How Much Does a Will Cost?

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A lot of people put off getting a will because they assume it’ll cost tons of money. But the truth is, your cost to get a will can range from very little (or even free) all the way up to thousands of dollars. It just depends on which route you take to make one.

Regardless of how you end up getting a will, we’re glad you’re here looking into it—because a will is one of the most important ways you can safeguard your wishes and your family.

How Much Does a Will Cost?

The cost of a will varies from free to thousands of dollars depending on whether you make your will yourself or use a lawyer. And before we go any further—yes, it’s perfectly legal to make your will without a lawyer.

So, let’s go over the different will-making options out there—plus their price ranges—so you can find the one that works for you, your family and your budget.

How Much It Costs to Make a Will on Your Own

Making a will without a lawyer is the cheapest way to make a will and can work well for some situations. There are a few routes you can go when making a will on your own. Prices vary, but tend to match the level of service and quality of the final document (in other words, you get what you pay for). 

Free Will Options

We’ll start with free options because those are definitely the most attractive. You have a couple to choose from: free will templates you can download online or a handwritten will you create entirely on your own called a holographic will.

Will templates are one-size-fits-all documents where you fill in the blanks to create your will. They can’t be customized for your situation. What you see is what you get—but yes, they’re often free. These could work, but they won’t be made in accordance with the laws of your state—so you’ll run the risk of having your will thrown out in court when it’s too late to do anything about it.

A will that you handwrite or type up yourself is a holographic will. And it’s a really appealing option since it’s also free. You just write or type your wishes and sign the piece of paper.

But holographic wills also have major drawbacks similar to templates.

Sixteen states don’t recognize these wills as legitimate, including Florida, Illinois and Georgia.^[1] Also, you’re not an estate planning expert (sorry . . . but if you’re reading this, it’s probably true). You could easily make a mistake or leave out something important. The court could throw out your will for either of these reasons and then distribute your stuff based on state laws—not your wishes.

“If it’s free, it’s for me” is a mantra you’ll hear often from Dave and other personal finance experts at Ramsey Solutions. But when it comes to wills, we actually can’t recommend the free options. Your will is a legal document that needs to hold up in court when you’re gone and unable to speak for yourself.

But don’t worry—there are still affordable, legitimate ways to get a solid will.

DIY Will Kit or Software

A DIY will kit is a package with preprinted forms that you can buy at a store for around $50 or less. It comes with a little guidance on how to fill it out, but it isn’t customizable.

Will software is basically a will template with instructions on how to fill out the form correctly and what all the fancy legal terms mean. You can find it online or at brick-and-mortar stores like Office Depot for about $80–150.

The good thing about DIY will kits and software is that they give you some guidance—so you’re less likely to make mistakes than with a holographic will. But they’re still generic. And since they’re not tailored to your state’s laws, your loved ones could find themselves fighting each other in probate court over a will that doesn’t cover everything it should.

Online Will Maker

Online wills are your best bet when it comes to making your own will. They’re affordable—around $100–300—and good online will makers tailor your will to the laws of your state. They also guide you through the process so you can rest easy knowing you didn’t miss anything.

And most online wills come with other legal documents like financial and health care power of attorney forms, living wills, or advanced health care directives. 

Just keep in mind, if you have a really large estate—like if your total net worth is $1 million or more—you may still need to work with an attorney. (You can figure out your net worth using our Net Worth Calculator.) Otherwise, an online will is usually the easiest and most affordable way to get a legally binding will. 

Of course, some online legal forms are better than others. If you’re looking for a trusted online will maker, we recommend working with Mama Bear Legal Forms.

How Much It Costs to Make a Will Through an Attorney

To get a will made by an attorney, you’ll pay anywhere from $300–3,000-plus. Yeah, that’s quite a range—especially when you add that plus on the end. But the cost of an attorney-drawn will depends on several factors, including:

• The attorney’s pricing model
• Location
• The attorney’s experience level
• The complexity of your estate

If the lawyer charges a flat fee, the average cost of a simple will is about $300. You’ll pay a higher flat fee if you have a larger, more complicated estate. In that case, your fee could be more like $1,000 or more.

If you use a lawyer who bases their fee on an amount of time, the cost will vary more. The industry standard is to charge by six-minute increments or one-tenth of an hour. The average hourly rate for an attorney is around $160–400 per hour (or $16–40 per six minutes), depending on where you live and the attorney’s experience.^[2]

Let’s say you need a simple will. In San Francisco, an experienced attorney might charge you around $300–400 an hour. But a newer lawyer or one in a smaller city like Pocatello, Idaho, will probably have a lower hourly rate—maybe closer to $150–250.

But keep in mind, an inexperienced attorney may take longer to draft the will, which could drive up the cost. And if you hire an attorney who works farther away, you have to factor into your expenses how much time you’ll spend driving to their office and taking off work to meet them. 

If your will takes longer to make—or your estate is so massive that you need a living trust—then you’re going to pay anywhere from $1,000–4,000. Again, the price varies based on the factors we just talked about.

Hiring a lawyer to write your will is the traditional way to make one, but as you can see, it’s not necessarily the most cost-effective. That said, attorneys know all about their state’s estate laws, so they can give you expert advice for your situation. And if you have a complicated estate, you just might need that.

So, be sure to shop around. Most attorneys offer a free consultation, which is a great time to interview them and make sure they’re the right fit. Ask at least three attorneys about their experience with estates like yours, and get estimates to see who offers the best value.

If you do go with an attorney, remember to stay focused. If you waste time talking about things that have nothing to do with your will, or if your will becomes more complicated than you expected, that hourly fee can really add up. It’s your job to keep the cost down by being prepared!

Hidden Costs of Making a Will

The full cost of putting a legally binding estate plan in force and maintaining it can sometimes be a little more than the up-front price for the will. Here are a few things that can add to your total.

Powers of attorney: It’s a really good idea to have both a medical and financial power of attorney. But if you go with a lawyer or some online will makers, you could have to pay extra for these.

Notarization fee: Your state laws may require you to get your will notarized. You might also choose to do this to make your will self-proving (this gives it an extra layer of legal standing).

Updates: Sometimes things change—you get married or move to a new state or someone in your will dies. Or maybe you just forgot something. If you need to make changes or update your will, there could be a fee for that service.

Which Option Is Right for You?

When it comes to choosing the right will option for you and your loved ones, cost is definitely a factor. But one thing’s more important than price: making sure your estate situation is covered correctly.

Here are some quick ways to figure out which option is right for you:

• If your estate totals less than $1 million, a simple will through an online will maker is a good choice.
• If your estate is worth $1 million or more or if you have a complex family situation, getting a lawyer to write your will is probably the best option.
• Handwritten wills and DIY will kits and software are never really a good option. They leave you wide open to mistakes and having your will thrown out in the end.

If you find yourself matching up with the first bullet point, congrats! You have the easiest path to getting a will in place. And if you’re looking for a quality will maker, we recommend Mama Bear Legal Forms.

Their will maker is attorney-built, with documents customized to the laws of your state. And their will package includes four legal documents—your will, financial and health care power of attorney forms, and an optional testamentary trust—all for one price. You can even add a mirror will for your spouse!

You can also make free changes to your will for up to six months.

So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to protect your legacy and your family’s future by having a plan. A few hundred dollars is a small price to pay for the peace of knowing your family is taken care of. Get your will today.