What is LegalZoom’s will maker service?
LegalZoom Will Maker is an online estate planning service that offers an online will template and dozens of DIY legal services. The will service stands out for its state-specific legal advice, which is included with certain plans or can be purchased monthly or annually for an added fee.
LegalZoom’s independent attorneys are available in all 50 states, but the company only includes living will and financial power of attorney documents with its highest-priced will plan; living trust documents are sold separately. Though its document bundles aren’t as all-inclusive as some other online will services such as Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker and Trust & Will, LegalZoom is still a great choice for its affordable attorney access.
Deciding factors
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One-time fees:
Recurring fees:
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Last will and testament |
Included in all plans. |
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Living will |
Included in Estate Plan bundle only. |
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Power of attorney |
Financial POA (not medical) included only in Estate Plan bundle. Health care power of attorney starts at $39. |
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Revocable living trust |
Sold separately; starts at $279. |
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Access to live attorney |
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Customer service |
Customer support is available via phone Monday through Friday 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. PT and weekends 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT. Support receives 4.6 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. |
What LegalZoom’s will maker looks like
LegalZoom’s online will maker uses a five-step questionnaire covering names, gifts, representatives and special considerations, all of which you’ll fill out before you purchase. After purchasing, you’ll be able to download and print the completed documents.
LegalZoom’s will maker benefits
State-specific attorney access
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Attorneys are available for consultation in all 50 states.
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Access to legal advice is $25 per month with the Comprehensive plan and $199 per year with the Estate Plan Bundle.
LegalZoom’s will maker drawbacks
Pricier than other options
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Plan fees are high compared to some other online will makers, some of which are free.
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Lowest-priced plan only includes a basic will, with no additional documents or attorney support.
No trust documents included
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None of LegalZoom’s will plans include a revocable living trust; you’ll have to purchase it separately. Prices start at $279.
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Other online will makers bundle trusts and wills in the same plan, such as Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker, which includes both for $139.
Alternatives to LegalZoom’s will maker
Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker: Best all-inclusive
One-time fees:
Recurring fees:
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$99 per year for Starter plan.
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$139 per year for Plus plan.
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$209 per year for All Access plan.
Why we like it: Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker includes dozens of estate planning documents, depending on which plan you choose. All three annual plans help you craft a will with a straightforward questionnaire. available online or as downloadable software. However, the service doesn’t provide documents valid in Louisiana or U.S. territories, and unlike LegalZoom, there’s no access to live attorney support.
Pricing
One-time fees:
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Will plan: $159 per individual or $259 for couples.
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Trust plan: $599 for individuals or $699 for couples (includes all documents in Will plan plus a revocable living trust).
Recurring fees:
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$19 annual membership fee for Will plan.
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$39 annual membership fee for Trust plan.
Why we like it: Trust & Will offers a year of legal support for about the same price as LegalZoom. A one-time purchase includes HIPAA authorization, living will and power of attorney documents, and all documents also ship free for first-time users with state-specific notarization instructions.
Rocket Lawyer: Best customer service
One-time fees:
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$0. Free will template.
Recurring fees:
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$39.99 per month for legal support and the ability to make changes to your documents.
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$239.99 if billed annually.
Why we like it: Rocket Lawyer’s will maker service prioritizes access to legal assistance (lawyers can be contacted via phone, email or online chat). You get access to a 30-minute lawyer consultation, though you’ll need to continue paying the monthly membership fee to make changes to your documents later.
This post was originally published on Nerd Wallet
