Online wills let you write and sign a legal document from home, but the process and cost vary widely depending on which service you use
An online will service walks you through questions about your property, who you want to leave it to, and who should manage your estate. The service then generates a document tailored to your state's laws. You sign it (usually with a witness or notary, depending on your state), and the document is stored either on your computer, the company's server, or both. The whole process typically takes one to three hours and costs between $50 and $300, depending on how complex your situation is and which company you choose.
The main trade-off is simplicity versus customization. Online services work well if your situation is straightforward — you have a spouse or a few adult children, some bank accounts, a house, and clear ideas about who gets what. They work less well if you own a business, have minor children who need a guardian, have a blended family with potential disputes, or want to set up trusts. In those cases, talking to a lawyer — even for an hour — usually saves money and prevents problems later.
Key Takeaways
- Online will services generate documents based on your state's laws, but you are responsible for making sure the document is correct and signed properly.
- Your state determines whether you need witnesses, a notary, or both — some states require both, some require one, and a few require neither.
- Common online services include LegalZoom, Nolo, Rocket Lawyer, and state bar associations, each with different pricing and features.
- If you have minor children, own a business, or expect disputes over your estate, a lawyer consultation is usually worth the cost.
- After you create your will, you need to store it somewhere your family can find it and tell someone where it is.
What an Online Will Service Actually Does
An online will service is software that asks you questions and writes the answers into a legal document. You answer questions like "Who is your spouse?", "Do you have children?", "What property do you own?", and "Who do you want to leave each thing to?" The software then fills in a template that matches your state's laws and produces a document you can print, sign, and store.
The service does not file anything with the government, does not store your will in an official registry, and does not represent you in court. You are responsible for printing the document, signing it correctly (with witnesses or a notary if your state requires it), and keeping it somewhere safe. If you lose the document or sign it wrong, the service is not liable — you are.
Most services also offer add-ons like a living will (instructions for medical care if you cannot speak for yourself), a power of attorney (naming someone to handle money or property if you become unable to), or a personal property list (saying who gets your jewelry, car, or other items). Some charge extra for these; others include them.
State Laws That Affect How You Sign
Every state has rules about how a will must be signed to be valid. Most states require you to sign in front of two witnesses who are not beneficiaries (not people who inherit from you). Some states also require a notary — a person licensed by the state to verify your identity and watch you sign. A few states accept a will signed only by you, with no witnesses or notary, though this is rare and risky because it is easier to challenge in court later.
The online service will tell you your state's rules, but it is your job to follow them. If you sign wrong, the will may not be valid, and your property will be divided according to your state's intestacy laws (the default rules) instead of your wishes. This is the most common mistake people make with online wills.
Some online services offer notary services for an extra fee, either by connecting you to a remote notary (you sign on video) or by directing you to a local notary. Others leave it to you to find a notary. Banks, law offices, and UPS stores often offer notary services for $5 to $15.
Comparing Online Will Services
| Service | Starting Price | What's Included | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| LegalZoom | $99–$199 | Will, living will, power of attorney; optional notary ($50–$100 extra) | People who want a full estate plan and don't mind paying for notary service |
| Nolo | $69–$99 | Will, living will, power of attorney; no notary service | People comfortable finding their own notary and wanting lower cost |
| Rocket Lawyer | $99–$199 | Will, living will, power of attorney; optional notary ($50–$100 extra) | People who want optional lawyer review for an extra fee |
| State Bar Association | $0–$50 | Will form only, no guidance | People with very straightforward estates and comfort reading legal language |
Price is not the only difference. LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer offer optional lawyer review — a real lawyer reads your will and suggests changes for an extra fee (usually $100–$300). Nolo and state bar associations do not. If your situation is complicated or you are unsure about something, lawyer review can be worth the cost.
All of these services store your document, but storage policies differ. Some keep it on their servers indefinitely; others delete it after a set time if you do not log in. Check the terms before you choose, and consider keeping a copy on your own computer or with a trusted person.
When to Use a Lawyer Instead
An online will is usually enough if you are married or single, have no minor children, own property in only one state, and have no reason to expect disputes. It is usually not enough if any of these explore: you have minor children who need a guardian named in your will; you own a business or significant property in more than one state; you have a blended family (children from different relationships); you want to set up a trust; or you expect family members to challenge your will.
A lawyer consultation does not have to be expensive. Many lawyers offer a one-hour will consultation for $150–$300, and some offer flat fees for straightforward wills ($500–$1,000). That cost is often worth it if it prevents a family dispute that costs thousands to resolve in court later, or if it ensures your minor children go to the person you actually want to raise them.
You can also use a hybrid approach: create a draft will online, then have a lawyer review it and suggest changes. This is cheaper than having a lawyer write the whole thing from scratch.
How to Store Your Will and Tell Your Family
After you create and sign your will, you need to store it somewhere safe and tell someone where it is. A will that nobody can find is useless. Do not keep it in a safe deposit box at a bank unless someone else has access to the box — if only you have the key, your family may have to go to court to open it after you die, which costs time and money.
Better options include: keeping a copy at home in a fireproof safe or filing cabinet, giving a copy to the person you named as executor (the person who will manage your estate), storing a copy with your lawyer if you consulted one, or using an online storage service that the will company provides. Write down where the will is and give that information to your executor and a trusted family member.
You should also keep a list of your property and accounts — bank accounts, investment accounts, real estate, insurance policies, and anything else of value — along with account numbers and where the documents are. This list does not have to be in the will; it can be a separate document. Your executor will need it to settle your estate.
What Happens After You Sign
Once you have signed your will (with witnesses or a notary as required by your state), it is legally valid. You do not have to file it anywhere or register it with the government. It only becomes active after you die, when your executor takes it to the probate court in your county. The court verifies that it is valid, and then your executor uses it to distribute your property according to your wishes.
If you change your mind about something in your will, you can create a new will that replaces the old one, or you can add a document called a codicil that changes specific parts. Most online services let you revise your will and sign a new version. Keep only the final version; destroy the old ones so there is no confusion.
You can also revoke your will entirely by writing a statement that says you revoke it, signing and dating that statement, and keeping it with your will. This is useful if you get divorced, remarried, or have a major change in your life and want to start over.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an online will as legal as one a lawyer writes?
Yes, if you follow your state's signing rules. A will is legal if it meets your state's requirements — usually your signature, two witnesses, and sometimes a notary. It does not matter whether a lawyer wrote it or you did. The risk with online wills is signing wrong, not the document itself.
What if I die and my family cannot find my will?
Your property will be divided according to your state's intestacy laws, which usually means it goes to your spouse and children in a set order. This may not match your wishes. Tell your executor and at least one family member where your will is stored.
Can I change my will after I sign it online?
Yes. You can create a new will that replaces the old one, or add a codicil that changes specific parts. Most online services let you revise and sign a new version. Keep only the final version and destroy the old ones.
Do I need a notary if my state does not require one?
Not legally, but it is a good idea. A notary's signature makes it harder for someone to challenge your will in court later by claiming you did not actually sign it or were not in your right mind. The extra cost is usually $10–$20.
What if I have a very straightforward estate with almost no property?
You still need a will if you have minor children, because the will is where you name a guardian. If you have no children and very little property, some states let you use a simpler document called a holographic will (handwritten and signed by you, no witnesses needed). Check your state's rules, or use an online service anyway — the cost is low and it covers you either way.