{"id":36633,"date":"2026-04-30T11:12:34","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T11:12:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/indafunds.com\/?p=36633"},"modified":"2026-04-30T11:12:35","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T11:12:35","slug":"how-much-does-a-will-cost","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indafunds.com\/?p=36633","title":{"rendered":"How Much Does a Will Cost?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n

\"paper\"\/<\/p>\n

\n

Save 10% on your will with the RAMSEY10<\/strong> promo code.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0\n <\/p>\n

A lot of people put off getting a will because they assume it\u2019ll 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.\n <\/p>\n

Regardless of how you end up getting a will, we\u2019re glad you\u2019re here looking into it\u2014because a will is one of the most important ways you can safeguard your wishes and your family.\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n

How Much Does a Will Cost?<\/h2>\n

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\u2014yes, it\u2019s perfectly legal to make your will without a lawyer.\n <\/p>\n

So, let\u2019s go over the different will-making options out there\u2014plus their price ranges\u2014so you can find the one that works for you, your family and your budget.\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Average Costs of Wills<\/strong>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Option<\/strong>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Cost<\/strong>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Best For<\/strong>\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Holographic Will\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Free\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Situations where you have no time to get anything else\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

DIY Will Kit or Software\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

$80\u2013150\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Pretty much no one because it\u2019ll likely be thrown out in court due to mistakes\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Online (Simple) Will\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

$100\u2013300\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Anyone with a straightforward estate worth less than $1 million\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Attorney-Drawn Will\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

$300\u20133,000+\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Anyone with a complicated estate\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

How Much It Costs to Make a Will on Your Own<\/h3>\n

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).\u00a0\n <\/p>\n

Free Will Options<\/strong><\/h4>\n

We\u2019ll 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\u00a0holographic will.\n <\/p>\n

Will templates are one-size-fits-all documents where you fill in the blanks to create your will. They can\u2019t be customized for your situation. What you see is what you get\u2014but yes, they\u2019re often free. These could work, but they won\u2019t be made in accordance with the laws of your state\u2014so you\u2019ll run the risk of having your will thrown out in court when it\u2019s too late to do anything about it.\n <\/p>\n

A will that you handwrite or type up yourself is a holographic will. And it\u2019s a really appealing option since it\u2019s also free. You just write or type your wishes and sign the piece of paper.\n <\/p>\n

But holographic wills also have major drawbacks similar to templates.\n <\/p>\n

Sixteen states don\u2019t recognize these wills as legitimate, including Florida, Illinois and Georgia.[1]<\/sup><\/sup> Also, you\u2019re not an estate planning expert (sorry . . . but if you\u2019re reading this, it\u2019s 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\u2014not your wishes.\n <\/p>\n

\u201cIf it\u2019s free, it\u2019s for me\u201d is a mantra you\u2019ll hear often from Dave and other personal finance experts at Ramsey Solutions. But when it comes to wills, we actually can\u2019t recommend the free options. Your will is a legal document that needs to hold up in court when you\u2019re gone and unable to speak for yourself.\n <\/p>\n

But don\u2019t worry\u2014there are still affordable, legitimate ways to get a solid will.\n <\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h4>\n

\u00a0\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n

Interested in learning more about estate planning?<\/h4>\n

Sign up to receive helpful guidance and tools.\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n

DIY Will Kit or Software<\/strong><\/h4>\n

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\u2019t customizable.\n <\/p>\n

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\u2013150.\n <\/p>\n

The good thing about DIY will kits and software is that they give you some<\/em> guidance\u2014so you\u2019re less likely to make mistakes than with a holographic will. But they\u2019re still generic. And since they\u2019re not tailored to your state\u2019s laws, your loved ones could find themselves fighting each other in probate court over a will that doesn\u2019t cover everything it should.\n <\/p>\n

Online Will\u00a0Maker<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Online wills\u00a0are your best bet when it comes to making your own will. They\u2019re\u00a0affordable\u2014around $100\u2013300\u2014and 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\u2019t miss anything.\n <\/p>\n

And most\u00a0online wills\u00a0come with other legal documents like\u00a0financial and health care\u00a0power of attorney\u00a0forms,\u00a0living wills,\u00a0or advanced health care directives.\u00a0\n <\/p>\n

Just keep in mind, if you have a really large estate\u2014like if your total net worth is $1 million or more\u2014you may still need to work with an attorney. (You can figure out your net worth using our\u00a0Net Worth Calculator.) Otherwise, an online will is usually the easiest and most affordable way to get a legally binding will.\u00a0\n <\/p>\n

Of course, some\u00a0online legal forms are\u00a0better than others. If you\u2019re looking for a trusted online will maker, we recommend working with Mama Bear Legal Forms.\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n

How Much It Costs to Make a Will Through an Attorney<\/h3>\n

To get a will made by an attorney, you\u2019ll pay anywhere from $300\u20133,000-plus. Yeah, that\u2019s quite a range\u2014especially when you add that plus<\/em> on the end. But the cost of an attorney-drawn will depends on several factors, including:\n <\/p>\n