LegalZoom holds a narrow lead over Trust & Will, earning recommendations for comprehensive estate planning packages and straightforward will creation. Trust & Will is the usual answer when buyers ask whether an online service can replace an attorney or need guidance for blended families.
Freewill Gap between platforms: A 11.6-point platform gap for Freewill in Online Estate Planning Services: Google AI Mode 36.3%, ChatGPT Search 24.7%
Rocket Lawyer Gap between platforms: The platform gap for Rocket Lawyer in Online Estate Planning Services narrowed to 20.5 points, Google AI Mode ahead
33% of citations point at the ranked brands’ own sites. cnbc.com, ncoa.org, youtube.com are the most-cited sites outside the ranked brands’ own domains.
If you're in Wisconsin, the easiest and most affordable approach is usually to create your will online for free, then print and sign it correctly with two witnesses. You generally don't need to pay hundreds of dollars or hire a lawyer to make a straightforward will legally valid.
The important distinction is that creating a will online and legally executing it are two separate steps. Wisconsin has specific signing and witnessing requirements.
My top recommendations
1. FreeWill
(Best free option)
$0
Free online will-making tools, with the ability to update your will without a subscription fee. A good starting point if your finances and family situation are relatively straightforward.
Are there any budget-friendly websites where I can draft a valid will myself? I'm looking for something easy to use that doesn't require hiring an attorney.
A guided alternative if you'd prefer a paid service. Check the current checkout price, what's included, and whether any ongoing subscription is optional before purchasing.
My recommendation: Start with FreeWill and check that it supports your needs under Wisconsin law. Don't pay for a premium service just to get a basic will if a free option covers your circumstances.
How to make your will legally valid in Wisconsin
Follow these steps after preparing the document online.
Complete the online questionnaire. Name the people who should inherit your property and choose an executor to handle your estate.
Print the final version. Don't assume that saving or electronically signing a PDF completes the legal process.
Sign it with two witnesses. Wisconsin generally requires you to sign the will, or acknowledge your signature, in the conscious presence of at least two witnesses, who must sign within a reasonable time.
Store it safely. Tell your executor where the original document is kept, and review it after major life changes.
A notary is generally not required for the will itself to be valid in Wisconsin, although notarization can help with a separate self-proving affidavit. Follow the instructions for your specific document.
When is it worth paying a lawyer?
A free online will is often a reasonable starting point if you have a straightforward estate. Consider an estate-planning attorney if you have a blended family, a child with special needs, substantial assets, a business, complex property ownership, or concerns about inheritance disputes.
Let me narrow this down for you
I can help you choose the simplest option for your situation. Will you be making a will just for yourself, and do you have children or a spouse/partner?
That will help me determine whether a free online will is likely to be sufficient or whether there's a reason to consider a more comprehensive plan.
Creating a legally valid will online is straightforward if your estate is relatively simple (meaning you don't own complex international assets, run a large multi-owner business, or have high-conflict family dynamics).
To make a will legally valid using an online service, you generally just need to complete a step-by-step questionnaire, print the final document, and sign it in front of two witnesses (and sometimes get it notarized, depending on your state's specific laws).
The easiest and most affordable online options range from completely free services to low-cost software packages:
Why it’s great: It allows you to create a legally valid last will and testament, healthcare directive, and power of attorney at zero cost. It is funded by nonprofit partners (you’ll have the option to leave a charitable bequest, but it is not required).[](https://www.freewill.com/)
An online document is not legally valid the moment you click "finish" on your computer. To make it stick, you must complete the execution formalities required by your state:
Print it out: Digital signatures are generally not accepted for wills.
Notary (Optional/State-Specific): Some states don't strictly require a notary for a basic will, but signing an "Self-Proving Affidavit" in front of a notary alongside your witnesses makes the probate process much faster later on.
If you'd like to narrow down which option fits best, tell me:
Do you have minor children who need guardians designated?
Are you looking for completely free or do you mind paying a small flat fee for extra features?
If you want to make a legally valid will online without spending much, you have several good options in the U.S. For a straightforward estate, you can start with a free online will maker and potentially finish without hiring an attorney. The key is choosing a service that supports your state and following the required signing and witnessing rules.
Simplest budget-friendly online will options
Here are the services I'd compare first, based on current published pricing and ease of use.
1. FreeWill
(Best free option)
$0
A good first choice for a simple will. It offers guided online estate-planning documents without a purchase price.
Best for: Someone who wants a basic will without a subscription.
Check state-specific availability and document limitations.
Pricing and feature comparisons are based on 2026 published information and may change. Sources:
How to choose
If your priority is…
My suggestion
Spend as little as possible
Start with FreeWill
Pay a small one-time fee
Compare U.S. Legal Wills
Get guided help
Compare LegalZoom
Prepare several estate-planning documents
Compare Nolo
Three things that make your will legally valid
An online service creates the document, but you still need to execute it correctly under your state's law.
Follow your state's signing rules. For example, in Virginia, a standard written will generally needs to be signed by the person making it, with two competent witnesses present together who also sign it.
Store the signed original safely. Tell your executor where to find it.
Consider professional advice if your situation is complex. Blended families, a disabled beneficiary, a business, significant property in multiple states, or potential inheritance disputes can warrant an attorney's help.
Let me narrow this down for you
The best option depends on where the will must be legally valid and how complicated your estate is.
1. Which U.S. state do you live in?
Virginia
Another U.S. state
Outside the United States
2. What's your preferred budget?
Free if possible
Under $75
Under $150
3. How complicated is your situation?
Simple — ordinary assets and beneficiaries
I have minor children or a blended family
I own a business, have a trust, or have substantial assets
If you have a relatively straightforward estate and want a budget-friendly way to get your documents in order, several reputable online platforms provide simple, guided, and state-specific questionnaire flows.
The simplest and most budget-friendly options available range from completely free tools to affordable flat-fee software packages:
FreeWill — A popular completely FreeWill platform that guides you through a straightforward questionnaire to create a legally valid basic will at zero cost. It's fast and user-friendly, though best suited for simple asset distribution.[](https://clearmoneyguide.com/online-will-makers-compared/)
Trust & Will — Known as one of the most intuitive and streamlined platforms, it offers attorney-approved, state-specific documents. Basic individual will packages are moderately priced, and they feature a clean step-by-step interface.
— A long-standing and widely recognized service that walks you through basic will generation with clear prompts. It provides a reliable middle-ground for structured, affordable documentation.
Yes — there are several budget-friendly websites that let you create your own will online without hiring an attorney. The best option depends on where you live, because a will that is legally valid must meet your state's signing and witnessing requirements, even if you create it using an online service.
For a straightforward situation — such as leaving your belongings and savings to family members, naming an executor, and choosing who inherits — a DIY will can be a practical, affordable option.
Best affordable online will-making websites
Here are the options I would consider first, from free to paid. Prices are approximate and may change.
1. FreeWill (Best free option)
$0
A guided, step-by-step questionnaire that creates a printable will. It also offers advance healthcare directives and financial powers of attorney. No credit card is required.
Best for: straightforward estates and people who want to avoid fees.
A more comprehensive DIY option with wills and other estate-planning documents. It offers downloadable software and state-specific guidance, though availability varies by state.
Best for: people who want several legal documents for a one-time purchase.
A guided online will service with different plan levels and options for attorney access. Check the final checkout price and whether consultations or ongoing services cost extra.
Best for: people who want a DIY process with the option of professional assistance.
A polished, guided process designed to make estate planning easier to understand. The will plan also includes other planning documents, and attorney support is available for an additional fee.
Best for: ease of use and a more complete estate-planning package.
My recommendation: Start with FreeWill if your estate is uncomplicated. It is the lowest-cost starting point, and you can review your document before printing it.
How to make sure your will is legally valid
Regardless of which website you choose, don't stop when you download the document.
Check your state's rules. The signing and witnessing requirements depend on where you live.
Follow the signing instructions carefully. A correctly drafted document can still run into problems if it isn't properly executed.
Name an executor and clearly identify your beneficiaries and how your property should be distributed.
Store the signed original safely and make sure your executor knows where to find it.
If you're in New Jersey, for example, state law generally requires a written will signed by you and at least two witnesses, subject to specific exceptions.
A DIY will may not be the best fit if you have a blended family, a child with special needs, a business, significant assets, or concerns about someone challenging your wishes.
One question so I can narrow this down
Which state do you live in? I can identify the best low-cost option for your state and point you to the relevant legal signing requirements, so you have a better chance of getting a will that is valid without paying for an attorney.
Yes, there are several reputable, user-friendly, and budget-friendly platforms designed to help you draft a legally valid will yourself without retaining an attorney . These services use step-by-step questionnaires to customize documents for your specific state laws.[](https://www.cnbc.com/select/best-online-will-makers/)
An online document is only the first step. To make your drafted will legally valid in your state, you must complete the proper execution formalities:
Printing: Print out the final document once completed.
Witnesses: Sign the will in the physical presence of at least two disinterested witnesses (people who are not beneficiaries or named heirs in your will). Most states strictly prohibit beneficiaries from acting as witnesses.
Notarization: While not legally required in every state to make a will valid, signing your will in front of a notary public to create a Self-Proving Affidavit makes the probate process significantly faster and easier for your family later.
If you'd like, let me know:
I can help you narrow down which platform fits your exact situation.
If you want to create a will and a trust entirely online, I'd start by comparing three services: Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and Quicken WillMaker & Trust. They offer different combinations of guided document creation, pricing, and legal support.
The key distinction is that a will says how your assets should be distributed, while a revocable living trust can help transfer assets to beneficiaries without probate for assets properly placed in the trust. A trust also requires follow-through to transfer or retitle the appropriate assets.
Three online estate-planning services to compare
1. Trust & Will
(Best starting point)
Best for a straightforward, guided online process
Offers a revocable living trust, a pour-over will, financial power of attorney, healthcare documents, and a trust-funding guide. Attorney assistance is available as an add-on.
Provides online living trusts, pour-over wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. Its premium trust plan includes attorney consultations and an annual estate-planning review.
Basic individual trust: approximately $399
Premium individual trust: approximately $549, with attorney access
Provides wills, living trusts in its Plus and All Access plans, healthcare directives, powers of attorney, and other documents. The online version is different from the downloadable software version.
Starter: $109 — no living trust listed
Plus: $149 — includes a living trust
All Access: $219 — adds digital storage and other features
My initial recommendation is Trust & Will for simplicity, LegalZoom if attorney access is important, or WillMaker if keeping costs down is your priority. Prices are published plan prices and may change.
Before choosing, make sure the service supports your state's signing and witnessing requirements. Also check whether it explains how to fund the trust by transferring eligible assets into it. Online document creation alone doesn't complete that step.
Let me narrow it down for you
The best choice depends on your circumstances. Which state do you live in? Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or another state?
I can then narrow the options to services appropriate for your state and compare the total cost of a will plus trust, including legal support and any ongoing fees.
Creating a will and a living trust online is a streamlined way to handle your estate planning without paying traditional hourly attorney fees—provided your estate is relatively straightforward.[](https://www.cnbc.com/select/best-online-will-makers/)
The top digital estate planning platforms specializing in wills and trusts vary by their specific strengths:
Trust & Will is widely considered the cleanest, most intuitive platform built specifically for modern estate planning. It guides you step-by-step through state-specific documents like a last will, revocable living trust, power of attorney, and healthcare directives. Pricing is transparent (starting around $499 for a complete individual Trust plan). You can explore their guided questionnaires directly on Trust & Will.[](https://www.cnbc.com/select/best-online-will-makers/)
LegalZoom is best if you want a blend of robust estate documents with options for broader legal ecosystems or access to independent attorneys. They offer comprehensive trust packages with tiered options that include lawyer consultations if you need professional input on your setup. Check out their offerings at .
What digital platforms allow me to draft my own will and trust documents?
If you want to draft your own will and/or trust documents online, several digital estate-planning platforms provide guided questionnaires that generate documents you can review, print, sign, and execute according to your state’s requirements. www.legalzoom.comwww.ncoa.orglegalclarity.org Common options include:
A good online estate plan should cover more than your house, bank accounts, and investments. It should also explain what happens to your digital assets, online accounts, personal data, and digital legacy if you become incapacitated or die.
The key is to coordinate your will, any trust, your financial and health-care powers of attorney, and a separate digital asset inventory. You want the right person to have the legal authority and practical ability to manage your digital life—without unnecessarily exposing your private information or compromising account security.
One important distinction: giving someone authority to manage a digital asset is not necessarily the same as giving them permission to log in to the account associated with it. Federal and state laws, account-provider policies, and your estate documents can all affect what your representative may access.
1. Start with a complete digital asset inventory
Create a secure list of the assets you own, control, or have rights to. Include more than just accounts with monetary value.
Digital estate checklist
of 8
For each item, record:
Provider and account identifier: enough information for your representative to locate it.
Ownership and value: whether it belongs to you personally, a business, a trust, or someone else.
Instructions: transfer, preserve, download, memorialize, close, or delete.
Access method: where recovery instructions are securely stored.
Responsible person: who should handle it, and whether they need a backup.
Keep this inventory separate from the will where practical, so you can update it without revising your entire estate plan. Do not put passwords, private keys, or recovery phrases in a publicly filed will.
2. Put the right authority in each legal document
Each document has a different purpose. Have an estate-planning attorney coordinate them rather than relying on one generic online form.
Will
Authorize your personal representative to manage digital assets to the extent permitted by law. Specify whether they can retrieve files, handle financial assets, preserve records, close accounts, and request disclosure of electronic communications where legally allowed.
Revocable living trust
If the trust owns digital assets, domains, intellectual property, or business interests, address trustee powers to manage, transfer, license, or sell them. Coordinate ownership and beneficiary designations with the trust.
Durable financial power of attorney
Address access and management during incapacity, including paying bills, maintaining accounts, handling online financial services, and managing digital property. Confirm that the powers are authorized under your state's law and are effective when needed.
Health-care directives and HIPAA authorization
Consider whether a trusted person should receive relevant digital medical records or patient-portal information. These documents serve health-care purposes; they do not replace a financial power of attorney or digital asset authorization.
Under the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (RUFADAA), adopted in most U.S. states, the rules for accessing electronic communications can be more restrictive than those for other digital property. An explicit authorization may be important, and a provider's own legacy or account-inheritance settings may take priority under applicable law.
3. Set your preferences for each type of asset
Instead of giving one person unlimited access to everything, specify your intentions.
Asset category
Decisions to document
Email and messages
Allow content access where legally permitted, limit access to account records, or prohibit content disclosure
Photos and cloud files
Preserve family archives, download copies, and identify who receives them
Social accounts
Memorialize, deactivate, delete, or preserve selected content
Financial accounts
Identify the institution and asset; follow its estate-transfer procedures
Cryptocurrency
Identify the wallet or custodian, the intended recipient, and secure recovery arrangements
Digital business and intellectual property
Be especially careful with crypto and licensed digital content. Cryptocurrency may be irretrievable without the correct keys or recovery method. Meanwhile, a digital movie, ebook, or gaming library may be a limited license rather than property that can be inherited outright.
4. Use account-level legacy tools as well as legal documents
Many major services offer their own ways to designate a trusted contact or manage an account after death. Review these settings individually because the permissions vary by provider.
Apple
Review Legacy Contact settings and securely preserve the access key.
These settings complement your estate documents; they do not replace them. Review them periodically because providers can change their procedures and permissions.
5. Secure the handoff
Your plan should be usable without creating a new security risk.
Use a reputable password manager with an emergency-access or inheritance feature, if available.
Keep recovery keys and cryptocurrency seed phrases in secure storage with carefully controlled access.
Give your executor or agent clear instructions on how to locate the inventory, not unrestricted access to everything by default.
Name a backup digital asset administrator if your primary representative is not comfortable with technology.
Explain how your representative should protect confidential information, preserve evidence, and dispose of data you want deleted.
Review the plan annually and after major events such as marriage, divorce, a move, or starting a business.
6. If you are in Michigan, check the state-specific rules
Michigan has a Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act, MCL 700.1001–700.1018. It addresses access by personal representatives, agents under powers of attorney, and trustees, while preserving important limits involving provider terms and other applicable law. A fiduciary's authority is also limited by their duties and cannot be used to impersonate you.
See the Michigan Legislature's digital asset law. If your estate plan was generated online, ask a Michigan estate-planning attorney to review the digital-asset provisions and any consent language concerning private electronic communications.
7. A practical starting point for your online estate plan
Before finalizing your documents, make sure you can answer these five questions:
Who manages my digital assets if I become incapacitated?
Who handles them after my death?
What information may each person access, including private messages?
Which assets should be transferred, preserved, memorialized, or deleted?
Where are the inventory and recovery instructions stored, and how will my representative find them?
One final recommendation: ask your online estate-planning provider specifically whether its documents contain a digital asset authorization compliant with your state's version of RUFADAA, including express consent to disclose electronic communications if you want that access. A generic clause authorizing an executor to handle property may not resolve every access issue.
Which state will govern your estate plan? If you tell me your state, I can narrow this down to the applicable law and the specific digital-asset provisions to look for in your online estate-planning documents.
Appoint a digital executor: Designate a trusted, tech-savvy individual in your estate documents to handle your online footprint. This can be your primary executor or a specialized co-executor who understands how to navigate online platforms, cloud storage, and cryptographic keys.[]()
If you'd like, tell me:
Do you hold significant cryptocurrency or online business assets that require specialized transfer protocols?
Have you already established a master password manager or secure vault?
I can provide more tailored strategies on how to structure your digital executor instructions.
Digital property: websites, domains, online businesses, monetized content
Media: photographs, videos, music, ebooks and other purchased/created files
Subscriptions: streaming, software, memberships and recurring services
Loyalty/value accounts: airline miles, hotel points, gaming accounts, etc.
For cryptocurrency especially, keep enough information for your executor to locate and understand the asset without putting the private key or seed phrase in the will itself. The IRS treats digital assets as property for federal tax purposes and requires adequate records of acquisitions, dispositions and basis.
2. Put authority in your estate documents
Ask an estate-planning attorney to address digital assets explicitly in your , as appropriate.
If you're planning a will, a Michigan estate-planning attorney can handle digital assets as part of the estate plan. This is generally better than using a separate “digital asset” service, because the attorney can coordinate your will, powers of attorney, trusts, and fiduciary authority.
The American Bar Association specifically recommends addressing online accounts, digital property, and electronic communications in the estate plan, including explicit authority for your representative to access them.
What to look for
When contacting an attorney, ask whether they handle:
Digital accounts: email, cloud storage, social media, websites, domain names, online subscriptions.
Financial digital assets: cryptocurrency, digital wallets, online investment accounts, royalties, and digital businesses.
Passwords and encryption: creating a secure inventory without putting passwords directly into the will.
Digital fiduciary authority: language authorizing your personal representative/trustee to access and manage digital assets.
Legacy instructions: whether accounts should be transferred, deleted, memorialized, archived, or kept private.
Quicken WillMaker & Trust (by Nolo) — Available as a software download or online kit, this is a classic value pick. It offers comprehensive estate planning tools (including a will, healthcare directives, and powers of attorney) that adapt to your specific state laws.[1][2]
To help narrow down the best choice for you, could you let me know:
Do you need just a basic individual will , or documents for a couple (including powers of attorney or healthcare directives)?
Are there any complex assets (like a small business or multiple properties) involved?
GoodTrust stands out for all-in-one planning that uniquely integrates your digital legacy, online accounts, and pet directives alongside your traditional will and trust for a flat fee. It’s a great option if managing digital assets is a priority for you. Learn more at GoodTrust.[](https://www.ncoa.org/product-resources/estate-planning/best-online-will-makers/)
Quicken WillMaker & Trust is a solid value choice if you prefer a mix of downloadable software and online access that has been trusted for decades, often bundling comprehensive guides and digital storage vaults.[](https://www.cnbc.com/select/best-online-will-makers/)
Note: Online services work wonders for clear-cut situations, but if you have a complex blended family, a business with multiple partners, or concerns about estate taxes, consulting a local estate attorney is still recommended.
To help narrow down which platform fits your needs best, tell me:
Do you need an individual plan or a couples/joint plan?
Are you looking to include specific digital asset management or pet directives?
Do you want access to a lawyer to review your documents?
Simple estate (basic assets, straightforward beneficiaries): FreeWill, Nolo WillMaker, Trust & Will, or LegalZoom may fit your needs.
You want a living trust: Look for platforms that specifically support revocable living trusts and provide instructions for funding the trust (moving assets into it).
You want some professional review without hiring a full-time estate attorney: Consider platforms with attorney-review or consultation add-ons.
Situations where an online template may not be enough
A lawyer’s review is often worth considering if you have circumstances such as:
a high-value or complex estate
a blended family
a child or beneficiary with special needs
business ownership
significant real estate in multiple states
tax-planning goals
concerns about future disputes among heirs
Also remember that creating the document is only part of the process: wills and trusts generally must be properly signed, witnessed, notarized (where required), and—especially for trusts—properly funded to work as intended. Requirements vary by state.
If you tell me your state and whether you need just a will, a living trust, or a full estate plan (will + trust + healthcare/financial documents), I can narrow the options.
Trust & Will – Widely recognized as one of the most user-friendly and polished guided platforms. It walks you step-by-step through creating state-specific wills, trusts, guardianship designations, and healthcare directives.
LegalZoom – One of the longest-running online legal services. It is ideal if you want a robust, comprehensive estate plan or prefer to buy documents outright as a one-time purchase rather than joining a subscription.[](https://www.willsandtrustsguide.com/reviews/legalzoom-vs-rocket-lawyer/)
Rocket Lawyer – Operates primarily on a membership or subscription model. It works well if you want access to ongoing general legal documents, business forms, and bundled or discounted attorney consultations alongside your will and trust.[](https://www.willsandtrustsguide.com/reviews/legalzoom-vs-rocket-lawyer/)
GoodTrust – Focuses heavily on modern estate planning by combining traditional legal documents (wills and trusts) with comprehensive tools for managing your digital assets and online accounts after you pass.
FreeWill – A uniquely accessible option that offers a completely free online will-writing tool, funding its operations largely through optional charitable legacy gifts.[](https://www.cnbc.com/select/best-online-will-makers/)
If you want to narrow down which platform fits best, tell me:
Do you need a simple will or a living trust?
Are you looking for a one-time purchase or a subscription that includes legal advice?
I can help you select the ideal service for your specific needs.
FreeWill : This tool provides completely free creation for last wills, living wills, and financial powers of attorney. It makes money through charitable bequests rather than selling user data, though its revocable living trust builder is currently limited to California.[](https://www.freewill.com/)
LegalZoom : A long-standing online legal document provider that pairs guided software with tiered packages, allowing you to pay extra for professional attorney reviews or phone consultations.[](https://smartasset.com/estate-planning/best-online-will-maker)
Online platforms generate the legal text, but the documents are not valid until properly executed. You must print the final paperwork, sign it in the presence of required witnesses, and often sign before a notary public depending on your state's laws. For a living trust, you must also actively transfer ("fund") your real estate and financial accounts into the name of the trust.[](https://www.ncoa.org/product-resources/estate-planning/best-online-will-makers/)
If you'd like to narrow down the choices, tell me:
Which state you live in
Whether you have minor children or real estate
If you need attorney support included in the package
I can help you select the most suitable platform for your needs.
Several established online options are available in the U.S.:
LegalZoom — wills and revocable living trusts; attorney-support options are available. Current listed plans start around $149 for wills and $399 for trusts.
Trust & Will — specifically focused on wills and trusts; current trust plans start around $499.
Nolo/Quicken WillMaker & Trust — DIY software covering a will, living trust, powers of attorney and healthcare documents.
FreeWill — offers free online wills; its trust capabilities are more limited.
USLegalWills — lower-cost online will service with additional estate documents.
If you specifically need both a will and a revocable living trust, I'd focus the comparison on Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and Nolo. For a complicated estate, business interests, special-needs beneficiaries, or significant tax concerns, online forms may not substitute for an estate-planning attorney.
The documents should identify the person who is authorized to deal with your digital assets and give that person appropriate powers to:
access and manage accounts
download or preserve files
communicate with providers
transfer or sell assets
close accounts
preserve business websites and domains
handle cryptocurrency
deal with tax records
This matters because simply knowing someone's password doesn't necessarily give another person legal authority to access an account. Provider policies can also restrict access. For example, Microsoft says it generally cannot provide deceased users' account information to non-account holders without appropriate legal process if its digital-legacy mechanism wasn't established.
3. Use provider-specific legacy tools
Don't rely entirely on your will. Set up the mechanisms offered by the companies themselves.
Google: Its Inactive Account Manager lets you designate up to 10 people who can receive selected account data after a period of inactivity.
Apple: Apple has Legacy Contact, which can provide a designated person access to specified Apple-account data after your death. The person needs the access key and generally your death certificate. Importantly, Apple's Legacy Contact does not provide access to passwords, passkeys or data stored in iCloud Keychain.
Microsoft/OneDrive: OneDrive's Digital Legacy feature can give a trusted contact read-only access to designated files after the required process. Microsoft also warns that, without appropriate arrangements, access to a deceased person's account may require legal process.
So your estate plan should contain both legal authorization and provider-specific instructions.
4. Keep the secrets separate from the estate documents
This is particularly important for passwords and crypto.
I would not put a master password, crypto seed phrase or private key directly into an ordinary will, because wills can become part of the public probate record.
Instead, consider:
Estate documents: Who is authorized to act and what they should do. Secure digital vault: Where the credentials/instructions are stored. Access mechanism: How the executor obtains the vault credentials after death or incapacity.
A password manager, encrypted document/vault, or other appropriately secured system can be used for this purpose. Your attorney can help coordinate the access mechanism with the legal documents.
For crypto, consider documenting:
asset and approximate quantity
wallet/exchange location
hardware-wallet location
how the executor identifies the correct wallet
where the recovery information is stored
tax records and transaction history
instructions for accessing or transferring it
Do not send me your seed phrase, private keys, passwords or recovery codes.
5. Separate "inherit" from "delete"
Your instructions should tell your representative what you actually want done.
For example:
Digital asset
Instruction
Family photographs
Preserve and give copies to children
Personal email
Preserve for 12 months, then delete
Social media
Memorialize/delete
Online business
Transfer to beneficiary
Cryptocurrency
Transfer according to will/trust
Cloud documents
Give specified folders to specified people
Password manager
Provide executor access
Subscriptions
Cancel
Domain names
Transfer to business beneficiary
This prevents an executor from having to guess what you wanted.
6. Protect the digital estate while you're alive
Estate planning and cybersecurity overlap.
Use:
unique passwords
a reputable password manager
multifactor authentication
recovery methods that your successor can ultimately access through a controlled process
encrypted backups
offline backups of particularly important documents
separate storage for highly sensitive recovery information
The FTC recommends protecting sensitive personal information and using strong passwords as part of identity-theft prevention.
7. Keep tax records with the inventory
This is easy to overlook with digital assets.
For cryptocurrency and other taxable digital assets, maintain acquisition dates, quantities, cost/basis information, transaction records and relevant tax documents. The IRS specifically says taxpayers need records sufficient to establish their tax positions, and inherited property can involve separate basis considerations.
A practical "digital estate packet"
I'd ultimately have these five pieces:
Digital asset inventory — what exists and where.
Legal authorization — will/trust/POA provisions addressing digital assets.
Secure credential vault — passwords, recovery information and crypto-access information.
Provider legacy settings — Google, Apple, Microsoft and other important providers.
Disposition instructions — who gets what, what gets preserved, and what gets deleted.
Review the packet at least annually and whenever you open/close a major account or change your estate documents.
Because digital-asset access is affected by state law, provider contracts and the particular asset involved, have an estate-planning attorney in your state review the legal provisions—especially if you have cryptocurrency, an online business, valuable intellectual property, or significant digital accounts.
Appoint a digital executor : Designate a trusted, tech-savvy individual in your estate documents specifically tasked with managing or closing your digital life. Their powers should align with the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (RUFADAA) if applicable in your state.[](https://www.purduegloballawschool.edu/blog/news/digital-estate-planning)
Disability planning: access to digital assets if you become incapacitated, not just after death.
Michigan has specific fiduciary-access rules for digital assets, so it's worth asking the lawyer specifically about Michigan's implementation of those rules.
Finding an attorney in Michigan
The State Bar of Michigan's Lawyer Referral Service lets you search for attorneys by legal need and location.
You can search for “estate planning,” “wills and trusts,” or “probate and estate planning” and then ask prospective attorneys:
“Does your estate-planning practice specifically address digital assets, cryptocurrency, online accounts, and fiduciary access to digital communications?”
If cost is a concern, Michigan also has a Modest Means Program covering probate and estate planning for qualifying applicants.
One important point: don't put your passwords, seed phrases, or private keys in the will itself. The ABA recommends maintaining a separate, secure inventory and making sure your estate-planning documents give the appropriate fiduciary authority.
If you tell me whether you're looking for a local Michigan attorney, an online service, or someone specifically experienced with cryptocurrency/digital assets, I can look up current options and compare what each offers.
If your primary concern is managing, memorializing, or deleting online accounts, social media, and encrypted data, dedicated digital estate services are a great fit:
GoodTrust : Specifically built as an all-in-one digital legacy and estate planning platform. It allows you to create legal wills, trusts, and directives specifically tailored to handle online accounts and digital assets, paired with a secure digital vault to pass access instructions to your designated digital executor.
2. Mainstream Online Estate Planning Services
Most major consumer online will-and-trust platforms now feature provisions or guidance for including digital property, online banking, and designated digital executors:
LegalZoom : As a heavyweight in online legal services, they guide you through standard asset allocation, and you can add attorney consultation packages if your digital estate involves complex intellectual property or business assets.[](]()]()
3. Traditional Estate Planning Attorneys
If you have high-net-worth digital holdings, substantial cryptocurrency portfolios, monetized digital channels (like YouTube or massive blog networks), or complex privacy concerns, working with a specialized local attorney or a large firm with a dedicated Private Wealth Services Digital Assets Team (such as Holland & Knight ) is the safest route. They ensure your documents comply with the Revised Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (RUFADAA) , which governs whether an executor legally has the right to log into your accounts.[](https://www.hklaw.com/en/services/practices/private-wealth-services/private-wealth-services-digital-assets)
To help narrow down the best option, tell me:
Do you have cryptocurrency or digital wallets , or is it mostly social media/photos/cloud accounts?
Are you looking for a completely DIY online tool or a local attorney?
Rocket Lawyer : Offers do-it-yourself legal document builders alongside options to consult with a network attorney who can help explicitly draft clauses for digital property or cryptocurrency keys.
