Key Takeaways
- A DIY will from a blank template can cost little or nothing, but leaves you responsible for getting every requirement right.
- Online will services typically cost from under $100 to a few hundred dollars and guide you through state-specific forms.
- An attorney-drafted simple will commonly costs several hundred to over a thousand dollars, and a full estate plan with a trust can cost several thousand.
- Price depends on complexity: blended families, businesses, property in several states and special needs planning all add cost.
- The cheapest will is one that’s valid and current; a will that fails or is out of date can cost your family far more in probate.
Typical costs at a glance
| Option | Typical cost | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY template | Free to low cost | Very simple situations, short-term stopgap | Missing state requirements, unclear wording |
| Online will service | Under $100 to a few hundred dollars | Most people with straightforward wishes | Make sure it’s built for your state and includes signing instructions |
| Attorney, simple will | Several hundred to over $1,000 | People who want personal advice | Hourly billing can add up |
| Attorney, full estate plan | Roughly $1,000 to several thousand | Families wanting will, POAs and health documents together | Package contents vary widely |
| Attorney, trust-based plan | Often several thousand dollars | Larger estates, multiple states, avoiding probate | Trust must be funded to work |
Prices vary by city and by attorney, so treat these as general ranges rather than quotes.
What drives the price
- Complexity of your family: blended families, minor children, a child with special needs or estranged relatives.
- Your assets: a business, rental property, property in more than one state or significant investments.
- What’s included: a will alone versus a package with financial and health care powers of attorney, a living will and a HIPAA release.
- Trusts: a living trust costs more up front but can help your family avoid probate. See will vs. trust.
- Updates: some services include future changes; attorneys usually charge for each revision.
The hidden cost of not having a will
Dying without a will doesn’t save money. State law decides who inherits, a court appoints someone to manage the estate, and a judge may pick a guardian for your children without knowing your wishes. Disputes and extra court steps can cost far more than making a will. See what happens if you die without a will.
Getting the most for your money
- Make a list first: your assets, who you want to inherit, your executor and a guardian for any minor children.
- Get the complete set: a will, financial power of attorney, health care power of attorney, living will and HIPAA release work together.
- Follow the signing instructions exactly. See how to sign, store and update your documents.
- Keep it current so you don’t have to start over later. See how often to update your estate plan.
Not sure whether you need a lawyer? See do you need a lawyer to make a will.
Frequently asked questions
Online services typically charge under $100 to a few hundred dollars. An attorney may charge several hundred to over a thousand dollars for a simple will, depending on location.
It can be, if it meets your state’s requirements and you sign it correctly with the right witnesses. The risk is in missing details or signing steps.
For many people with straightforward wishes, a well-built online will that’s signed correctly is legally just as valid. People with complex families, businesses or large estates may benefit from personal legal advice.
Not necessarily. Naming a guardian is a standard part of most wills. Costs rise when you add trusts for children or plan for a child with special needs.
Most people also need a financial power of attorney, a health care power of attorney, a living will and a HIPAA release, so someone can act for you while you’re alive.
Keep reading
- Estate Planning Checklist: The Documents Everyone NeedsA plain-English estate planning checklist: the will, living will, powers of attorney and other documents everyone needs, plus what to organize and when to update.
- What Is a Living Will? How It Works and What to IncludeA living will records your wishes about life-sustaining treatment if you can't speak for yourself. Learn what it covers, when it applies and how it differs from a will.
- Living Will vs. Advance Directive: What’s the Difference?What is an advance directive? It's the umbrella term for your written health care instructions. Learn how living wills, health care proxies and advance directive forms fit together.
- Will vs. Trust: Which Do You Need?Compare a will and a revocable living trust on probate, privacy, cost and control. Learn when a will is enough and when a trust makes sense.
- What Happens If You Die Without a Will?If you die without a will, state intestacy law decides who inherits, who manages your estate and who raises your kids. Here's what typically happens.
- Funeral Planning Checklist: How to Plan AheadA step-by-step funeral planning checklist: burial or cremation, the service, costs, paperwork and how to make sure your family can find your wishes in time.
- How to Avoid Probate: 6 Common StrategiesProbate can be slow, public and costly. Learn six common ways to pass assets directly to your heirs, from beneficiary designations to a living trust.
- How to Choose an Executor for Your Will (and What They Do)Your executor carries out your will. Learn what an executor does, who makes a good choice, and the mistakes to avoid when naming one.
- Pet Trust: How to Provide for Your Pets After You’re GonePets can't inherit money, but a pet trust can fund their care. Learn how pet trusts work, how they compare with a will, and how to choose a caregiver.
- What Is a Living Trust? How It Works, Pros and ConsA living trust holds your assets during life and passes them to your heirs without probate. Learn how revocable living trusts work, what they cost, and who needs one.
- What Is Probate? How the Process Works, Step by StepProbate is the court process for settling an estate. Learn what happens in probate, how long it takes, what it costs, and which assets skip it entirely.
- How to Make a Will: Step-by-Step Guide and Legal RequirementsLearn how to make a valid will: what to include, who can witness it, whether it needs a notary, and the common mistakes that can make a will fail.
- Letter of Instruction: What to Include for Your FamilyA letter of instruction tells your family where everything is and what you want. Learn what to include, how it differs from a will, and where to keep it.
- Digital Estate Planning: What Happens to Your Online AccountsWhat happens to your email, photos, social media and online accounts when you die or become incapacitated? A practical guide to digital estate planning.
- DNR vs. Living Will vs. POLST: What’s the Difference?A living will is your own instructions; a DNR and a POLST are doctor's orders. Learn how each works, who signs it, and which ones emergency responders follow.
- Do You Need a Lawyer to Make a Will?No state requires a lawyer to make a valid will, and many people can do it themselves. Here's when a DIY or online will works and when an attorney is worth it.
- Last Will vs. Living Will: What’s the Difference?A last will controls your property after death; a living will states your medical wishes while you're alive. Learn how they differ and why most adults need both.
- Executor vs. Trustee: What’s the Difference?An executor settles your estate through probate under your will; a trustee manages assets held in a trust, sometimes for years. Compare their roles, powers and how to choose.
Don’t leave your family guessing
Put your health care wishes in writing with a living will, HIPAA release and medical authorization. The No Brainer Box adds a last will, a revocable trust and health care and financial powers of attorney.
- Answer a few simple questions online
- Download your completed, ready-to-sign forms
- Sign them and keep copies in your account
This guide is general educational information written by the No Brainer Forms Team. It is not legal advice, and No Brainer Forms is not a law firm. Laws and signing requirements vary by state; for advice about your situation, talk to a licensed attorney in your state.