By Rozsa Gyene, Esq. | CA Bar #208356 | Last Updated: April 2026
How much does a LegalZoom will cost in 2026? LegalZoom offers two will plans: a Basic will for $89 (software-generated, no attorney review) and a Premium will for $199 (includes a 30-minute attorney consultation). But before you purchase a will from any service, California residents need to understand an important fact: a will does not avoid probate. If your estate is worth more than $208,000—which includes most California homeowners—your family will still face California's expensive probate process.
Quick Price Comparison
LegalZoom Basic
Will only
Software-generated
No attorney review
No POA or directive
LegalZoom Premium
Will only
30-min attorney consult
Template documents
No POA or directive
LivingTrustCalifornia.com
Will + POA + Healthcare Directive
Attorney-prepared
CA-specific drafting
Phone support included
Detailed Will Pricing Comparison
| Feature | LegalZoom Basic ($89) | LegalZoom Premium ($199) | LivingTrustCalifornia.com ($150) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last Will & Testament | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power of Attorney | ✗ Extra cost | ✗ Extra cost | ✓ Included |
| Healthcare Directive | ✗ Extra cost | ✗ Extra cost | ✓ Included |
| Attorney Review | ✗ Not included | ✓ 30-min consult | ✓ Full review |
| Who Prepares Documents | Software / templates | Software + attorney review | Licensed CA attorney |
| California-Specific | ✗ 50-state template | ✗ 50-state template | ✓ CA-specific |
| Phone Support | Customer service only | 30-min attorney call | ✓ Attorney support included |
| Annual Fees | $199/year (optional) | $199/year (optional) | ✓ None |
| Total for Will + POA + Directive | $150-$200+ | $260-$350+ | $150 |
What LegalZoom's Will Plans Include
Basic Will ($89)
LegalZoom's Basic will is their entry-level estate planning product. For $89, you receive a last will and testament generated by software based on your answers to an online questionnaire. The document is created using a generic template designed for all 50 states. No attorney ever reviews your will for errors or California-specific issues.
- Last will and testament — Software-generated from a template
- 30-day revision window — Changes after 30 days cost extra
- No attorney review — Documents are software-only
- No power of attorney — Must be purchased separately
- No healthcare directive — Must be purchased separately
Premium Will ($199)
The Premium plan adds a 30-minute attorney consultation and one year of free revisions. The underlying document is still generated by the same software template as the Basic plan. The attorney reviews what the software created but does not draft a custom will for your situation.
- Everything in Basic — Software-generated will
- ✓ 30-minute attorney consultation
- ✓ One year of free revisions
- No power of attorney — Still a separate purchase
- No healthcare directive — Still a separate purchase
Why Most Californians Need a Trust, Not Just a Will
Before spending $89-$199 on a will, every California resident should understand this critical fact: a will does not avoid probate. In California, if your estate is worth more than $208,000, it must go through formal probate regardless of whether you have a will. A will simply tells the probate court how to distribute your assets—it does not bypass the process.
California's Probate Costs Are Among the Highest in the Nation
California probate fees are set by statute (Probate Code Section 10810). Attorney and executor fees are calculated as a percentage of the gross estate value—not the net value after debts. Here is what probate costs for common California estate sizes:
| Estate Value | Statutory Attorney Fees | Statutory Executor Fees | Total Minimum Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500,000 | $13,000 | $13,000 | $26,000 |
| $750,000 | $18,000 | $18,000 | $36,000 |
| $1,000,000 | $23,000 | $23,000 | $46,000 |
| $1,500,000 | $28,000 | $28,000 | $56,000 |
| $2,000,000 | $33,000 | $33,000 | $66,000 |
These fees are in addition to court filing fees, publication costs, and bond premiums. The probate process also takes 12-18 months on average in California, during which your family cannot access the assets.
The $208,000 Threshold Is Easy to Reach
Many people underestimate their estate value. The $208,000 threshold includes the total value of all assets not held in trust or with beneficiary designations. For most California families, this threshold is easily exceeded when you add up:
- Home equity — The median California home price exceeds $750,000
- Retirement accounts — 401(k), IRA, pension balances
- Bank and investment accounts — Savings, checking, brokerage accounts
- Vehicles — Cars, boats, recreational vehicles
- Life insurance — Policies without a trust as beneficiary
- Personal property — Jewelry, collectibles, furniture
A Will May Be Sufficient If:
- Your total estate is worth less than $208,000
- You are young with minimal assets and plan to create a trust later
- All your significant assets already have beneficiary designations (retirement accounts, life insurance, TOD/POD accounts)
- You rent and do not own real property in California
"I was hesitant about doing this online, but the attorney review reassured me. I felt confident my planning was in good hands." — Michael J.
Consider Upgrading to a Living Trust
If your estate exceeds $208,000, a living trust is the most effective way to protect your family from California probate. The cost difference between a will and a trust is minimal compared to the probate costs your family would face without one.
Save Your Family $15,000-$50,000+ in Probate Costs
Attorney-Prepared Will
$150
Includes POA + Healthcare Directive
Attorney-Prepared Living Trust
$400-$500
Complete package. Avoids probate entirely.
Both prepared by Rozsa Gyene, Esq. (CA Bar #208356). No annual fees. Phone support included.
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