Start with the documents, not the software

A will matters, but it is only one part of the plan. The real question is: if someone gets sick, passes away, or cannot handle details for a while, who can step in and what will they need?

Core documents to compare:
  • Last will and testament: says who should receive property and who should handle the estate.
  • Financial power of attorney: lets a trusted person handle financial tasks while the signer is alive.
  • Healthcare power of attorney or proxy: names someone to make medical decisions if the signer cannot.
  • Living will or advance directive: records care preferences for serious illness or end-of-life decisions.
  • HIPAA authorization: helps designated people speak with medical providers and access health information.
  • Revocable living trust: may help some families avoid probate or organize property, but it is not necessary for everyone.

Each state has its own signing, witness, notarization, and document rules. Before relying on a DIY document, slow down enough to read the instructions and put finished copies somewhere the right people can actually find them.

When a DIY package may not be enough

Online packages can be useful for straightforward situations. They are not magic, and they are not a substitute for judgment when the family situation is complicated.

Consider a local estate planning or elder law attorney if you have:
  • A blended family, estranged relatives, or likely family conflict
  • A spouse or child with special needs or benefit eligibility concerns
  • Real estate in more than one state
  • A business, rental property, farm, or valuable collection
  • Medicaid, long-term care, or asset-protection questions
  • A desire to disinherit someone or make unequal gifts
  • Concerns about memory, capacity, pressure, or financial abuse

If the plan is simple, a DIY package can be a productive first step. If the plan could be challenged, the cost of attorney help may be far less than the cost of fixing a bad document later.

A practical way to compare DIY packages

Package Best fit Documents to check Watch-outs
Trust & Will Clean guided will or trust flow Will, trust, POA, healthcare directive, HIPAA authorization Attorney support and updates may cost extra; confirm state details
LegalZoom People who want an established legal services brand and attorney-support options Will bundles, POA, healthcare directive, HIPAA authorization, trust options Review subscriptions, renewal terms, and upsells before checkout
Quicken WillMaker by Nolo People comfortable with software and a one-time purchase style Will, living trust, healthcare directive, financial POA, letter to survivors May be less hand-holding than guided web services; check state availability
Rocket Lawyer People who may need multiple documents plus ongoing legal questions Personal legal documents, e-signature, legal questions, attorney consult options Membership model; calendar cancellation and renewal dates
FreeWill or state advance directive forms Basic will or healthcare-directive starting point Will, advance directive, healthcare proxy depending on service/state May not include all documents or attorney review

Trust & Will: Best for a guided estate-planning flow

Trust & Will is built around estate planning rather than general legal forms. It is a strong first comparison if you want the process to feel guided instead of starting from a blank legal form.

Look closely at whether the package includes the documents you need, how updates work, and whether attorney support is available in your state.

Review Trust & Will packages

LegalZoom: Best for attorney-support options

LegalZoom offers estate-planning packages that may include a will, healthcare directive, medical power of attorney, financial power of attorney, HIPAA authorization, and attorney consultation options depending on the package.

This can be useful if you want a known brand and access to legal help. Just read the renewal language carefully so you know whether you are buying documents, a subscription, or both.

Compare LegalZoom estate plans

Quicken WillMaker by Nolo: Best for software-style planning

Quicken WillMaker & Trust by Nolo is a long-running DIY option for people who are comfortable working through software and want a broad set of documents in one purchase.

It can be a good fit for someone who prefers a one-time tool over a membership. It may also require more patience and attention to instructions than a guided web checkout.

Review WillMaker pricing

Rocket Lawyer: Best if you expect ongoing legal forms

Rocket Lawyer is broader than estate planning. Its membership model may fit households that expect to create multiple legal documents, ask legal questions, or use other legal services over time.

For someone who only needs a basic will and POA package, compare the membership cost against a one-time estate-planning product and set a reminder before any trial or renewal ends.

Review Rocket Lawyer plans

Free and low-cost starting points

Free options can be enough for a basic healthcare directive or as a starting point for family conversations. They are less likely to replace a full estate plan.

  • FreeWill: useful to compare for basic estate-planning documents, especially if you are comfortable with a simpler online flow.
  • AARP advance directive resources: helpful for healthcare decision forms and family conversations.
  • State bar, state aging office, or hospital forms: often useful for healthcare directives and POA information.

Free forms still need to be signed correctly. A document that is not witnessed, notarized, stored, or shared properly may not help when the family actually needs it.

Review FreeWill

Quick picks

  • Best guided estate package: Trust & Will
  • Best attorney-support option: LegalZoom
  • Best one-time software style: Quicken WillMaker by Nolo
  • Best membership model: Rocket Lawyer
  • Best free starting point: FreeWill or state advance directive forms

Before buying anything, write down your state, marital status, children or dependents, real estate, retirement accounts, life insurance, debts, and the people you would trust as executor, financial agent, and healthcare decision-maker. The clearer that list is, the easier it is to choose the right level of help.

Sources and further reading