How much does a will cost?

It can cost anywhere from $10 to over $1,000 to make a will, depending on how you choose to create it. DIY forms and online services are typically the most affordable options, while attorney-drafted wills tend to cost significantly more. The right choice depends on the complexity of your estate, how much support you want, and how confident you are handling the process yourself.

How much do different will options cost?

DIY will kits are usually the cheapest option but offer the least guidance, typically only providing you with a basic template that you complete yourself. Online will services cost more but offer a more guided experience, using your answers to generate a customized document and sometimes providing support, storage, or state-specific documents.

Hiring an attorney is generally the most expensive option, but includes bespoke legal guidance. A lawyer can tailor your will to your circumstances, explain relevant state laws, and help address complex issues such as blended families, business interests, trusts, or significant assets.

Here’s a closer look at the three most common options for making a will, their pros and cons, and their typical price points:

Cost of a DIY will

Cost: $10 to $100

DIY will kits are typically pre-printed forms or downloadable templates that you complete yourself. They are among the lowest-cost ways to make a will, but they offer the least amount of professional guidance and protection. These kits are best suited for young, healthy people with simple estates and straightforward wishes who are confident they can meet their state’s legal requirements.

While the upfront cost is low, DIY kits may not account for every state-specific requirement or individual circumstance, and errors in drafting, signing, or witnessing could affect the will’s validity or create problems during probate. Additionally, ongoing professional services are typically not included. So, if you need to change your will, you may need to complete a new document, purchase an updated kit, or seek legal help, depending on the changes required.

Cost of online will services

Cost: $39 to $200+

Online will services guide you through an estate planning checklist and help you generate a will based on your answers about your assets, beneficiaries, and guardians. You must then execute the will according to your state’s signing and witnessing requirements. These services are best suited for individuals with straightforward estates who want a convenient and affordable alternative to hiring an attorney.

While DIY kits are static, many online will services let you return to your account and update your documents as your circumstances change. Pricing varies, but most services charge a one-time fee with a lower-cost subscription for ongoing access, updates, or additional services. For many people, this can provide a relatively affordable balance of guidance, convenience, and flexibility.

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Cost of an estate planning attorney

Cost: $300 to $2,500+

An estate planning attorney is a licensed legal professional who can draft your will and provide advice tailored to your circumstances. This option may be particularly useful if you have complex assets, business interests, a blended family, or other complicated estate planning needs. An attorney can review your assets, discuss your goals, and help ensure your will meets your state’s legal requirements.

The cost of hiring an attorney depends on factors such as the complexity of your estate, your location, and the attorney’s fee structure. Some attorneys charge a flat rate for drafting a will or estate plan, while others bill by the hour. Additional services, such as document storage, future amendments, trusts, or other estate planning documents, may cost extra.

Whether hiring a lawyer is worthwhile depends largely on your specific situation. A reputable online will service may be sufficient for a straightforward estate, while an attorney may be needed to provide personalized guidance for more complex situations. Professional legal advice may also help reduce ambiguities or errors that could lead to disputes or make it harder to carry out your wishes.

What can affect the cost of a will?

Several factors can affect the cost of a will, including where you live, the type of service you use, and the complexity and size of your estate. Understanding these variables can help you budget accurately and choose the right service for your needs.

The cost of making a will varies due to factors such as local attorney rates, the cost of living, and market demand. In states with higher living costs, legal services generally tend to be more expensive.

For example, a simple attorney-drafted will in New York and California may cost $500 to $1,500. Fees may be lower in states with a lower cost of living, such as Indiana and West Virginia, although an attorney-drafted will can still cost several hundred dollars or more depending on the lawyer, fee structure, and complexity of the estate.

Online will services can reduce some of these geographic price differences because many use standardized or flat-rate pricing. However, costs and included services vary by provider.

Whether you have an individual or a joint will

The cost of creating a will can vary depending on whether you need a will for one person or estate planning documents for a couple. Individual wills are more common and offer greater flexibility. Joint wills — where two people, typically spouses, share a single document — are less common and can be harder to change after one person dies.

Attorney fees may be higher when planning for two people because additional assets, beneficiaries, and wishes may need to be addressed. Many online will services offer discounted packages for couples, which can cost less than purchasing two plans separately. DIY kits are typically priced per person or document, although pricing varies by provider.

The complexity of your estate can affect the type of will you need and, therefore, how much it costs to create. A simple will, the most common type, generally outlines how your assets should be distributed, names an executor, and can designate guardians for minor children and other dependents. It may be suitable for straightforward estates and can often be created using an online service or template.

More complex circumstances involving multiple properties, business interests, numerous beneficiaries, or special conditions may require a different type of will or additional estate planning documents, which generally increases the overall cost. For example, a testamentary trust will can place assets in a trust for beneficiaries, while a pour-over will directs certain assets into an existing trust.

A living will, meanwhile, covers your medical care preferences rather than the distribution of your estate and may add to your total estate planning costs if created alongside your last will and testament.

Online services and DIY kits may not accommodate more complicated needs, so you’ll likely need an attorney to draft your will or to help set up a trust, which can further increase the overall cost.

Attorneys use different fee structures, which can affect the total cost of creating your will. Some charge an hourly rate, often ranging from $150 to $500+ per hour. This structure is more common for complex estates that require extensive consultation. Others charge a flat fee, which sets a fixed price for drafting a standard will and can make costs more predictable.

An attorney’s experience, location, and specialization can also play a part. A seasoned estate planning attorney may charge more, particularly for complex estates. In return, specialized legal guidance can help ensure your will complies with state law, clearly reflects your wishes, and reduces ambiguities that could contribute to disputes (and delays) during probate.

Can you make a will for free?

Yes, it is possible to make a will for free. Free templates and online forms can help you document your wishes without paying for a lawyer or online service, and some states may recognize handwritten wills. However, validity requirements vary by state, and free options are generally not advisable unless you have no other choice.

If your estate is relatively straightforward, consider using an online will service for an affordable and more reliable alternative to writing a free, DIY will. These services typically provide a guided process and state-specific documents much more cheaply than a lawyer, although you are still responsible for properly signing and executing your will.

The cost of a trust vs a will

A trust is generally more expensive than a will because it involves more legal work to create and fund, and may involve ongoing administration as your situation changes. A trust is a legal entity that holds assets for the benefit of designated beneficiaries. Certain trusts, including properly funded revocable living trusts, can help assets avoid probate.

The cost of a trust depends heavily on how you create it. Online revocable living trust services typically cost a few hundred dollars, with major providers currently charging around $399 to $599 for basic plans. Attorney-drafted revocable living trusts commonly cost $1,500 to $4,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the estate. In comparison, a will usually costs between $200 and $1,500, depending on how it was drafted.

Factors that affect the cost of a trust include:

• The type of trust: Revocable living trusts tend to be less expensive to establish than more complex irrevocable trusts.
• The complexity and size of your estate: More assets and types of property (real estate, businesses, investments) can increase the cost of both wills and trusts.
• Specialized legal provisions: You may need additional planning, such as special needs trusts or spendthrift clauses, to control how and when beneficiaries receive assets.
• State laws: Probate and trust laws vary by state, affecting legal fees.
• Your attorney’s experience: Specialized attorneys may charge more for both services.
• The funding process: A trust requires you to transfer or retitle applicable assets, which may involve additional legal or administrative fees not required for a will.

How do I know if I need a trust?

You should consider a trust if you want to avoid probate, maintain privacy, or plan for how your assets will be managed if you become incapacitated. Trusts may also be beneficial if you have a large estate, own property in multiple states, or have beneficiaries with special needs. If your estate is simple and you live in a state with a streamlined probate process, a will may be sufficient and more cost-effective.

A trust can also provide safeguards for people who may become vulnerable to financial exploitation because of age or incapacity. For example, a properly structured trust can authorize a trustee or successor trustee to manage assets if the grantor becomes incapacitated, potentially limiting a scammer’s direct access to those assets. However, a trust does not itself prevent scams, identity theft, or home title theft, so broader fraud and identity-protection measures remain important.

Plan ahead with confidence

Making a will is an important step toward protecting your assets and the people who depend on you. As you put your estate plan in place, sign up to get more practical tips about how to safeguard your assets now, and into the future, sent straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get notified when LifeLock Estate Planning is available where you live.