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.
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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.
Save Your Family $27,000-$68,000 in Probate Fees
ROI: 5,400% — The best investment you'll ever make for your family
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 $208,000 (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 $208,000 (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.
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✓ No subscription fees ✓ Backed by State Bar Attorney #208356
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Start Online - 30 Minutes →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.
Legal Review By
Rozsa Gyene, Esq.
California State Bar #208356 | Licensed Since 2000
25+ years estate planning experience in California