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The 6 Best Online Will Makers of 2024

• An online will maker service for your estate planning needs costs anywhere from $0–$299.
• You can create a legally binding will for free in a few hours when you use Rocket Lawyer.
• Our top choice for online will makers of 2024 is LegalZoom because of its step-by step process with guidance from knowledgeable attorneys, range of offerings, and easy-to-use platform.

Our  Reviews Team  is made up of credentialed attorneys who researched and used the online will-making services we reviewed so we can help you decide which is best for you. We selected our top choices based on:

• 200+ hours of research
• 100+ hours of estate law education
• Eight brands reviewed
• Five brands selected
• Four experts consulted
• 500+ third party reviews referenced

To better explain our research, we’ve listed pros and cons, best uses, and rankings of common features.

Key Takeaways

• An online will maker service for your  estate planning  needs costs anywhere from $0–$299.

Creating a will can be an overwhelming and expensive process, which might be why only 46% of all American adults have one, according to a Gallup poll . [1] Gallup.com. How Many Americans Have a Will? June 23, 2021. Found on the Internet at https://news.gallup.com/poll/351500/how-many-americans-have-will.aspx Miranda M. Riva, Esq. headshot Miranda M. Riva But it is possible to create a long-lasting will for an affordable price. If an attorney isn’t in your budget, an online will-making service can be a good alternative.

Online will-making services ask a series of questions to help you generate your will document and use your responses to generate a state-specific form you can download and print. Experienced estate attorneys design or review state-specific forms. As long as you provide accurate information and execute your will in accordance with your state’s laws, your online will should be legally acceptable.

While an online will is a viable option for most people, the following circumstances might be better handled with the help of an attorney:

• Complex financial situation (for example, large amounts of debt)
• Complicated family structure (for example, questions of disinheritance)
• Undecided wishes (for example, how to divide your estate)

Our Reviews Team researched and tested the best online will-making services. In this article, we summarize our experience and compare and contrast picks for the best will-making services on the internet.

A quick look at the best online will maker services

• LegalZoom : Editor’s Pick
• Trust & Will : Most User-Friendly
• Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker & Trust : Best Value
• GoodTrust : Best for All-in-One Services
• Rocket Lawyer : Most Affordable
• U.S. LegalWills : Best for Lifetime Unlimited Updates

The best online will maker services of 2024

Editor’s pick: legalzoom.

• Promotions:  N/A
• Document storage:  Yes, with LegalZoom account
• Access to an attorney:  Yes, with certain packages or membership
• Unlimited updates: Free for 30 days or 1 year with certain packages
• Satisfaction guarantee:  60-day full refund

LegalZoom estate planning packages

LegalZoom offers four different estate planning packages, and each has varying access to attorneys.

All packages include a healthcare directive, financial power of attorney, HIPAA authorization, 30 days of free revisions, and printing & shipping of one set of documents.

Here is the current package information that LegalZoom offers:

Basic Will ($99):

Everything mentioned above plus:

• Last will & testament

Premium Will ($249)

• Attorney review of your documents
• Unlimited 30 day min calls with an attorney for 1 year
• Attorney advice for your family
• 1 year of free revisions

Basic Trust ($399)

• Living trust
• Pour-over will
• Certificate of trust
• Schedule of assets
• Bill of transfer

Premium Trust ($549)

• Unlimited 30 min calls with an attorney for 1 year

The questionnaire to generate your will is easy to use. You can download the packet immediately, and it includes instructions for making your will valid under your state’s laws. Unlike other services with an annual or monthly membership and unlimited updates, LegalZoom doesn’t have a process for you to update your documents outside of the specified time period with your package. For example, if you purchase the basic will for $99, but you wait to make changes until after the 30-day unlimited update window, you’ll have to pay $199 to make revisions.

Legal Assist plan membership

LegalZoom offers direct attorney assistance through its Legal Assist plan membership. Available to all users seeking legal advice on any topic, it can be purchased as a year-long membership for $199 or a six-month membership for $119. Direct attorney assistance is automatically built into the Premium Will and Premium Trust packages.

The membership offers unlimited 30-minute consultations on new legal matters. A new legal matter is completely unique from, and not at all related to, a legal matter you previously inquired about.

For example, you may be limited to a single 30-minute discussion about your will document. If you need to go over 30-minutes or make a second inquiry about it, it may not be considered a “new legal matter.” In that case, the attorney you’re connected with will give you their fee structure (which varies by attorney) and bill you for any additional time. You’re always connected with an attorney in your state, so that fee will vary based on your location and their firm’s billable hourly cost. If you’re a LegalZoom member, you’ll get 25% off the firm’s standard rate for representation.

Because Legal Assist is a yearly or six-month membership, it will auto-renew at the year or six-month mark, depending on what you have chosen. If you purchased a Premium Will or Premium Trust package, you can expect the Legal Assist portion of this to auto-renew after a year for $199.

Customer reviews

LegalZoom has 4.5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot based on 3,300 reviews. More than 80% of reviewers gave it 5 out of 5 stars. Customers mentioned they were longtime subscribers, and the service continues to meet their needs. We found 13% of all reviewers gave LegalZoom 1 out of 5 stars, complaining the website often directs to an error page and provides unclear descriptions of deadlines and fees.

Our experience

The overall questionnaire process for completing a will was straightforward and in easy-to-understand language.

It was easy to sign up and purchase a package. We were impressed with the value of the Premium Will, which is an extra $100 but comes with unlimited, 30-minute phone calls with an attorney for up to a year and one year of free revisions.

When we asked questions through chat, a helpful response followed within five minutes. We reached a representative by phone within 10 minutes. An email response took around one business day.

Customer service options

• Phone:  888-379-0854 available 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday; 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET, weekends
• Email:  [email protected]
• Contact on the website:   Contact us

Why we chose LegalZoom

LegalZoom was one of the first companies in online legal assistance. Since its founding in 2001, it has helped more than 2 million customers with their estate planning needs. Unlike its competitors, LegalZoom offers direct attorney assistance in several legal specialties, making it qualified to assist customers with a wide variety of legal needs. In addition, Legal Zoom has one of the lowest starting costs for creating a will, earning it our distinction of “Editor’s Pick.”

Most User-Friendly: Trust & Will

• Cost:  $199
• Promotions:  $10 off with code Gimmie10
• Document storage:  Yes, with annual Trust & Will membership
• Access to an attorney:  Yes, for an additional cost (currently only available in 17 states)
• Unlimited updates:  Free for the first year, then $19 per year
• Satisfaction guarantee:  30-day full refund

Trust & Will Estate Planning Package

Trust & Will currently only offers a single package for creating an online will.

Will-based estate package ($199):

Last will and testament

• Power of attorney
• Living will
• HIPAA authorization form A HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) authorization form is important when you execute a living will or advance health care directive because it gives the person in charge of medical decisions access to your medical history.

For more information about this online will service, read our in-depth Trust & Will review.

Trust & Will was founded in 2017 and has quickly become established in the online estate planning industry. The company offers a free year of unlimited updates with your $199 purchase. To make changes to your documents after the year has passed, you can become a member for $19 per year, and you can make unlimited updates for as long as you retain membership. Trust & Will also offers do-it-yourself probate tools executors of a will (those who carry out the will) can purchase if they need state-specific assistance when entering   probate Probate is the legal procedure your estate goes through after you pass away.  court.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for when completing your estate documents, you can use the chat function at the bottom of the page,  send an email , or  fill out an inquiry form  to get help from an expert. You can use the chat function to connect with someone  during business hours  or find out more information about a topic. find recommended resources, and connect to an expert if you need help.

Trust & Will has 4.6 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot based on more than 3,400 reviews. Close to 90% of the reviews left by customers are 5 out of 5 stars. Customers called out the simplicity and clarity of the platform overall, as well as great customer service when issues or questions arose. Complaints focused on issues with the website timing out and no room for customizations when answering questions.

At first glance, Trust & Will has one of the most visually organized website designs in the industry. The layout is intuitive and easy to navigate.

One thing our team didn’t like is its lack of a simple will option and overall inability to customize. While it offers high-quality documents, you may not need all four of the documents in the package.

The auto-response that appears when you ask a question leads to a number of related resources we found helpful. We waited five minutes to talk to an expert on chat, and the wait for an email response was a few hours.

Read more in our full  Trust & Will  review.

• Phone:  866-908-7878 available 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday; Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT
• Email:  [email protected]
• Contact on the website:   Submit a request

Why we chose Trust & Will

Trust & Will earned our “Most User-Friendly” status for two main reasons: the site gave helpful explanations and tips throughout the will-creation process, and it provided thorough and well-researched resources for additional information on estate planning topics. Each time we asked a question using any of the provided channels of contact, our Legal Reviews Team received an accurate answer within two hours. Compared with other companies on this list that took at least one day to respond, the quick turnaround time is impressive. We felt this was the closest experience to hiring a lawyer.

Best Value: Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker & Trust

• Cost:  $99–$209
• Promotions:  25% off with code T1040
• Document storage:  Yes, with the top package through a partnership with  Everplans
• Access to an attorney:  Not through platform, but Nolo can connect you with a local attorney
• Unlimited updates:  Free for the first year, then cost varies based on package ($99–$209)

Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker & Trust packages

Quicken WillMaker & Trust offers three different customized estate plan packages:

Starter ($99):

• Health care power of attorney
• Final arrangement forms

Plus ($139):

The plus package has all the starter package features and:

• Financial power of attorney
• Letters to survivors
• Transfer on death deed
• Estate planning tools available as downloadable software

All-access ($209):

The all-access package has all the starter and plus package features and:

• One year subscription to  Everplans  (document and information storage service)

If you can’t decide which package you want, our Reviews Team recommends beginning with the starter package. You can upgrade at any time in your dashboard.

Quicken WillMaker & Trust has been helping customers make their wills for the last 30 years. The online questionnaire format doesn’t require you to download anything, which keeps the process simple. But if you want to keep your personal information off the internet, the downloadable software guarantees your documents are only accessible through your personal device. Along with increased privacy, the software offers a high-contrast mode for people with  vision loss .

To make the process easy, Quicken WillMaker & Trust provides a checklist before starting the questionnaire. A “helpful information” box below the prompt will guide you if you are unsure of how to answer. Quicken WillMaker & Trust also provides an  extensive book (available online)  with detailed instructions and additional information to help create your will.

Quicken WillMaker & Trust has 4.5 out of 5 stars on  Trustpilot  based on more than 230 reviews. Of those reviews, 74% give the service 5 out of 5 stars, specifically mentioning how easy the product is to use and its inclusivity for people of all ages and backgrounds. Only 5% of users gave 1 out of 5 stars, mentioning never hearing back from customer service after making an inquiry and having technical issues with the software.

Quicken WillMaker & Trust was by far the easiest platform for our Reviews Team to purchase and use. The language throughout the questionnaire was clear, and the option for further information provided an extra layer of guidance. We were specifically impressed with the number of high-quality documents you can get for such an affordable cost.

We found it difficult to get in contact with the company, since you don’t have access to direct contact links or a chat feature on the website. But we were able to reach a representative within five minutes using the toll-free phone number. An email response took around one business day. Customer service can only help with service- and product-related issues. They cannot answer legal questions.

For more information about this online will service, read our in-depth  LegalZoom Review .

• Phone:  800-728-3555 available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday
• Email:   [email protected]
• Contact on the website:  N/A

Why we chose Quicken WillMaker & Trust

Best for all-in-one services: goodtrust.

• Promotions: N/A
• Document storage: Yes
• Access to an attorney: No
• Unlimited updates: Free for 1 year, $39 annual members for continued changes after year
• Satisfaction guarantee: 14-day full refund

GoodTrust offers one estate planning package which includes a will, trust, power of attorney, advanced directives, funeral directives, guardianship documentation, and storage of all important documents in their Smart Digital Vault.

Unlimited revisions are included in the GoodTrust package for one year, which costs $149. Additional revisions can be made after one year as part of the subscription service costing $39 per year.

Since their founding in 2020, GoodTrust has been offering one comprehensive estate planning package along with document storage in their Smart Digital Vault. Because GoodTrust doesn’t offer attorney support, we feel this service is best for individuals with straightforward estate planning needs who desire a simple, self-guided process for completing their needed documents in one place. GoodTrust stands out as an all-in-one service since their package includes a will, trust, directives, and power of attorney, along with additional wills for all adult family members at no added cost.

According to GoodTrust, all of their documents have been created by experienced attorneys and unlimited revisions can be made for up to one year, after which changes can be made using their $39 yearly subscription.

GoodTrust has a 3.5 out of 5 stars on TrustPilot based on 40 reviews. Of those reviews, 60% give the service 5 out 5 stars, specifically mentioning the helpfulness of customer support when users had questions about completing their documents. Of the 40 reviewers, 15% give GoodTrust 1 out of 5 stars, with one reviewer unsatisfied with the price and another the lack of state-specific services.

Contact on the website: mygoodtrust.com/contact

Why we chose GoodTrust

GoodTrust earned the “best for all-in-one services” from our Reviews Team because this estate planning service offers users everything they need to create a will, trust, and advance directives in one, comprehensive package. In addition to their all-in-one services, GoodTrust includes unlimited wills for all adult family members and unlimited revisions to documents for the first year. Although GoodTrust doesn’t offer attorney support, they state all of their documents were created by experienced attorneys to ensure accuracy.

Most Affordable: Rocket Lawyer

• Cost:  $0–$19.99 per month
• Promotions:  Seven-day free trial followed by a month-long trial for $5
• Document storage:  Yes, with monthly Rocket Lawyer membership
• Access to an attorney:  Yes, unlimited 30-minute consultation on new legal issues
• Unlimited updates:  Free for seven days, $5 for the second month, then $39.99 per month
• Satisfaction guarantee:  No

Rocket Lawyer estate planning package

Rocket Lawyer doesn’t offer a specific estate package, but for the free seven-day trial and while you’re an active member paying the monthly $39.99 fee, you’ll get access to hundreds of other state-specific legal forms, and you’ll be able to make unlimited changes to your documents.

When you pay for the membership, you’ll also get one free 30-minute consultation with an attorney regarding any new legal matters (new and unrelated to previous inquiries) that arise.

Rocket Lawyer is known mostly for its quick and easy-to-use website with free legal forms and templates. It may be a good option if you’re about to have surgery and want to quickly get a will in place.

After you create an account and answer questions to create your will, you’ll need to put in your credit card information before you can download your document. You’ll have access to your will and any other legal form you can find on the Rocket Lawyer database for free during the initial seven-day trial. After your trial expires, Rocket Lawyer will automatically charge $39.99 per month, unless you cancel ahead of time.

While our team chose Rocket Lawyer as a great free option for creating your will, this service doesn’t provide extra assistance or guidance when completing the questionnaire. Additionally, if you forget to cancel the free trial, you may end up paying more for your documents than if you chose a different service.

Rocket Lawyer has 4.7 out of 5 stars on  Trustpilot  based on more than 7,000 reviews. More than 80% of reviewers gave it 5 out of 5 stars. Customers highlighted the free document feature and the range of legal forms available on the database. Only 4% of customers gave it 1 out of 5 stars, reporting difficulty canceling the subscription and issues connecting with an attorney.

Rocket Lawyer is a great resource for legal forms, especially for estate planning. We also like that you can get a custom-made will for free.

What we didn’t like is how you go through the questionnaire process before you’re asked to put in credit card information. It felt misleading at first, since it’s advertised as a free will but also asks for payment before you can view the finished document. If you call or email to cancel your subscription within the seven-day period you can complete and download whatever legal forms you want for free. When we emailed, we got a response back within five hours. When calling, it took about 15 minutes to connect with a representative.

Customer Service Options

• Phone:  877-881-0947 available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday
• Email:  N/A
• Contact on the website:  ( Contact us )

Why we chose Rocket Lawyer

Rocket Lawyer is the only online will service we reviewed that generates a downloadable will for free, which is why we named it “Most Affordable.” It ties with U.S. LegalWills for the lowest starting price ($39), but it offers more forms with no extra cost and has attorneys available, unlike U.S. LegalWills.

Best for Lifetime Unlimited Updates: U.S. LegalWills

• Cost:  $39.95–$129.95
• Promotions:  When you join, your partner will get 40% off their membership; refer a friend, they get a 10% discount, and you get a $20 Amazon gift card
• Document storage:  Yes, with purchase
• Access to an attorney:  No
• Unlimited updates:  Yes, cost varies

U.S. LegalWills estate planning packages

Last will and testament ($39.95):

Premium last will and testament ($69.95):

The premium package has all the last will and testament package features and:

• Personalized messages and wishes
• Family access to your documents

Complete estate plan ($99.95):

The complete estate plan has all the premium package features and:

Premium estate plan ($129.95):

The premium estate plan has all the complete estate plan features and:

• My Life Locker
• Digital Vault

Unlimited updates:

• First year: Free
• Two years: $11.95
• Five years: $29.95
• 10 years: $39.95
• 25 years: $79.95
• Life: $129.95

U.S. LegalWills offers three different and affordable estate planning bundle packages. You can also choose a “build your own” option and add the documents you need, instead of paying for documents you don’t need. This makes U.S. LegalWills one of the most customizable will-making services we reviewed.

U.S. LegalWills also has advanced information storage available with  My Life Locker , which stores personal information, and  Digital Vault , which contains documents you want to upload for future use by your executor. These two storage options are only available with the highest tier package.

U.S. LegalWills has 4.6 out of 5 stars on  Trustpilot  based on more than 400 reviews. More than 80% of reviewers gave it 5 out of 5 stars. Customers highlighted how easy the process was and how quickly they were able to complete the forms.

Some customers complained the forms weren’t upheld in a court of law. To each of those reviews, a customer service representative defended U.S. LegalWills and gave citations to the law supporting the forms.

Despite the website platform appearing outdated, the questionnaire process was simple. The “try now for free” option at the bottom of the package prices was misleading. This is not the same as the free trial Rocket Lawyer offers. You’ll move through the will-creation process, but at the end, only a preview of the first page of your will is available to you. To see the rest, you’ll need to purchase the product. It took about 10 minutes to connect with a representative by phone, and an email response took around 10 hours.

• Phone:  888-660-9455 available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday
• Email:  [email protected]

Why we chose U.S. LegalWills

What makes U.S. LegalWills stand out is the cost of unlimited updates, which is why we named it “Best for Lifetime Unlimited Updates.” Most notably, the lifetime deal costs a flat fee of $129.95. For other online will services, the cost to make unlimited updates ranges from $19 to more than $300 per year. Cost varies depending on how long you want to be able to make updates.

What to look for in the best online will makers

Estate planning is a customizable experience, so flexibility is important. Most platforms offer some variation of the features below, whether in a bundle or as add-on services.

The most important document in the estate planning process is a last will and testament , often referred to as a “will.” This document specifies who will be responsible for distributing your estate and can give detailed instructions about which beneficiaries are entitled to certain items or sums of money. Many wills also include guardianship details if the will writer has minor children or pets.

When you create an online will, you’ll answer a series of personal and financial questions that will help create your final document. Each one of the services we’ve selected has state-specific forms created by estate planning experts. After finishing the questionnaire, you can download the completed documents, print them out, and execute them according to the instructions provided by your online will service.

Additional estate planning documents

Creating a simple will is important at any stage in your life, but you should consider additional documents as well. The most common estate documents, in addition to a will, are a power of attorney and a living will (also called a health care directive). Most online services offer these legal documents as an add-on feature, but some offer a package deal for all three. Depending on your circumstances, you may want to invest in a service that offers a bundle. Read our guide to learn how to make a will without a lawyer .

Unlimited updates

Celeste Robertson , Esq., a member of the Texas Bar Foundation and practicing attorney since 1994, advised “you should review your will and other estate planning documents every three to five years” and always “revisit these documents whenever significant life changes occur.” Robertson gave the following examples of significant life changes:

• Birth of a child [or grandchild]
• A substantial change in assets.

That means it’s important to note whether you can make changes to your documents in the platform you choose. Many services offer free, unlimited changes for at least the first 30 days after purchase. Others offer free changes for up to a year or without limits. With services that offer a membership, you’ll generally be able to make unlimited updates to your estate documents so long as you pay the monthly or annual subscription.

Document storage

While you should always have an original paper copy of all your important documents, it’s a great idea to have virtually accessible backup copies. Most of our top choices have a virtual storage space for your will and any other documents you completed using the service. Some even allow you to upload additional important documents, such as:

• Identification cards
• Real estate deeds
• Account numbers
• Life insurance policy
• Tax documents

When choosing a virtual storage base, security is a top concern. Each of the services on this list that offers document storage has one or two layers of encryption (converting information into a code to prevent unauthorized access) to protect sensitive information from anyone who doesn’t have authorization to access your account. Quicken WillMaker & Trust and Trust & Will both took an extra step by undergoing Type 2 Service Organization Control 2 (SOC 2 Type 2) auditing ⓘ SOC 2 Type 2 is an exam used to evaluate and report on the effectiveness of a service organization’s controls related to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. , which provides an independent, third-party assessment of a service organization’s security during a period of time.

Family plan

Some online services offer a second will for a discounted price. This is ideal if your spouse or close family member is also interested in creating a will. Even if spouses or partners own property and assets together, it’s common for them to create reciprocal wills. These are two separate wills, each making the other the beneficiary of the entire estate. For services that offer a family plan, you can often get the second will at a discounted price, and you can easily add it on at checkout.

Helpful hint: If this feature is essential for you, Quicken WillMaker & Trust allows you to make an unlimited number of wills with a single purchase of one of its products. In other words, you can get estate documents for the whole family for the cost of one package.

Attorney assistance

While most people creating a will online can do so without additional assistance, you might be interested in seeking general legal advice or having a lawyer look over your will, especially if you have a complex estate plan. Some services offer specialized legal assistance throughout the creation process—usually at a higher cost. If you anticipate needing an estate planning attorney to look over your documents at any point during the process, you should consider choosing a service that offers this as an add-on feature.

Helpful hint: If this feature is essential for you, you might consider the premium package from LegalZoom. You’ll have on-demand, unlimited 30-minute calls with an attorney to ask whatever estate questions you have for 1 year after purchase. Other services cost more than $200 per year for this level of access or limit your questions to “new legal matters” only.

Satisfaction guarantee

Many services are backed by a 30-day money-back satisfaction guarantee. Some guarantees may come with limitations or will only apply refunds to certain services.

How we reviewed online will-making services

The Reviews Team curated a scoring system for online will-making services that considers the value for money, ease of use, customer support, features, and customer satisfaction. Here’s how it breaks down:

• Value for money (35% of total score): We rated the value of every online will maker’s basic package. We also considered whether the service offered free or unlimited will revisions and a money-back satisfaction guarantee.
• Ease of use (25% of total score): We looked at whether we could navigate the website successfully and where the roadblocks, if any, came up. Did we have trouble adding features or signing into our account? We compared our experiences before and after account setup.
• Customer support (20% of total score): We reviewed each company’s customer service offerings through email, phone, and chat, and gave a score based on timeliness and accuracy of responses.
• Features (15% of total score): We looked at the essential estate planning features and add-on services the company offers and whether the packages are customizable.
• Customer satisfaction (5% of total score): We looked at customer ratings across trusted third-party review sites, like Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot, and rated our own satisfaction with the process.

Bottom line

After hundreds of hours researching, our Reviews Team found the above online will maker companies to be the top five in the market. We found Legal Zoom is our best overall because of its combination of excellent legal support, step-by-step process, and affordable prices.

We liked Trust & Will for its excellent customer support and user-friendly creation process, and if you’re looking for high-quality documents and affordable ongoing support, Quicken WillMaker & Trust would be your best option. If you want to have an attorney review your will and answer questions along the way, LegalZoom is our top pick for legal assistance. With its free will option, Rocket Lawyer is best for those on a budget. If making unlimited lifetime updates is high on your priority list, U.S. LegalWills is a great option.

For more resources about planning for the future:

• Read our guidance on managing someone else’s legal, financial, and medical decisions
• Be informed about estate recovery , how it works, and how it can affect you or a loved one

Comparison of best online will makers, as of October 2024

*Create a will for free during the seven-day trial period.

**If your order has been completed, you have 7 days from completion to request a refund.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, it’s completely legitimate to use an online service to create your will. As long as you execute the document in accordance with your state’s laws, your online will is legally binding.

Among those reviewed services, Trust & Will was our number one “Editor’s Pick.” Next, we chose LegalZoom, Quicken WillMaker & Trust, followed by Rocket Lawyer, and U.S. LegalWills.

The main pros of online wills are they’re more affordable than hiring an estate attorney, they can be created from home, and they’re easier than writing a will from scratch.

The main cons of online wills are that an attorney review is not available with all services, they might not be the best option for those with a complicated estate, and unlimited updates not available with all services (requiring re-purchase to make updates).

The price to create a simple online will range from $0–$89. Some packages offering several documents, in addition to a will, can cost up to $299.

While an online will is designed to be legally binding if you provide accurate information and follow your state’s laws, its validity could be contested if someone has reason to believe it wasn’t written properly.

In some circumstances, such as complex financial situations, complicated family structures, or undecided wishes, it’s best to consult an attorney.

Have questions about this review? Email us at [email protected] .

• Gallup.com. How Many Americans Have a Will? June 23, 2021. Found on the Internet at https://news.gallup.com/poll/351500/how-many-americans-have-will.aspx

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You are in section Home Help Useful information Bereavement support Current Page

Bereavement support

Dealing with the financial affairs of a loved one when you're grieving is never easy. There are so many things to deal with and decisions to be made - but we hope the information on this page, and the help of our  Bereavement Support Team  will make things a little easier.

• First steps
• Telling others
• Releasing money
• Other support

What to do first

Here are a few steps that need to be taken shortly after a death. The hospital or GP involved may also give you advice on what to do first.

Register the death

When someone dies in England and Wales, you need to register the death at the registry office within five days (or eight days in Scotland).

It's better to go to the registry office in the area where the person died, or it might take longer to get the documents you need and this could delay the funeral. Here you'll be given the following three documents:

• a certificate for burial or cremation
• a certificate of registration of death
• the Death Certificate, which will be a copy of the entry in the register - some organisations will ask to see the original Death Certificate, so it's a good idea to get several certified copies.

Please select one of the following links to find out how you can register the death at your local registry office:

Find your local registry office in England and Wales Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first]

Find your local registry office in Scotland Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first]

Arrange the funeral

Funerals can be expensive, so unless there's a prepaid funeral plan, we'd advise you check there will be enough money to pay for it before you make any arrangements.

• if the deceased has accounts with first direct , we will usually be able to  release money from the accounts to pay the funeral bill  (providing there's enough money in the accounts). If they have accounts with other banks or financial institutions, you can approach them to help with the funeral costs
• if you're claiming benefits  you may be able to get help with the funeral costs. Check with your Jobcentre Plus office as soon as possible as this will make it easier to plan the funeral
• if the deceased was employed , a 'death in service' payment may be available from their employer and payments may also be available from a benevolent fund or pension scheme. The employer's Human Resource department should be able to advise the next of kin or executor(s) if this is the case.

Find out if there's a Will

• a Will is important as it contains the last wishes of the deceased. The executor named in the Will holds the legal responsibility of dealing with the deceased's affairs. If you can't find a Will at their home, it's a good idea to ask their solicitor, bank, or financial advisor if they're holding it for safekeeping. If so, you'll need to establish whether the Will they hold is the last known version
• if someone dies without making a Will, it's known as 'dying intestate' and it becomes the responsibility of the next of kin to administer their estate, according to strict rules. You can find out more below, and  the Probate Services Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first]  website can also help you with this
• if HSBC are appointed as executors of the Will, you'll need to contact the  HSBC Bereavement Support Team  who will advise of the next steps.

Dealing with the estate

The personal representative(s) hold the legal responsibility of dealing with the deceased affairs and will need to:

• apply for Grant of Probate and / or Letters of Administration. Grant of Probate isn't always needed - it depends on the value of the assets held with each organisation, and it's best to check with them. Letters of Administration are only needed if the person died intestate - without making a Will - and they give the holder the authority to administer the estate
• value the estate
• make an inventory of everything in the estate
• settle any inheritance tax and other tax liabilities with HM Revenue and Customs
• contact utility and insurance companies (ensure any property is insured)
• collect all assets and settle any debts outstanding
• sell any property or investments not needed for transfer to beneficiaries or joint owners
• distribute the estate to the beneficiaries in accordance with the Will if there is one, or strict  laws of intestacy Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first]  if there isn't.

If you're a personal representative and feel you can't deal with this yourself, you can ask a solicitor to take care of some or all of it for you. Solicitors will charge a fee for this service so make sure you understand and agree before making a decision.

Alternatively, you can deal with the administration yourself. To find out more about what is involved and how to submit a personal application visit  The Probate Service website Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first] .

UK death notification service – letting first direct and other banks know at the same time

If, as well as first direct , you have other banks and building societies to inform, you may be able to use this free service to inform multiple financial organisations with one notification Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first] . 

Not sure where accounts are held?

If you're not sure which banks or building societies the deceased's accounts are held, the website  mylostaccount Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first]  can probably save you some time. It can help you track down a complete list of all the organisations that have accounts in the deceased's name.

However, if you’d like to inform first direct directly or the only bank you need to inform is first direct , you can get in touch with our Bereavement Support Team. 

Getting in touch with our Bereavement Support Team

We know this is an awful time. Our Bereavement Support Team are here to guide you through the money side of things, offering help and information in a simple, straightforward and empathetic way. They will:

• take you through the deceased notification process
• advise all other areas of first direct about the death
• make sure the information held on file is changed quickly so that our correspondence is correctly addressed (please be aware that some correspondence may already be in the post and unfortunately we can't recall them)
• confirm in writing what further steps need to be taken and what other documents we need
• provide a dedicated phone number for any further enquiries.

How to contact us

To notify us of a death and for all other queries, including guidance on probate, contact our Bereavement Support Team:

From UK:  0113 276 6669

From the Channel Islands, Isle of Man and abroad:  +44 113 234 5678

From UK:  03 456 100 147

From abroad:  +44 151 494 1260

The Bereavement Support Team are available 8am – 8pm Monday to Friday, 8am – 7pm Saturday and 10am to 6pm Sunday.

You can also notify us in person at your local HSBC branch and they'll liaise with our Bereavement Support Team.  Find your local HSBC branch .

You can also write to us at:

first direct

Banking Solutions

Bereavement Support Team

40 Wakefield Road

We'll then contact you with further information.

What we’ll need from you

We’ll talk you through exactly what we’ll need, but as a guide:

Sole Accounts

If all first direct accounts were in a sole name we’ll need:

• formal confirmation of the death, such as an original or certified copy of the Death Certificate or the Coroner’s Certificate. In some cases, we may be able to get this from the General Registry Office without needing to see the certificate
• one form of identification and one proof of address, if a personal representative doesn’t already bank with first direct . If you’ve already spoken to our team and have been asked to fill in an identification form, you can download it here:  Executor / Personal Representative Identity Form
• a fully completed Closure Form. The personal representative who signs the Closure Form takes responsibility to distribute the balance of the deceased’s accounts. If you’ve already spoken with our support team and you’re ready to fill in the Closure Form, you can download here: Closure Authority Form .

Once you’ve told us someone has died, all sole accounts will be frozen, which means:

• no money can be paid into (except dividend credits) or taken out of the accounts
• by law, we must cancel any Direct Debits or standing orders – including utility bills, mortgage, loan payments and home insurance.

If any of these payments need to continue, you’ll need to contact the companies directly to agree new payments from a different account.

Joint accounts

If the deceased held joint accounts with  first direct we’ll need:

• one form of identification and one proof of address, if a personal representative doesn’t already bank with  first direct . If you’ve already spoken to our team and have been asked to fill in an identification form, you can download it here: Executor / Personal Representative Identity Form .

Any joint accounts will change into the name of the remaining account holder once the death has been confirmed.

Letting everyone know

Once you've told family and friends, you should probably also let the deceased's employer and work colleagues know. You should also think about contacting any previous employers, in case there are benefits, such as pension fund payments, that may be due to the estate.

As well as telling people who are close to the person, in many cases you'll need to close down accounts, or cancel or change insurance details, subscriptions, agreements, payments or Direct Debits. Here's a non-exhaustive list of some of the organisations you may need to contact.

UK death notification service – letting other banks and first direct know at the same time

If, as well as first direct , you have other banks and building societies to inform, you may be able to use this free service to  inform multiple financial organisations with one notification Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first] . However, if you'd like to inform first direct directly, you can call our Bereavement Support Team. See ' Telling us '.

Organisations you might need to notify:

• banks and building societies
• utility companies
• mortgage, pension, investment and insurance companies
• credit and store card providers, card protection providers
• mobile phone providers
• council tax department
• Post Office - to redirect mail
• car insurance providers (if the person insured you under their policy, you'll usually no longer be covered to drive)
• home insurance providers will have certain requirements if the property is empty
• HM Revenue & Customs
• share registrars
• National Registration Service (if the person was a business partner)
• Housing Department (if they had a council house)
• Social Services (if they were receiving meals on wheels or had a home help etc.)
• Jobcentre Plus office (if they were receiving benefits)
• mailing/telephone preference service
• community support networks
• members' clubs
• social networking sites.

What you might need to return:

• UK Identity and Passport Service Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first]  - to return and cancel a passport
• DVLA Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first]  - to return any driving licence, cancel car tax or return
• travel season tickets - ask if you're entitled to a refund
• benefit/pension books - to the  Department of Work and Pensions Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first]
• TV Licence Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first]  - to change the name on the licence or get a refund
• membership cards of clubs or associations
• disability equipment
• library tickets and library books
• disabled car badge.

Funeral costs

If you want, and there's enough money in the deceased's  accounts, we can send a payment for the funeral deposit or the full cost of the funeral to the funeral directors. If you'd like us to do this, please send the original funeral bill, invoice or estimate to the  first direct   Bereavement Support Team  or take it into your  local HSBC branch .

We can also reimburse a funeral bill that's already been paid by the executor, next of kin or personal representative subject to proof of payment - usually a receipt from the funeral director.

Inheritance tax

It may be possible for us to pay inheritance tax before a Grant of Probate and Letters of Administration is issued, up to the value of the money held in the deceased's sole account. In order for us to release inheritance tax, the deceased's personal representative will need to provide the Bereavement Support Team with  an IHT423 form from HMRC Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first] .

Be fraud aware

Sometimes, criminals may take advantage of the fact they can see you’re going through a bereavement. They might use this as an opportunity to scam people going through this difficult time because they know this is when you’re in a vulnerable position. This could include offering financial or practical support and guidance or a safe haven for money.

Remember,  first direct  will never ask you to move money to a safe account.

Please remain vigilant and stay up to date with the latest information on our  fraud and security page . 

Financial support you might be eligible for

You might be entitled to receive extra help and benefits - particularly if it's your partner who has died. The rules can be complicated but your local JobCentre Plus office or Citizens Advice Bureau will give you all the information you need.

For information and advice

The probate service opens an overlay [will show a security message first].

For guidance specifically on dealing with probate and inheritance tax - and a good source for downloading documents

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first]

Gives practical advice relating to managing an estate with implications such as tax, trusts and benefits

Directgov Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first]

Wide-ranging advice on everything from registering a death and arranging a funeral to dealing with the estate

Citizens Advice Bureau Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first]

Free legal information and advice on a wide range of topics including what to do if a Will has not been made

The Bereavement Register Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first]

This service can help reduce the amount of direct mail being sent to the address of a person who's died

National Association of Funeral Directors Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first]

The association of independent funeral directors offering guidance on the process of arranging a funeral

Department of Work and Pensions Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first]

Information and advice on a wide range of topics including benefits and grants available. The DWP has a number of booklets you might find useful: 'What to do after a Death in England and Wales' and 'What to do after a Death in Scotland'. You can find copies at all Registry offices, your local Citizens Advice Bureau or local Jobcentre Plus office.

For emotional support

Mind opens an overlay [will show a security message first].

Provides information on bereavement Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first] , where to go for support, and suggestions for helping yourself and others through grief.

If you are struggling with difficult conversations and feel that speaking about it would help, you can  call Mind Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first]  on one of their information lines. 

Age UK Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first]

For information and advice about dealing with bereavement when someone dies and how to cope with grief

Cruse Bereavement Care Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first]

Gives you the opportunity to understand and cope with grief and provide support to other bereaved people

Samaritans Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first]

A completely confidential service available via email and telephone for anyone in any type of emotional distress

National Association of Widows Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first]

A supportive association for both men and women who have lost their partners

Child Bereavement Trust Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first]

Provides information, training and specialised support to those affected when a child or baby dies

War Widows' Association of Great Britain Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first]

A volunteer group aiming to improve the conditions of war widows and their dependants in Great Britain

Way Foundation Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first]

A national charity that supports young (under 50s) widowed men and women across the UK

Understanding our terminology

Administrator.

The person who administers an estate where there is no valid Will, or where the executor is either unable or unwilling to act. The administrator can also be referred to as the deceased's personal representative. This person is normally a family member or close friend of the deceased.

Beneficiary

A person entitled to receive funds or property under a Will or intestacy (see below).

Certificate of Registration of Death

This is for social security purposes only (form BD8).

A written amendment to a Will.

Death Certificate

A copy of the entry in the death register.

The total value of everything owned by the person when they die, less any debts.

The person(s), named in a Will, who carry out the wishes contained in that Will.

Grant of Letters of Administration

This document grants the same powers as a grant of probate and is issued to the administrator when a person dies without making a Will. It can be used to show the person(s) named has the right to access funds, sort out finances, and collect and share out the deceased person's assets as set out in the laws of intestacy HM Revenue and Customs website. This document isn't always required from organisations holding the assets so check if they need to see one and/or see general information at  The Probate Service Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first] .

Grant of Probate

An official document confirming that the Will is valid and names the executors who are legally entitled to administer the estate. It can be used to show the person(s) named has the right to access funds, sort out finances, and collect and share out the deceased's assets as set out in the Will. This document isn't always needed, so check if they need to see one and/or see general information at  The Probate Service Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first] .

Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration (applying)

The executor(s)/next of kin can apply for a 'Grant of Probate' or 'Grant of Letters of Administration' (if needed) from a section of the court known as the Probate Registry. This will only be granted when the inheritance tax on the estate has been agreed and paid. For more information on Probate visit  The Probate Service Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first] .

Grant of Representation

This is a general term that refers to the document issued by the Probate Registry - either a grant of probate, or grant of letters of administration.

Inheritance Tax

The tax paid by the estate of the deceased when the value of the estate exceeds a certain amount.

To die without having made a legal Will.

If someone dies without having made a legal Will, it is known as 'dying intestate'.

A specific gift or monetary gift made in a Will.

Next of kin

Usually the surviving spouse or children. If there's no Will, it's the responsibility of the next of kin to administer and distribute the deceased's estate according to the laws of intestacy.

Personal representative

A general term used for the executor, the administrator or the next of kin.

Probate is an official document stating that the Will is genuine. It authorises the executor to distribute the funds as specified in the Will. It's applied for at the Probate Registry and is usually arranged through a solicitor. If the executor wants to apply for Probate without using a solicitor, they can get details from the Probate Registry. There's no fixed timescale for receipt of Probate as it depends upon the amount of assets in the deceased's estate. An original or HSBC certified copy must be sent to  first direct .

Probate Registry

The public body responsible for issuing grants of probate and grants of letters of administration.

Probate loan

A short-term loan offered to executors or administrators to pay the inheritance tax which may be due before the grant of probate or a grant of letters of administration is issued.

The balance of the estate that remains after the payment of funeral and administration expenses, inheritance tax, any debts and legacies.

A legally binding document signed by a person, which states what they would like to happen to their estate when they die. This may also contain wishes about their funeral or who they want to look after any young children they may leave behind.

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10 Basic Facts About Writing a Will

There’s more to it than who will inherit your belongings.

Patricia Amend,

Preparing a will is one of the most important things you can do to put your life in order. Among other things, it will help you decide what to do with your most important stuff, which may give you peace of mind.

That said, planning for your demise isn’t pleasant, and if you haven’t taken the time to write a will , that’s not surprising. A 2022 survey by Caring.com indicates that only 33 percent of Americans have a will or living trust — and 67 percent don’t.

Why not? In the survey, about 40 percent of the respondents admitted that they hadn’t gotten around to it, 13 percent said estate planning was too expensive, and 12 percent said they didn’t know how to get a will.

You, like others, may not completely understand how a will works, why you need one and what a complicated mess you will foist upon your loved ones if you fail to leave this important document.  

For example, not only will you give up your right to say what happens to your assets, the same holds true for any minor children you may have, says Joe Fresard, an attorney at Simasko Law in Mount Clemens, Michigan. “When there is no will, there is a much better chance that there will be fighting within the family, as no one knows what your wishes really were.”

Can you write a will on your own? Possibly. But keep in mind that the laws governing wills vary state by state. The following tips describe, among other things, how wills work, why they’re so important, how to create a valid one and whether you need to consult an expert.

1. What a will does

Your last will and testament is the legal document in which you, the “testator,” declare who will manage your estate after you die and who is entitled to your possessions. That includes large items, such as your home, and smaller things with sentimental value. You can also name the guardians for minor children or other dependents.

To be valid, your will must have two witnesses and meet other criteria, as required by your state. The person you name to carry out your wishes is your “executor,” who will pay your final bills and disperse your assets to beneficiaries.

Note: Some types of property, including certain insurance policies and retirement accounts, generally aren’t covered by wills. You should have chosen beneficiaries for them. Make sure to update your beneficiaries as life changes — if you divorce, for example — as whoever is listed at the time of your passing will receive these assets.

2. If you die without one

Without a valid will, you die “intestate.” That usually means your estate will be settled based on the laws of your state, which determine who inherits what. Your estate will go through probate, the legal process of transferring the property of a deceased person to the rightful heirs.

With no will, you have no executor, so a judge will appoint an administrator to disperse your assets. It may be someone you and your family don’t know. The decision he or she makes may be contrary to your wishes and those of your heirs.

Should your will be deemed invalid for some reason, a judge will name an “administrator” to handle matters.

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3. An attorney — or not

No, you don’t need an attorney, provided your will meets the legal requirements of your state. You can write it on paper or on your computer. Just make sure to let your executor and other family members know where to find it, should you become incapacitated or die.

“A legal will is done by a person over the age of 18 with sufficient mental capacity,” Fresard says. “Signing the will in front of two witnesses, and signing within a reasonable time, makes the will legal.” 

Though you don’t need an attorney, one may help you avoid common mistakes, he adds. Also, a lawyer may be able to provide useful advice on the other documents you need, such as durable power of attorney, a living will (also known as a health care directive) and, perhaps, a living trust.

If you prefer to do it yourself, take advantage of online will services, estate planning software and bookstores and libraries with guides on the subject. Low-cost resources for estate planning are available from your city or state departments of aging and from AARP Foundation.

4. Separate wills: yours, mine and ours

Should you and your spouse have a joint will? Estate planners almost universally advise against it, and some states don’t recognize them. Your spouse isn’t likely to die at the same time, and you may have property that’s not jointly held. Separate wills make sense, even if they look similar.

Separate wills also give you the chance to consider ex-spouses and children, pets and property from a previous relationship. Otherwise, probate laws will likely favor your current spouse.

5. Choosing your witnesses

Any person can act as a witness to your will, as long as they’re “disinterested.” In other words, the person who witnesses your will should get no benefit from it.

Do you need to have your will notarized? In some states, yes. You may also want to have your witnesses sign a “self-proving affidavit,” usually in the presence of a notary. This affidavit can speed up the probate process because your witnesses likely won’t be called into court by a judge to validate their signatures and the authenticity of the will.

6. Naming an executor — or two

You can name your spouse, an adult child or a trusted friend or relative as your executor — perhaps individuals who are younger than you and in good health. If your affairs are complicated, an attorney or someone with legal or financial expertise is a better choice. Make sure that your will empowers your executor to pay your bills and deal with debt collectors. 

As you write your will, word it so it gives your executor the ability to attend to other issues related to your estate as they arise.

It’s a good idea to name two executors, in case something happens to one of them. Like your beneficiaries, you should periodically review whom you’ve chosen.

7. Leaving specific stuff to specific heirs

How do you make sure that certain heirs receive certain property? Spell that out clearly. You can create a separate “letter of instruction” that is filed with your will.

This letter, which isn’t legally binding in some states, can be written more informally than a will and can go into detail about which items go to whom. You can include important details, such as your funeral and burial instructions.

8. Keeping your will safe — and accessible

Before a probate will process your estate, it’s likely to require the presentation of your original will. So it’s important to keep this document safe, yet accessible . If you put your will in a bank safe deposit box that only you can access, your family might need to obtain a court order to retrieve it. A waterproof and fireproof safe in your house, or an online “document vault” are good alternatives. Just make sure that your executor or other relatives have the required account numbers and passwords. The same is true for all of your digital accounts.​​Your attorney or someone you trust should keep signed copies in case the original will is destroyed. Signed copies can be used to establish your intentions. The absence of an original will can complicate matters, and without it, there’s no guarantee that your estate will be settled as you wish.

9. When to update it

Get in the habit of reviewing your will every two or three years, or when a major life change has occurred — marriage, divorce, birth of a child, death of a beneficiary or executor, a significant purchase or inheritance. Also, once your minor children become adults, they won’t need guardians, unless they’re disabled.

10. Making a bulletproof will

Finally, a will can be contested — its legal validity challenged — for a number of reasons: It wasn’t properly witnessed; you weren't competent when you signed it; or it’s the result of coercion or fraud. 

A beneficiary who feels slighted by the terms of your will might choose to contest it. Depending on the state you live in, so too might a spouse, ex-spouse or child who argues your stated wishes go against probate laws. It’s usually up to a probate judge to settle any disputes. Your best defense is a clearly drafted and validly executed will.

“If you have your assets controlled by a trust, you can avoid probate entirely, and this will further protect your will from challenges,” Fresard says.

Patricia Amend has been a lifestyle writer and editor for 30 years. She was a staff writer at  Inc.  magazine; a reporter at the Fidelity Publishing Group; and a senior editor at Published Image, a financial education company that was acquired by Standard & Poor’s.

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Searching Money Mentor . . .

Best online will writers.

| Editor-at-large

Updated December 2, 2024

In this guide

If you have relatively simple financial affairs, then an online will could be a cheap and convenient option for you.

This guide looks what an online will writer is, who the service might be suitable for and lists our top picks.

In this article, we explain:

• What is an online will service?
• Who is it suitable for?
• What are the top online will writers?
• How are our ratings calculated?

Read more: Guide to wills

This article contains affiliate links that can earn us revenue *

What is an online will writing service?

Online will writing services allows those with simple financial affairs to write a legal will, quickly and simply, without the need for face-to-face meetings and expensive solicitors fees. It can offer greater peace of mind than a DIY will.

A number, such as Farewill use in-house legal experts to check over your will to ensure it’s written correctly and your wishes are clear.

Below, we cover in more detail what else the services offer, along with other online will writers that we rate highly, including Bequest, Bequeathed and Guardian Angel. Many services will also offer lasting power of attorney services.

Word of warning: an online will writer is not for everyone

An online will writing service is unlikely to be suitable if you have complicated affairs and inheritance tax issues, own your own business or you have remarried.

Online will writing services also aren’t authorised and regulated in England and Wales in the same way as solicitors.

Remember, once you have your written will, it will need to be signed and witnessed to make it legally binding.

Read more: Do I need a lawyer to make a will?

Want to watch rather than read? Tips for drawing up a will

This video lists the top tips on how to create your own will. Or alternatively, read how to write a will .

Top online will writers

Makeawillonline.co.uk

Farewill Online Will

Guardian Angel

Important information.

Some of the products promoted are from our affiliate partners from whom we receive compensation. While we aim to feature some of the best products available, we cannot review every product on the market.

Bona vacantia: what happens to unclaimed estates?

When a person dies, they generally leave their estate to their next of kin or other named heirs as part of a will. However, when there is no will and no known heirs, a fortune can go unclaimed. Known as bona vacantia, ownership of an estate that goes unclaimed is transferred to the Crown, in […]

How to get your financial affairs in order before you die

You could save your family added stress by getting your financial affairs in order before you die. But you don’t have to be dying to benefit from that. Here we explain where to start. It can take as long as a year to sort through the finances of a deceased person, tie up all their […]

Preparing for the cost of death

Losing a loved one is always difficult. But it can be even harder when the cost of death causes financial strain and concern about how the funeral will be paid for. Nobody likes to think about what will happen when they die. However, spending time thinking about its impact and doing some financial planning for […]

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• Make a Will Online Questionnaire
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Your Will in 3 Easy Steps

Start your will, single or mirror will.

If you are making a will for yourself or just one person simply select 'Single Will'.

Please note that a �Mirror Will� is not just one document but two Single Wills that mirror each other with identical wishes.

For example, if two people wish to leave everything to each other it is easier and less expensive for you to make Mirror Wills.

You can make Mirror Wills if you both wish to leave your estate to the same people such as children or nephews and nieces.

If both of you wish to leave your estate in slightly different ways, the best option is to create two Single Wills.

Simple Questionnaire

We do not confuse you with complicated forms. We ask you simple questions with straightforward multiple-choice answers or name and address entry. Based on those answers, we will then draft your will and send you the properly bound, printed legal document with full instructions for signing and witnessing. The result is that you can make the will that you want, accurately, easily and quickly. Start now to fill in the questionnaire with no obligation to buy. Alternatively, print out a paper questionnaire, complete it offline then pop it in the post.

Try for Free

You can complete the questionnaire without paying anything untill you are ready to send it to us for drafting.

Every will professionally written and checked

We take your will instructions and convert them into the correct legal format.

Thousands of satisfied customers

Writing wills since 1985 we have produced more than one hundred thousand.

Security and Peace of Mind

We use a secure SSL encrypted site for the online questionnaire to help keep your details safe and secure. You can also delete any information that you have entered into the site at any time.

Secure Storage Facility

It is normal to have your will independently stored. By taking advantage of the "Will Care Lifelong Service" you get independent storage and the facility to re-write your will at any time in the future, free of charge, as circumstances change.

Free helpline

If you have any questions or wish to discuss any aspect of making your will, you can email us or call on our freefone number and speak to one of our will writers, free of charge and without any obligation.

A legal document

Unlike some online will writers who leave you to print out your will and bind the pages together somehow, we send you the properly bound, printed legal document with full instructions for signing and witnessing.

Established in 1985, The Wills Register is one of Britain's very first specialist will writing companies. We are a top provider to Britain's financial services industry endorsed by many leading firms of Independent Financial Advisers and life insurance offices. That same professional service is now provided here online, direct to the public.

Why So Many People Have Chosen The Wills Register?

•   Simple questionnaire, complete online or by post ( more )
•   Try for Free, only pay when we draft your will ( more )
•   Every will professionally written and checked ( more )
•   Thousands of satisfied customers ( more )
•   Optional secure storage facility ( more )
•   Free helpline to assist you in completing the questionnaire ( more )
•   A low-cost service starting at just £99.00
•   A secure site for you to complete the questionnaire on ( more )
•   A 100% legal document containing clauses with decades of legal precedence ( more )

Customer Testimonials

This is something we had been meaning to do for ages but we were prompted by some neighbours asking us to witness their new wills. They recommended The Wills Register having been with them for over 20 years and had just completed an update of their wills. We found the questionnaire very easy to complete and they were very helpful when we called the telephone helpline with a query about Guardians. Our neighbours returned the compliment and acted as witnesses and the wills are now lodged with The Wills Register with a free update facility so that will encourage us to keep them up to date. John Day

My Mum had been worrying about doing a will since Dad died without leaving one which caused a lot of family arguments. She's a bit shy of computers so I printed off the questionnaire and took it round to her. To my amazement she said this looks straightforward and started filling it in there and then. She said that she had been scared of going to see a Solicitor and is so relieved that it's now out of the way, and she is not the only one! Natalie Jenkins

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