Should you use a will template to make your last will and testament?

Estate planning can be a delicate, complicated subject, and many people believe that it’s best left in the hands of an estate attorney. Despite what you may have heard, however, you can make a last will and testament without a lawyer. Last will and testament forms and templates are an affordable, simple, and accessible way to make your will.

Is a will made with a will template considered legal?

Whether you write your will on your own or get help from a lawyer, your will must meet certain criteria to be considered legal. For your will to be valid, you must:

• Be of sound mind when you write it, and not under pressure or influence from someone else
• Clearly state your wishes, in writing, for the distribution of your assets and care for your minor children, if you have them
• Have a physical copy of your will, and sign it in front of witnesses
• Have witnesses sign your will according to the laws in your state

Do-it-yourself wills that are written following the steps above are just as valid as wills prepared by a lawyer.

What types of will templates are available?

There are many different types of will forms for you to choose from. With so many options on the market, it’s important to read the fine print and understand what you’re signing up for. Here are a couple options, from free to more expensive:

• A free online will-maker, like FreeWill. FreeWill is one of the only free will-makers on the market, thanks to the support of our nonprofit partners. Our will forms are easy to follow, customized to you, and include instructions to make your will legally-valid based on the state where you live. Beware of other online will providers that promise “free” will forms in exchange for your participation in phone calls or life insurance pitches.
• Blank will forms, which you print and fill out. These are a type of holographic (or handwritten) will. Estate attorneys don’t recommend holographic wills, because not all states accept them and they can be difficult to prove. You also can’t customize generic will templates to your unique situation, which makes them less flexible than other options.
• Do-it-yourself will kits that you can purchase from retailers like Amazon and Staples. These usually run around $15-50. But just like the blank will forms you might find on the internet, these DIY will kits are often difficult to customize and don’t provide you with any help or support.
• Paid online will providers. These providers will charge you a fee to create your will documents. If you need to make changes to your will in the future, they often charge for these edits as well. These one-time will forms can cost upwards of $100, but they’re often more affordable than hiring a lawyer to create your last will and testament.

What makes a good will template?

A good will form should help you create a valid legal document that clearly outlines your wishes for your estate. It should be:

• Easy to understand and follow.
• Customizable to your needs and situation. For example, a good will template should prompt you with certain questions if you are married, or have children or pets.
• Secure. If you’re using an online will-maker, your data should be encrypted and safely stored. The platform you’re using shouldn’t sell your data to other companies without your consent.
• Includes instructions for how to make your will legally valid. This includes how to print, sign, witness, and store your will for safekeeping. If you use FreeWill to create your will, we include witnessing instructions specific to the state where you live.

When you might need more than a will template

A last will and testament created from a will template generally provides enough coverage for most people with simple estates. However, there are some instances where a simple will template might not meet your needs. Some examples include if you:

• Own a business
• Own property in multiple states
• Own a lot of assets
• Have a difficult family situation (such as an estranged family member) and/or think someone might contest your will after you pass away
• Don’t want to manage and update your will on your own

If any of these describe your situation, you could consider establishing a trust or working with an estate attorney instead.

Even if you decide to use a lawyer to write your will, you can use an online will-maker to prep your will documents. Gathering a list of your assets is a good starting point that can save you time and potentially lower your attorney fees.

Is a will template right for you?

At the end of the day, will templates and forms can make estate planning simple, affordable, and accessible to everyone. If you decide to use a template to make your will, choose one that’s easy for you to use and understand. And if you ever have any questions, you can always take it to an attorney.

Ready to make your will today? It takes most FreeWill users just 20 minutes to create their free, legally-valid will.

Still not sure if a will template is right for you? Read about the pros and cons of a do-it-yourself will.