Best Will Writing Software: 8 Top Options

A last will and testament are among the most important legal documents, so you must use the best will writing software to help you. Learn more?

Legal documents, such as a living will, a living trust, and a power of attorney, must be crafted carefully. Numerous estate planning documents will determine the beneficiaries of your assets when you pass away. Your last will and testament may also include a durable power of attorney, and a healthcare directive, and could even specify your desires with your life insurance. 

Even though you might want to hire an attorney to give you legal advice, you can save a lot of money if you do your own will. What are the best online will makers you should consider? You might want to consider options from Nolo, LegalZoom, and others. If you are looking for a DIY will for your heirs and minor children, you should consider several other programs too.

1. LegalZoom

Best for: Those looking for a customizable program you can complete at will.

Many people are familiar with Quicken, as it is one of the most popular tax programs available. Now, quick and has partnered with Nolo, one of the largest legal databases in the world, to provide a comprehensive will-maker and trust program. For the price above, you get dozens of estate planning documents that can help you establish a trust, specify a healthcare directive with HIPAA authorization, and even create a financial power of attorney. 

Best for: Those who don’t want to spend any money.

Plenty of programs will do your will for you for free, but you need to ensure your information is protected and that the document is legally binding. If you are looking for a comprehensive free program, you may want to check out doyourownwill.com.

You can access living will forms, power of attorney forms, and guardianship forms for free. Because the program is free, you also don’t have to worry about running into time limits. Of course, the program won’t do everything for you, but it is one of the best free options available.

Best for: Those who are looking for a program that can do everything.

If you are looking for a program that can do more than handle simple estate planning, then you’ll definitely want to choose TotalLegal. This program is mainly used for business formation and can handle almost every legal document available. Even though it can be expensive, you can access every document you require. You can even purchase the subscription package that gives you access to legal professionals who can walk you through the process.

Best for: Those looking for a program that saves time.

Even though this is one of the newer options available, it comes with a wide variety of resources, making it one of the top options on the market. If you are looking for a program that gives you the best value for your money, consider Trust & Will. You can craft a living will in as little as 15 minutes, and the program will even mail your final documents for free. You can use the program to craft a HIPAA authorization concordance with state law and specify a general power of attorney. 

Best for: Those looking for a simple program that is easy to use.

Willing has become a popular program because it is so easy to use. The program doesn’t come with a lot of customizable options, but it has a sleek, straightforward design that makes it easy to craft your will.

If you are tired of spending hours on end trying to figure out how to structure a will, then you’ll want to try this program. It can help you create a revocable living trust, a living will, and a durable power of attorney. It doesn’t include medical directive documents, but it is ideal for people who are averse to technology and easily overwhelmed by a lot of features.

Best for: Those looking for legal consultations.

If you are looking for an estate planning lawyer who can walk you through the process, then you should check out RocketLawyer. This is a program that can cover just about anything, which includes 30-minute consultations in the base price. With this program, you also get access to secure cloud storage. Even though the price can be expensive, you have access to a lawyer every step of the way. That way, you can make sure you do everything appropriately.

Best for: Those who anticipate making changes to the will.

Most people do not craft a will with the intention of making changes; however, your circumstances can change over time. Therefore, Tomorrow is there for you. This is a program that will walk you through the process of updating your will. If you need to make a change or update your documents, the program can handle this free of charge.

Using the program, you can change guardianship specifications, fill out your advance directive, handle medical consent forms, and go through the process of creating a revocable living trust. Dozens of attorneys across the country designed this program, and there is also a mobile app that works well on Android and iOS devices.

Best for: Those who want to donate to charity when they pass away.

If you want to give away most of your assets when you pass on, you should check out FreeWill. The program was made by hundreds of nonprofit organizations who all had input into its final design. The goal is to make it as easy as possible for you to handle donations with your assets. It’s a comprehensive tool, can help you create a living will, and give you access to stop donation forms that are valid in every state. You can also change your will at any time without having to start from scratch completely. 

Selection Criteria

Regardless of whether you are writing a simple will or a customized estate plan that will specify everything for your loved ones, you need to find the right software program. Some of the criteria we consider during our search include:

• Value for Money: Even though you might be looking for a free online will, you should still expect to spend some money if you want the best program available. One of the most important criteria we consider is the value you get for your money. Are the features contained in the program worth the price? 
• Ease of Use: The easier the program is to use, the better it is. Can it handle state-specific issues? Are there templates that can make it more user-friendly? Does it work well on Mac and PC or Windows products? What about iOS and Android products?
• Customization Features: Finally, we also considered whether you could tailor the program to meet your needs. Is the online service flexible? Can it handle people from different backgrounds? Does it do both Canada and U.S. legal wills? Can it help with real estate? 

Why You Can Trust Me

There are several reasons why you can trust these reviews. They include:

• All of the programs have been personally tried and tested.
• Lawyers provided their opinions on these programs as well.
• Information was also compiled from countless vetted online reviews.

Consider using one of these programs to help you create your living will and testament. 

Final Word on Best Will Writing Software

It can be difficult to find the right will-making service, particularly if you need to have a notary involved, but many of these programs will walk you through the process step by step. If you have a complex estate, you may be looking for a program with a cheap 12-month subscription.

Or, if you are looking for a program that can help you handle an affidavit or two, then you may want to pay a flat fee. Customer support is important during the estate planning process, so compare these options’ benefits and drawbacks before making a final decision. If you like this article, check out our guide to the best writing apps.

FAQ About Best Will Writing Software