A will puts into writing what you want to happen to your stuff and money after you die. It’s also a document that helps your loved ones understand what you want, and makes the process easier for your family after your death. Traditionally, you have to hire a lawyer to draft a will, and the process can be time-consuming and expensive. But thanks to online will creation it’s now possible for anyone to get a professionally-drafted estate plan for a much more affordable price.
Most of the best online will makers will help you create a will, power of attorney and living will (also known as an advance health care directive) for a fraction of what a lawyer might charge. Some of these services even offer a bundle deal where you can make all three documents at once.
These services typically allow you to complete a questionnaire that will help them produce a legal document that complies with your state’s laws. You’ll need to provide some basic personal information, including your marital status and the names of any dependents you have. After the questionnaire has been completed, you can download a copy of your document for signing.
While it’s important to make sure that the online will maker you choose meets your state’s requirements, many of these services have been around for decades and are generally considered to be safe and reliable. Some of these companies even partner with reputable legal organizations and are accredited by the Better Business Bureau. If you are concerned about the legitimacy of an online will maker, a quick internet search should provide you with plenty of consumer reviews and other reliable resources to help you decide if it’s right for you.
If you’re looking for a simple online will, the most popular service is Do Your Own Will, which lets you fill out an online questionnaire with a few simple questions about your assets and how you want them to be divided up. You’ll also have the option to donate some of your assets to charity. The service is free and takes less than an hour to complete.
Another well-known and trusted service is Rocket Lawyer, which offers a range of online legal forms, including wills, powers of attorney, trusts, HIPAA authorizations and more. Rocket Lawyer’s interview-based process made it easy to create a basic will and a couple of other estate planning documents in about 15 minutes, and the site provides links to additional legal information on a variety of topics such as inheritance tax, probate law and more.
Although it’s not required to hire a lawyer for a will, some people may prefer to have an attorney review their final document to be certain that it’s in compliance with the law. Some online will services, such as Law Depot and LegalZoom, let you purchase a will review at an additional cost. Others will include this option as a part of their standard package.