Originally published: February 3, 2015 | Last updated: July 28, 2025
TL;DR: The cost of a Will ranges from $0 to $2,000+. Free or cheap blank-form templates ($0–$5) produce inadequate documents that are likely to fail. Estate planning lawyers charge $600–$2,000 for a standard Will, but most use the same type of software as online services. USLegalWills.com charges $49.95 and produces a Will that is word-for-word identical to a lawyer-drafted document. The difference is access: we give you direct access to professional Will-preparation software at a fraction of the cost.
How Much Does a Will Actually Cost?
The price of creating a Will depends heavily on the method which you choose to make it. Here is the full pricing spectrum:
| Method | Cost | Quality | Legal Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free download / blank form | $0–$5 | Poor – blank template with no guidance | Technically legal if signed, but likely to fail in practice |
| Online interactive service (USLegalWills.com) | $49.95 | Professional – identical to lawyer-drafted Will | Fully legal, state-specific, with error checking |
| Estate planning lawyer | $600–$2,000+ | Professional – uses the same software | Fully legal, includes optional legal advice |
USLegalWills.com encounters a continuous problem because we need to explain how our $49.95 Wills function identically to $800 Wills but our service stands apart from websites which offer free or inexpensive downloadable Wills.
What Is Wrong with Free or $5 Will Templates?
The legal field maintains that Will quality depends entirely on the amount you spend for it although we agree with this view to some degree.
The law recognizes a Will when someone signs these documents with two witnesses standing by to watch the process. But will it actually work? A well-drafted Will is typically 5-6 pages and includes:
- Backup appointments for Executor, guardians, and beneficiaries
- Alternate distribution plans in case your entire family is involved in a common accident
- The trust provisions for minor beneficiaries need you to select a trustee who will follow specific trust rules.
- The Executor holds three main powers which let them invest assets before distribution.
- The residual estate clauses function as protective measures which secure all assets that do not have their own specific references.
A blank template reveals its complete uselessness to me when I read a properly written Will.
Why Do Lawyers Charge So Much for a Will?
Lawyers do not have any established pricing system which they follow when they create Wills.
How Do Lawyers Actually Create Wills?
Lawyers do not type up your Will from scratch on a blank piece of paper, crafting complex legal clauses from their training.
Law offices tend to have office clerks who operate this software to create Wills.
What Is the Hidden Cost of Using a Lawyer?
Warning: Be cautious of estate planning lawyers who prepare your Will for under $250.
- A percentage of the total estate value
- An hourly billing rate
- Some lawyers charge both, which is unconscionable
The actual expenses for obtaining a Will become more than $10,000 because the state requires executor fees which will reduce your estate value after you die.
What Does USLegalWills.com Offer for $49.95?
At $49.95, USLegalWills.com produces a Will that is word-for-word identical to what a lawyer would generate.
Our software allows lawyers to create Wills through the same program which we use to deliver our services to you.
What Does the $49.95 Include?
- State-specific document – customized for the laws of your jurisdiction
- The service scans your choices to identify errors which it flags during the validation process.
- Free updates – modify your Will at any time through your online account
- Customer support – North America-based team that responds to emails within the hour and answers all calls
- Ongoing legal compliance – the service is continuously updated to reflect changes in state and federal law
- Additional tools – access to MyLifeLocker (executor tool), MyMessages, and the KeyHolder™ mechanism
The service through our system received approval from estate planning attorneys who reviewed each path in the system.
Cost of a Will: Complete Comparison
| Feature | Free Template | USLegalWills.com | Estate Planning Lawyer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $0–$5 | $49.95 | $600–$2,000+ |
| State-specific | No | Yes | Yes |
| Backup appointments | No | Yes | Yes |
| Minor trusts | No | Yes | Yes |
| Error checking | No | Yes | Yes |
| Free updates | N/A | Yes | No — $800+ per update |
| Legal advice | No | No | Yes |
| Convenience | Download only | From home, anytime | Office appointment required |
The Bottom Line
USLegalWills.com operates with a clear objective which states that everyone should access Will creation services.
Prepare your Will today at USLegalWills.com.
Related Reading
- The price of creating a Will varies widely between different service providers.
- Lawyers offer ten absurd warnings about online Will service platforms.
- A Simple Will – How Much Should I Pay?
- Comparing LegalZoom with USLegalWills
- The Online Will
He has over 20 years of experience helping people to write their Will and other estate planning documents. He has been interviewed by many of the major news media outlets, and has contributed to articles in The New York Times, NY Metro Parents, U.S. News & World Report, and other leading publications. He has also contributed to a number of financial planning books.
Throughout his career, Tim has written extensively on the subject of Will writing and estate planning.
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