Making a will can cost anywhere from nothing to well over a thousand dollars, and the right number for you depends less on price than on how complicated your life is. Here is what each option actually costs and how to choose.
A will is the foundation of almost every estate plan. It names who inherits your belongings, who will raise your minor children, and who will carry out your wishes as executor. The good news is that protecting your family does not have to be expensive, and skipping it entirely is far costlier. When someone dies without a will, state law decides everything, often slowly and not the way you would have chosen, as we explain in what happens if you die without a will.
The three ways to make a will (and what they cost)
There are really three paths, and they sit on a clear spectrum from cheapest and most hands-on to most expensive and most guided.
| Option | Typical cost | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free DIY template | $0 | Simple wishes, tight budget, comfort with forms | No guidance; easy to make a costly mistake |
| Online will service | $0–$150 (some charge a $40–$130/yr membership) | Straightforward estates wanting structure and prompts | Not tailored to unusual or complex situations |
| Attorney-drafted will | $300–$1,200+ | Blended families, business owners, larger or taxable estates | Highest upfront cost |
Free DIY templates ($0)
You can download a blank will template or write one by hand for free. This is genuinely a legal option in every state, provided you follow the signing rules. The catch is that a free template gives you a form, not advice. There is no one to flag that you forgot to name a backup executor, used language a court might read two ways, or failed to sign in front of the right number of witnesses. For very simple situations, free can work; for anything else, a small mistake can cost your heirs far more than you saved.
Online will services ($0–$150)
Services like the ones we cover in our guide to online will services sit in the middle. You answer plain-English questions, and the platform assembles a state-specific will, usually with a guardianship clause for kids and instructions for signing. Basic single wills often run $0 to $100; a couples or bundled package (will plus power of attorney plus healthcare directive) typically runs $100 to $250. Some charge a yearly membership instead, roughly $40 to $130, which buys unlimited edits, a meaningful perk since wills should change as your life does.
Attorney-drafted wills ($300–$1,200+)
A licensed estate attorney is the most expensive and most thorough option. A simple will alone might run $300 to $600; a fuller estate-planning package often runs $1,000 to $1,200 or more, sometimes billed as a flat fee and sometimes hourly (commonly $150 to $400 per hour). You are paying for a professional who tailors the document to your state and your family, anticipates problems, and can coordinate a will with trusts, tax planning, and beneficiary designations.
What actually drives the price
Two people can pay wildly different amounts for a will. The main factors:
- Complexity of your estate. A single person with a bank account and a car needs far less than someone with a business, rental properties, or assets in several states.
- Family situation. Blended families, minor children, a dependent with special needs, or anyone you intend to leave out all raise the stakes and the cost.
- Bundled documents. A true plan usually includes a power of attorney and a healthcare directive. Packages cost more but cover more.
- Trusts and tax planning. If you need a living trust to avoid probate or manage taxes, you are in a higher price tier entirely.
- Where you live. Attorney rates vary by region, and a few states have stricter formalities that add time.
Is a cheap or DIY will still legally valid?
Price has nothing to do with legality. A $0 will and a $1,200 will are equally valid if both are signed correctly. In most states, that means you are 18 or older and of sound mind, the will is written, you sign it, and two adult witnesses who do not inherit under the will watch you sign and sign themselves. Some states want or allow notarization through a "self-proving affidavit," which speeds up probate later; whether your state requires it is covered in does a will need to be notarized. The real danger with cheap wills is not that they are illegal but that errors slip in unnoticed, leaving your family to sort it out in court.
When it is worth paying an attorney
For many people, an online will is perfectly adequate. But certain situations are worth the higher cost because a mistake is expensive and hard to undo. Consider an attorney if you have:
- A blended family, an estranged relative, or anyone you want to disinherit.
- A child or dependent with special needs who relies on government benefits.
- A business, professional practice, or significant rental real estate.
- An estate large enough to face estate tax, or property in more than one state.
- A desire to use trusts, or any worry that someone might contest the will.
If none of those apply and your wishes are simple, you can likely use a DIY or online tool with confidence. Either way, a will is one piece of a larger picture; pair it with the rest of your documents using our end-of-life planning checklist.
The bottom line
The cheapest valid will is the one you actually finish. A free or low-cost will that is signed correctly beats an expensive one you never get around to, and any will beats none at all. Match the option to your complexity: DIY or online for simple estates, an attorney when family or finances get complicated. Then mark your calendar to revisit it every few years.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Estate laws vary by state and change over time. For guidance on your specific situation, consult a licensed estate-planning attorney in your state.