Rather than walking into an attorney’s office and paying a high hourly rate, there are many online will options to help you create a will from the comfort of your own home at a reasonable price. These will makers aim to aid with situations ranging from a basic household plan to an intricate estate. Finding the right will maker software for your family situation can streamline the process and allow you to have everything in order for your heirs.
A good online will program is easy to use and can be updated or changed as needed. It should help you clarify how you want your property, belongings and funds dealt with after you pass away. A will making service should also provide support to answer any questions you have.
Regardless of the size of your estate, having a will in place can help your loved ones easily determine how to distribute your assets. The following programs can help you create a will online and provide other estate planning solutions.
Here are the best online will makers:
— Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker & Trust – Visit Now
— FreeWill
Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker & Trust
If you want everything for a customized estate plan in one place, Quicken provides software to create a will, financial power of attorney, health care directive, living trust and other estate-related documents. A questionnaire guides you through the process of deciding which documents you need. A starter bundle for the 2022 version is $89, which includes a will, health care directives and final arrangements. More features come with the Plus version at $129 and the All-Access version for $199.
[Read: How to Write a Will Online.]
Fabric
To make a will without having to sign up for anything or create an account, you can use Fabric’s free online will tool. If you have a basic estate or simple family situation, this service could be a good fit. After answering a few questions, you can print the will and make it legally binding. The process takes approximately five minutes. While the service is free, the site also sells life insurance policies for a range of prices.
LegalZoom
If you want a professional’s input when making an online will, LegalZoom provides access to an independent attorney who is knowledgeable about laws in your state. Legal counsel is available at the start of the will making process. You can also begin making a will on your own with the site’s self-guided questionnaire. If you have questions, you can reach out to an attorney. Legal counsel is also available after you finish the will to help you make updates or address concerns for up to a year. Prices start at $89.
Do Your Own Will
If you’re looking to spend as little as possible, Do Your Own Will provides a free way to make a will. By answering questions, you create a simple will. You can then download the document as a Word or PDF file. There are also other estate planning documents available for free, including a pet guardian trust and durable power of attorney. While the services are free, the site states that if you have a complicated estate, it may be useful to seek legal counsel and use other estate planning tools.
[Read: Checklist for Handling the Death of a Spouse.]
U.S. Legal Wills
To set up specific instructions for loved ones, you can create a will through U.S. Legal Wills. The online will making tool asks questions about your estate to help you line up information your executor can use to properly distribute assets. You’ll pay $39.95 for a will, along with additional charges for services such as setting up a power of attorney or storing documents in a digital vault that can be passed on to your family and executor. Plans come with a 30-day money back guarantee.
FreeWill
You can use FreeWill to help you create a document in just 20 minutes. As you work through the steps, if you realize that your estate is more complex than you initially perceived, you can still benefit from the site. FreeWill provides free forms you can fill out to take to an attorney, which can save time and funds. The site states that you might want to pair its services with a lawyer if you have a larger estate, a child with special needs or complicated family dynamics. In addition to wills, the site offers related legal planning tools like advanced health care directives, beneficiary designations and durable financial power of attorney. FreeWill is able to offer its tools for free via partnerships with nonprofits.
Rocket Lawyer
If you’re not sure what to include in a will, Rocket Lawyer provides free templates of wills that can be customized to your situation. The site will guide you through the process, helping you decide what exactly to include in your will. It also provides information on other legal documents related to estate planning. You can pay $39.99 for a will or become a premium member for $39.99 per month to gain access to additional legal services.
Total Legal
You can complete an online interview through Total Legal to help understand what you need for your will. After creating a will online, you can print it out or choose to receive it by mail. The site then provides instructions on how to have your will signed in your state. A last will and testament costs $19.95 and the site offers other estate planning documents at a range of prices.
[Read: How to Pick a Beneficiary for Your 401(k) Plan.]
Trust & Will
You’ll be able to carry out the will process in just 10 minutes at Trust & Will. The site provides customized, state-specific wills and instructions to walk you through the process. Wills start at $159 for an individual or $259 for a couple. You can also set up trusts and guardians.
Gentreo
For a complete estate planning service that is customizable to your exact situation, Gentreo offers a way to create, store and share your estate plan. If you have a blended family, specific gifts or distinct wishes for a pet, the site walks you through the details of sorting out your preferences and making a will that suits your needs. Once the will is complete, you can upload it to your family vault and choose which beneficiaries can have access to it. The site also offers additional estate planning documents such as a health care proxy and power of attorney. Membership starts at $100 for the first year.
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The Best Online Will Making Programs originally appeared on usnews.com
Update 11/17/21: This story was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information.
