statements
- Documentation proving ownership of a business
- Stocks and bonds
- Documents certifying the value of jewelry and art
Should I use a VPN to create an online will if I am outside the US?
Regardless of your location, inside or outside the U.S., using a VPN enhances your online footprint’s security and privacy across any service. Creating a will online? Prioritize platforms that offer encryption and value your confidentiality. VPNs aren’t just for streaming; they’re crucial shields for safeguarding intimate details in your will, particularly when you’re on public networks. And if you stumble upon digital roadblocks due to geographic limitations, a VPN effortlessly bridges the gap, making it seem like you’re browsing stateside.
For peace of mind, always lean into a premier VPN service that allows connecting to a server in your home country. It is best to use comparison sites to find the best provider for the desired location, such as bestvpncanada.com if you are from Canada.
Can I write my own will and have it notarized?
It depends on where in the USA you live. In some states, you can create your own legally valid will, sometimes called a holographic will. Before you begin, find out your state’s requirements for creating a will or a trust.
How does an online will maker work?
Think of it as a simple online survey, in which the answers are pasted into a template that has all the legal language. An online will software will transform your answers into an official legal document. They usually take anywhere from fifteen minutes to an hour to fill out.
What is the difference between a paid online will maker and a free online will maker?
Online will-creating services are already cheap. But the money you do pay goes towards the online will’s legal team, estate planning abilities, software development, and customer support. You should be wary if a company is offering you all of this for free. There might be a hidden fee or some other scam element involved. Free DIY wills will not be as reliable or comprehensive, and they won’t have much in the way of customer support. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for.
Does an online DIY Will Kit substitute a lawyer?
Online wills are not a perfect substitute for the traditional method of visiting a lawyer. There are a number of reasons why opting for a traditional lawyer might be a better idea, but it heavily depends on your personal circumstances.
Is online will legit and legally sound?
An online will can be an easy, effective, and affordable way to manage your affairs in the event of your death. However, an online will might be called into judgment if you have a highly complex will, unusual personal relationships, or a history of mental health issues. Additionally, if you drew up a will using an unknown online will company that has little credibility, your will might be considered illegitimate. The legitimacy of a will is decided on a case-by-case basis, but fortunately, authentic online wills from reputable companies are usually legally sound.
Do online will makers have a refund policy?
Yes, the majority of online will providers have a money-back guarantee.
Unique Features Offered by Online Will Maker Websites
While most online will makers offer the same basic services regarding estate planning document creation, many companies also offer some unique features that you won’t find with other providers. You can find comprehensive reviews of over a dozen online will maker sites and their unique features, pricing policies, services, etc. on our website.
Digital Vault for Document Storage
Law Depot, US Legal Wills, and Gentreo all offer their version of a digital vault. Customers can use this vault to store all their estate planning documents in one secure location. In addition to storing your last will and testament, POA, and other documents, you can also upload images, audio files, and letters for your family to the vault.
Pet Estate Planning
Several online will makers offer estate planning solutions tailored specifically to pet owners. Documents such as pet trust or pet power of attorney, or even entire pet plans can ensure that your pet will be well taken care of no matter what happens to you.
Electronic Signature
When you create a will using eForms, you have the option to sign your will electronically by writing your signature using a mouse or a trackpad, mimicking your real signature. Keep in mind that the service may not always give you the option to e-sign your documents, since not all states accept electronically signed wills.
Attorney Help and Consultations
Many online will maker websites offer licensed attorneys’ assistance for people who use their services to make wills, POAs, trusts, and other documents. For instance, a Rocket Lawyer subscription includes a free 30-minutes consultation with a lawyer; LegalZoom allows you to purchase a year-long subscription to legal support on their website; and NOLO connects their customers with certified attorneys who can provide legal help.
Live Support Chat
While all will-making companies offer customer support via email and phone, Gentreo and Trust & Will also offer a live chat feature on their websites. This makes it easy to get instant answers to your questions without having to call customer support.
Concluding Words for Online Will Makers
Over half of Americans do not have a will. This is simply not good enough, but the best online wills are helping fix this. They’re not flawless, but the more people that create a will soon, the better. Even if it means paying for an online will as a temporary will until the future when their estate becomes complex — that is well worth ~$50 to $200.
Online wills created with the best online will makers are very much legitimate legal documents. They’re not created with the same level of nuance as with a lawyer, but they can be revised and approved by an attorney to put your mind at rest. With a half an hour form, free online help and potentially future revisions, the top 10 online will makers pose a great threat to the exorbitant industry of traditional wills — especially for ordinary people.
To learn more about best online will makers in Canada go here.