How Much Does a Will Cost?
Compare will costs across providers. Includes document purchase, annual subscriptions, life event fees, and probate costs your heirs will pay.
Will costs vary by provider type and state. Free templates and SimplyTrust's Last Will and Testament form sit at the bottom of the range. Online legal services charge a flat fee of $0 to $299. Attorneys charge $273 to $462 per hour for wills and estates depending on the state, putting a simple will anywhere from $819 to $2,772. The biggest variables are state attorney rates, the complexity of your estate, and whether amendments are included.
Two reasons. First, attorney rates differ widely — the same basic will costs far more in some markets than others. Second, witness and notarization requirements differ. Most states require two witnesses, a few accept handwritten (holographic) wills with no witnesses, and some now recognize remote online notarization. The calculator pulls state-specific attorney rates from the Clio Compare Lawyer Rates survey. To estimate what your heirs pay later at probate, see our probate cost calculator.
For smaller estates, a will may be more affordable upfront. For estates over $100,000, a trust often saves money overall by avoiding probate. Use our Trust vs. Will comparison to see which is right for your situation, or compare trust costs with our Trust Cost Calculator.
At the low end, free templates and SimplyTrust's form give you a state-compliant document with execution instructions but no review. Online legal services typically include some guidance, witness and notarization help, and a year of amendments. Attorney-drafted wills include personalized review, complex provisions like special needs trusts or conditional gifts, and direct guidance — but you typically pay again for amendments. The calculator shows actual pricing for each provider type.
No. All wills must go through probate court to be validated and executed. Only a living trust can avoid probate. However, some states have simplified probate for smaller estates. Use our Do I Need a Trust? tool to see if a trust makes sense for your situation, or build a revocable trust online through SimplyTrust.
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Learn moreForms for Planning Your Estate
Free forms for planning your estate: a will, living trust, pour-over will, both powers of attorney, living will, and TOD deed.
Last Will and Testament
Name your heirs, guardians, and final wishes. Free for every state.
Transfer on Death Deed
Transfer real property to a beneficiary upon your death without probate. Available in 34 states and the District of Columbia.
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Free tools for planning your estate: what a will or trust costs, whether you need a trust or TOD deed, and how documents are signed.
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