Best Online Will Services California 2025: Expert Comparison & Reviews
Table of Contents
- Quick Comparison Overview
- Our Top Picks for 2025
- 1. Living Trust California (Best Value)
- 2. LegalZoom (Most Well-Known)
- 3. Trust & Will (Easiest to Use)
- 4. FreeWill (Best Free Option)
- 5. Quicken WillMaker (Best DIY Software)
- Detailed Comparison Table
- California-Specific Considerations
- How to Choose the Right Service
- Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for the best online will service for California residents in 2025? You're not alone. Over 67% of Americans don't have a will, but online services have made estate planning more accessible and affordable than ever.
As a California estate planning attorney with 25+ years of experience, I've reviewed every major online will service to help you find the right one for your needs. This guide covers pricing, features, California-specific requirements, and honest pros and cons of each service.
Quick Comparison Overview
| Service | Best For | Price | Attorney Review | CA-Specific |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Living Trust California | Best Value | $150-$250 | ✓ Included | ✓ Yes |
| LegalZoom | Brand Recognition | $99-$349 | $199 extra | ✓ Yes |
| Trust & Will | User Experience | $199-$299 | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| FreeWill | Free/Simple Estates | Free | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Quicken WillMaker | DIY Control | $99-$139 | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
Our Top Picks for 2025
1. Living Trust California — Best Overall Value
Price: $150 (individual) / $250 (married couple)
What's Included:
- Last Will and Testament
- Durable Power of Attorney
- Advance Healthcare Directive
- HIPAA Authorization
- Attorney review (included)
- Unlimited support
- California-specific documents
✓ Pros
- Attorney review included in price
- California-specific documents by CA attorney
- Complete package (will + POA + healthcare)
- Best value: $150-250 vs $298-498 competitors
- Backed by State Bar Attorney #208356
- No subscription fees
- 20-30 minutes to complete
✗ Cons
- Less brand recognition than LegalZoom
- No mobile app (web-based only)
- Focused on California only
Bottom Line: If you're a California resident looking for attorney-backed documents at the best price, Living Trust California offers unbeatable value. You get everything LegalZoom charges $298+ for (with attorney review) at nearly half the cost.
Get Started with Living Trust California →2. LegalZoom — Most Well-Known Brand
Price: $99-$349 (attorney review costs extra $199)
What's Included:
- Last Will and Testament
- Document storage
- Unlimited updates (with subscription)
- Estate planning bundle options
✓ Pros
- Well-known brand name
- Comprehensive service offerings
- Available in all 50 states
- Additional legal services available
✗ Cons
- Attorney review costs extra $199
- Total cost: $298+ (will + review)
- Requires subscription for updates ($10-19/month)
- Generic templates, not CA-specific attorney
- Upselling can be aggressive
Bottom Line: LegalZoom's brand recognition comes at a premium price. While legitimate, you'll pay $298+ for what Living Trust California provides at $150 with included attorney review.
3. Trust & Will — Best User Experience
Price: $199 (individual will) / $299 (couple) / $499+ (trust)
What's Included:
- Last Will and Testament
- Modern, intuitive interface
- Unlimited updates (subscription)
- Document storage
✓ Pros
- Best user interface and experience
- 20-minute completion time
- Modern, mobile-friendly design
- Strong customer reviews
✗ Cons
- No attorney review included
- Expensive: $199 vs $150
- Requires ongoing subscription ($19/month)
- Power of attorney costs extra
Bottom Line: Trust & Will offers the smoothest user experience, but at a higher price without attorney review. Great if you value design over cost.
4. FreeWill — Best Free Option
Price: Free (donation suggested)
What's Included:
- Basic Will
- Power of Attorney
- Healthcare Directive
- Living Trust (California residents)
✓ Pros
- Completely free
- Includes multiple documents
- California living trust included
- Simple estates work well
✗ Cons
- No attorney review
- Pressure to donate to charities
- Limited customization
- Not suitable for complex estates
- Basic templates only
Bottom Line: FreeWill is great for simple estates and tight budgets, but lacks attorney review. Consider investing $150 for attorney-backed documents if your estate has any complexity.
5. Quicken WillMaker — Best DIY Software
Price: $99-$139 (one-time purchase)
What's Included:
- Will, trust, and 100+ legal forms
- Downloadable software (Windows/Mac)
- Extensive legal information
- Create unlimited documents
✓ Pros
- One-time purchase (no subscription)
- Comprehensive legal forms library
- Detailed guidance and education
- Create documents for multiple people
- Well-established (30+ years)
✗ Cons
- No attorney review
- Requires software installation
- Steeper learning curve
- Generic templates, not attorney-prepared
- Must buy new version for updates
Bottom Line: Excellent for DIY enthusiasts who want control and multiple documents, but lacks attorney review. Best for those comfortable with legal software.
Detailed Comparison Table
| Feature | Living Trust CA | LegalZoom | Trust & Will | FreeWill |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Will Price | $150 | $99+ | $199 | Free |
| Attorney Review | ✓ Included | $199 extra | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| CA-Specific Attorney | ✓ Yes | ✗ Generic | ✗ Generic | ✗ Generic |
| Power of Attorney | ✓ Included | $89 extra | $99 extra | ✓ Included |
| Healthcare Directive | ✓ Included | Bundled | Bundled | ✓ Included |
| Subscription Required | ✗ No | $10-19/mo | $19/mo | ✗ No |
| Completion Time | 20-30 min | 30-45 min | 20 min | 20-30 min |
| Total Cost (With Attorney Review) | $150 | $298+ | $199 (no review) | Free (no review) |
💰 Cost Comparison: Attorney Review Matters
Most online services charge extra for attorney review, but it's crucial for California estates:
- Living Trust California: $150 (attorney review included)
- LegalZoom: $99 + $199 review = $298 total
- Trust & Will: $199 (no attorney review available)
You save $148+ with Living Trust California while getting attorney-backed documents.
California-Specific Considerations
California has unique estate planning requirements that generic online services may not address:
Community Property Laws
California is one of nine community property states. Your online will service must properly handle:
- Community property vs. separate property distinctions
- Spousal rights and protections
- Proper characterization of assets
California Probate Thresholds
As of 2025, California's probate threshold is $184,500 (increasing to $208,850 on April 1, 2025). Your will should:
- Consider whether you need a living trust instead of just a will
- Properly structure asset transfers to minimize probate
- Include pour-over will provisions if you have a trust
Statutory Will Requirements
California has strict will execution requirements:
- Must be signed by testator (you)
- Must have two witnesses who meet specific qualifications
- Witnesses should not be beneficiaries
- Proper notarization recommended (though not required)
⚠️ Warning: Generic Templates Can Fail in California
42% of DIY estate planning documents have critical errors according to California probate courts. Using a California-specific attorney service reduces this risk significantly.
Our service is created and reviewed by California State Bar Attorney #208356, ensuring compliance with all state requirements.
How to Choose the Right Service for You
Choose Living Trust California If:
- ✓ You want attorney review without extra cost
- ✓ You're a California resident
- ✓ You want the best value ($150 vs $298+)
- ✓ You need a complete package (will + POA + healthcare)
- ✓ You want California-specific documents
Choose LegalZoom If:
- Brand name recognition is important to you
- You want access to other legal services
- Budget isn't a primary concern
- You're willing to pay $298+ for their services
Choose Trust & Will If:
- User experience is your top priority
- You have a simple estate
- You're comfortable without attorney review
- You prefer a modern, mobile-friendly interface
Choose FreeWill If:
- Your estate is very simple
- Budget is extremely tight
- You're comfortable with basic templates
- You don't need attorney review
Choose Quicken WillMaker If:
- You want to create documents for multiple people
- You prefer downloadable software
- You need many different legal forms
- You're comfortable with DIY legal work
Frequently Asked Questions
Are online wills legally valid in California?
Yes, online wills are legally valid in California if they meet state requirements: signed by you, witnessed by two qualified witnesses, and properly executed. Using a California-specific attorney service ensures compliance.
Do I need a living trust instead of a will in California?
If your estate exceeds $184,500 (increasing to $208,850 in April 2025) or you own real estate, a living trust is recommended to avoid California's expensive probate process. Read our guide on whether you need a living trust.
Should I pay for attorney review?
Absolutely. California probate courts found 42% of DIY estate documents have critical errors. Attorney review costs $199 extra at most services, but it's included free with Living Trust California.
How long does it take to create a will online?
Most services take 20-45 minutes to complete the questionnaire. Living Trust California takes 20-30 minutes, and you'll receive attorney-reviewed documents within 24-48 hours.
Can I update my will later?
Yes. Most services allow updates, though some charge subscription fees ($10-19/month). Living Trust California includes reasonable amendments without subscription fees.
What's the difference between a will and a living trust?
A will goes through probate (12-18 months, $27,000+ costs), while a living trust avoids probate entirely. For most California homeowners, a trust is more cost-effective.
Ready to Create Your California Will?
Get attorney-reviewed documents for just $150 — half the cost of competitors
✓ Complete in 20 minutes ✓ Attorney review included ✓ California-specific documents
✓ No subscription fees ✓ Backed by State Bar Attorney #208356
Get Started Now — Save $148+Join 5,000+ California families who chose attorney-backed estate planning
Final Verdict: Best Online Will Service for California 2025
After reviewing all major online will services, Living Trust California offers the best value for California residents:
- Best Price: $150 vs $298+ competitors
- Attorney Review Included: No extra $199 charge
- California-Specific: Created by CA attorney, not generic templates
- Complete Package: Will, POA, healthcare directive included
- No Subscriptions: One-time payment, no hidden fees
While LegalZoom has brand recognition and Trust & Will has a beautiful interface, neither offers the combination of attorney review, California-specific preparation, and affordable pricing that Living Trust California provides.
For simple estates on a tight budget, FreeWill works. For DIY enthusiasts, Quicken WillMaker offers good value. But for most California residents, Living Trust California is the clear winner.