Make a will
How to make a will online, for free
Six steps and about 20 minutes. Most people with a simple estate don't need a lawyer. What matters is signing it the way your state requires, so choose your state below to see the rules.
Short answer
Decide who inherits and who will be in charge, write the will (our builder is free), then sign it in front of two adult witnesses who receive nothing under it. In most states you can also sign a notarized self-proving affidavit so the court won't need your witnesses later. A will made online is as valid as one drafted by a lawyer if it's signed correctly.
1. Take stock of what you own
List your home, bank and investment accounts, vehicles and valuables. Then note what already passes outside a will: retirement accounts and life insurance with a named beneficiary, payable-on-death bank accounts, property you own jointly, and anything in a living trust. Your will controls the rest.
2. Decide who inherits
Most people leave everything to a spouse, then to their children equally. Name a backup for every gift. If you'd like, leave a share to causes you care about; a percentage keeps your family's share in proportion as your estate changes. How to leave money to charity in your will.
3. Choose your executor and guardian
Your executor pays debts and carries out your will; ask them first, and name a backup. If you have children under 18, name a guardian to raise them and, if you like, someone to manage the money they inherit.
4. Write it
Our free builder asks plain questions and writes the will from your answers, with a plain-English summary of who inherits and a checklist for signing. It runs in your browser, so your answers stay on your device. You can also ask an AI assistant to do it with you: connect MyLastWill to Claude, ChatGPT or Grok.
5. Sign it the way your state requires
In most states, you sign in front of two adult witnesses, who then sign while you watch. Choose witnesses who inherit nothing. Most states also let you and your witnesses sign a self-proving affidavit in front of a notary. Rules differ, so check your state. What makes a will valid.
6. Store it and keep it current
Keep the signed original somewhere safe and tell your executor where it is. Review it every few years and after a marriage, divorce, birth, death or move. To change it, sign a new will or a codicil the same way.
Can I sign or notarize my will online?
Only in some states. As of October 2026, 15 states and D.C. allow electronic wills, and about 20 jurisdictions let witnesses join by live video under strict conditions, often through an online notary or a supervising attorney. Elsewhere, sign on paper with witnesses present. Signing a will online, state by state.
What does it cost?
| Option | Typical cost | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| MyLastWill | Free | Simple wills, adding a charitable gift, naming charities on accounts |
| Paid online will services | About $99 to $249 for a will | People who want extra document types or support |
| Estate attorney | Varies by state and complexity | Large estates, businesses, blended families, trusts and private foundations |
Online prices as published by LegalZoom, Trust & Will and Quicken WillMaker in 2026.
By state
How to make a will in your state
Witnesses, notarization, handwritten and electronic wills, and estate taxes, with links to each state's law.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Common questions
Do I need a lawyer to make a will?
No. No state requires a lawyer to write a will. What matters is that you sign it the way your state requires, usually in front of two adult witnesses. A lawyer is worth it for large or complicated estates, a family business, a blended family, or a special-needs trust.
Is a will I make online legally valid?
Yes, if you sign it the way your state requires. Courts don't care who drafted a will or what software was used; they care that it was signed correctly by an adult of sound mind, usually in front of two witnesses.
Does a will need to be notarized?
In most states, no. Witnesses make a will valid; a notary is used for the optional self-proving affidavit, which lets the court accept the will without contacting your witnesses. A few states, such as Colorado and North Dakota, also let you acknowledge a will before a notary instead of using witnesses.
Can I make a will without witnesses?
In about half the states, a will written and signed entirely in your own handwriting (a holographic will) is valid without witnesses. A typed or printed will almost always needs witnesses. Handwritten wills are often challenged, so a witnessed will is safer.
Can I sign my will online?
Only in some states. Fifteen states and D.C., including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Nevada, Utah and Washington, allow electronic wills, and about 20 jurisdictions let witnesses join by video under strict conditions. Everywhere else, print your will and sign it with witnesses present.
How much does it cost to make a will?
MyLastWill is free. Paid online services charge about $99 to $249 for a will, and an attorney's fee depends on your state and how complex your estate is. Notarizing a self-proving affidavit usually costs a few dollars to about $25.
What happens if I die without a will?
Your state's intestacy law decides who inherits, usually your spouse and children, then parents, siblings and more distant relatives. A court appoints an administrator and, if needed, a guardian for your children. If no relatives can be found, your property goes to the state.
Where should I keep my will?
Keep the signed original somewhere safe that your executor can reach, such as a fireproof box at home or with your attorney. Some states also let you deposit your will with the probate court for safekeeping. Tell your executor where it is.
Fifteen minutes today. Generations of good.
Write your will, choose your causes, and print it for signing. It's free, and your answers stay on your device.
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