LegalZoom’s last will service costs $99-$249 depending on the plan you choose. It’s legitimate, state-specific, and much cheaper than hiring an attorney ($300-$1,500). But there are important limitations you should know about before you buy—especially if you have a complex family situation or significant assets. Here’s everything LegalZoom won’t tell you on their sales page.
LegalZoom Last Will: Quick Summary
What it costs: $99 for Basic Will, $249 for Premium Will with attorney review
What you get: A state-specific last will and testament, plus financial power of attorney, healthcare directive, and HIPAA authorization
How long it takes: About 15-30 minutes to complete the questionnaire
Is it legitimate? Yes—LegalZoom wills are legally valid in all 50 states if properly signed and witnessed
Who it’s best for: People with straightforward estates, no complicated family situations, and basic distribution wishes
Who should skip it: Anyone with blended families, special needs beneficiaries, business ownership, large estates, or complex tax situations
What Is LegalZoom’s Last Will Service?
LegalZoom is an online legal document service that’s been around since 2001. They help people create legal documents without hiring an attorney. Their last will and testament service walks you through a questionnaire, then generates a customized, state-specific will based on your answers.
Here’s what happens when you use LegalZoom to make a will:
- Answer questions about yourself, your assets, your beneficiaries, and your wishes
- LegalZoom generates your documents based on your state’s specific requirements
- Download or receive printed copies of your will and related documents
- Sign and witness your will following the instructions for your state
Important: Your will isn’t legally valid until you sign it with witnesses present. LegalZoom creates the document, but you’re responsible for executing it properly.
LegalZoom Last Will Pricing (2025)
LegalZoom offers several pricing tiers for their last will service. Here’s exactly what each one includes:
Basic Last Will — $99 Individual / $199 Couples
What’s included:
- State-specific last will and testament
- Financial power of attorney
- Healthcare directive (living will)
- HIPAA authorization
- Digital download of documents
- 30 days of free revisions
- One printed copy mailed to you
Premium Last Will — $249 Individual / $349 Couples
Everything in Basic, plus:
- Attorney review of your documents before signing
- One year of unlimited 30-minute attorney consultations
- One year of free revisions
Hidden Costs to Watch For
LegalZoom doesn’t always make these clear upfront:
- Revisions after 30 days: $29.95 each — If your life changes and you need to update your will
- Additional printed copies: $10+ — They only include one set
- Rush processing: $20 — For same-day document access
- Auto-renewal risk: Some plans auto-renew at $199/year unless you cancel—read the fine print
LegalZoom vs. Other Ways to Make a Will
Is LegalZoom worth it? That depends on what you’re comparing it to:
LegalZoom vs. Hiring an Attorney
- Estate planning attorney: $300-$1,500 for a simple will, $2,000-$5,000+ for complex estates
- LegalZoom: $99-$249
The verdict: LegalZoom saves significant money for simple estates. But if you have a complex situation (blended family, business ownership, special needs beneficiaries, significant assets), the money you save might cost you more in the long run if your will gets contested or doesn’t accomplish what you intended.
LegalZoom vs. Other Online Will Services
- FreeWill: $0 (free, partners with nonprofits)
- Trust & Will: $199 individual / $299 couples
- Nolo Quicken WillMaker: $101+
- Rocket Lawyer: Free 7-day trial, then $239.88/year
The verdict: LegalZoom isn’t the cheapest option. FreeWill is literally free. But LegalZoom has been around longer, offers attorney access, and includes additional documents (POA, healthcare directive) in their base price that others charge extra for.
What Documents Does LegalZoom’s Will Package Include?
When you purchase a LegalZoom will package, you actually get four documents:
1. Last Will and Testament
The main document that specifies who gets your assets when you die, who becomes guardian of your minor children, and who serves as executor of your estate.
2. Financial Power of Attorney
Designates someone to make financial decisions for you if you become incapacitated. This is separate from your will—it takes effect while you’re alive but unable to manage your own affairs.
3. Healthcare Directive (Living Will)
Specifies your wishes for medical treatment if you’re unable to communicate. This includes decisions about life support, feeding tubes, and other end-of-life care.
4. HIPAA Authorization
Allows specific people to access your medical records. Without this, healthcare providers can’t share your medical information with family members due to privacy laws.
LegalZoom Last Will: The Pros
1. Much Cheaper Than an Attorney
For straightforward situations, paying $99-$249 beats $500-$1,500 for an attorney. If your estate is simple—everything goes to your spouse, then to your kids—LegalZoom gets the job done.
2. State-Specific Documents
Will requirements vary by state. LegalZoom creates documents that comply with your specific state’s laws, including proper witness requirements and legal language.
3. Easy to Complete
The questionnaire walks you through everything step by step. Most people finish in 15-30 minutes. You don’t need any legal knowledge.
4. Bundled Documents
You get four important documents in one package: the will itself, financial POA, healthcare directive, and HIPAA authorization. These are all documents every adult should have.
5. Attorney Access Available
The Premium plan includes attorney review and consultations. This hybrid approach—DIY document creation plus professional review—can catch errors that could cause problems later.
6. Secure Document Storage
LegalZoom stores your documents in their secure online system. You can access them anytime, and your executor will be able to find them when needed.
LegalZoom Last Will: The Cons (What They Don’t Tell You)
1. No Personalized Legal Advice (Basic Plan)
The Basic plan doesn’t include any attorney input. You’re answering a questionnaire and getting a computer-generated document. If you make a mistake or misunderstand a question, nobody’s there to catch it.
2. Not Suitable for Complex Situations
LegalZoom’s questionnaire can’t handle every situation. If you have:
- A blended family with children from multiple marriages
- Beneficiaries with special needs who receive government benefits
- Business ownership interests
- Property in multiple states
- Significant assets that might trigger estate taxes
- Estranged family members you want to disinherit
…you should probably work with an estate planning attorney instead.
3. Revisions Cost Extra After 30 Days
Life changes. You have another child, get divorced, move to a new state, or your chosen executor dies. With LegalZoom’s Basic plan, updating your will after 30 days costs $29.95 each time. Those costs add up over a lifetime.
4. Mixed Customer Service Reviews
LegalZoom has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, but customer reviews are mixed. Common complaints include difficulty reaching customer service and confusion about what’s included in different plans. The Premium plan’s “unlimited attorney consultations” have some fine print—one call per legal issue, and certain topics (taxes, business matters) aren’t covered.
5. You Still Need to Execute It Properly
LegalZoom creates the document, but you’re responsible for signing it correctly with witnesses (and notarization in some states). If you mess this up, your will could be invalid. LegalZoom provides instructions, but they can’t be there to make sure you follow them.
6. May Not Hold Up If Contested
If angry family members challenge your will in court, a LegalZoom document may be harder to defend than one prepared by an attorney who can testify about your mental state and intentions when you signed it. For most families this isn’t an issue, but if you anticipate disputes, professional help is worth the cost.
Who Should Use LegalZoom for Their Will?
LegalZoom is a good fit if:
- Your estate plan is straightforward (everything to spouse, then to kids)
- You don’t have complicated family dynamics
- Your assets are relatively simple (home, retirement accounts, bank accounts)
- You’re comfortable following detailed instructions to execute your will properly
- Having something is better than having nothing (which is true—68% of Americans don’t have a will)
Consider an attorney instead if: You have a blended family, special needs beneficiaries, business interests, property in multiple states, potential estate tax issues, or expect family members to contest your wishes.
Making Your LegalZoom Will Legally Valid
Creating the document is only half the battle. To make your will legally valid, you need to execute it properly. Here’s what that involves:
Signing Requirements (Vary by State)
Most states require:
- You must sign the will in front of witnesses
- You need 2 witnesses (3 in some states) who are not beneficiaries
- Witnesses must be of legal age (18+ in most states)
- All parties should sign on the same day, in each other’s presence
Notarization: Required in Some States
Some states require wills to be notarized. Others don’t require it but allow a “self-proving affidavit”—a notarized statement attached to your will that makes probate easier by eliminating the need to track down witnesses later.
Even if your state doesn’t require notarization for the will itself, the accompanying documents (power of attorney, healthcare directive) often DO need to be notarized to be valid.
Get Your Will Documents Notarized with BlueNotary
Once LegalZoom generates your documents, you may need to get some of them notarized. This includes the self-proving affidavit for your will and typically the power of attorney and healthcare directive.
BlueNotary offers online notarization that lets you complete this step from home—no need to find a notary at a bank or shipping store.
With BlueNotary:
- Connect with a licensed notary over video call
- Get your power of attorney, healthcare directive, and will affidavit notarized
- Complete the process in about 15 minutes
- Available 24/7—notarize on your schedule
Need to notarize your estate planning documents? Visit BlueNotary.us to get started.
How to Create a Will with LegalZoom: Step by Step
- Go to LegalZoom.com and select “Last Will and Testament” under Estate Planning
- Answer the questionnaire — This covers your personal info, assets, beneficiaries, guardians for children, and executor
- Choose your plan — Basic ($99) or Premium ($249)
- Pay and receive your documents — Download immediately or wait for printed copies
- Review everything carefully — Make sure names, addresses, and wishes are correct
- Gather your witnesses — Two adults who aren’t beneficiaries
- Sign in front of witnesses — Follow your state’s specific instructions
- Get notarized if required — For the self-proving affidavit and/or POA documents
- Store safely and tell your executor — They need to know where to find it
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a LegalZoom will legally valid?
Yes, LegalZoom wills are legally valid in all 50 states—but only if you execute them properly. You must sign with the required number of witnesses and follow your state’s specific requirements. The document itself is legally sound; the execution is your responsibility.
How much does a LegalZoom will cost?
Basic Will: $99 individual / $199 couples. Premium Will (with attorney review): $249 individual / $349 couples. Additional charges may apply for revisions after 30 days ($29.95), extra printed copies ($10+), and rush processing ($20).
What’s included in a LegalZoom will package?
Four documents: last will and testament, financial power of attorney, healthcare directive (living will), and HIPAA authorization. Premium plans also include attorney review and consultations.
Does a LegalZoom will need to be notarized?
It depends on your state. Most states don’t require will notarization, but many allow (or prefer) a notarized “self-proving affidavit” that makes probate easier. The power of attorney and healthcare directive often DO require notarization.
Can I update my LegalZoom will later?
Yes. The Basic plan includes 30 days of free revisions. After that, updates cost $29.95 each. The Premium plan includes one year of free revisions. You should update your will whenever major life events occur (marriage, divorce, birth of children, death of beneficiaries).
Is LegalZoom better than hiring an attorney?
For simple estates, LegalZoom is much more affordable and gets the job done. For complex situations (blended families, special needs beneficiaries, business ownership, large estates), an attorney provides personalized advice that’s worth the extra cost.
What happens if I die without a will?
Your state’s “intestacy laws” determine who gets your assets—usually spouse and children in predetermined percentages. The court appoints someone to manage your estate. You have no say in who raises your minor children. The process typically takes longer and costs more than if you had a will.
How long does it take to make a will with LegalZoom?
The questionnaire takes about 15-30 minutes. You can download your documents immediately after payment. Add time for proper execution (gathering witnesses, getting notarized if required).
The Bottom Line: Is LegalZoom Worth It for Your Will?
LegalZoom’s last will service is a legitimate, affordable option for people with straightforward estate planning needs. At $99-$249, it’s a fraction of what attorneys charge, and it includes important documents beyond just the will itself.
That said, it’s not for everyone. If your situation is complicated—blended family, special needs beneficiaries, business interests, or potential family disputes—spend the extra money on an attorney. The cost of getting it wrong (contested wills, unintended distributions, invalid documents) far exceeds the cost of doing it right the first time.
For everyone else: having a LegalZoom will is infinitely better than having no will at all. Only 32% of Americans have a will, which means 68% are leaving their families to deal with probate court and state intestacy laws. If LegalZoom is what gets you to finally create a will, that’s a win.
Remember: Creating the document is just step one. Make sure you execute it properly with witnesses, get required documents notarized, store it safely, and tell your executor where to find it.
Need to notarize your estate planning documents after creating them? BlueNotary offers convenient online notarization from home.
