LegalZoom holds a narrow lead over Freewill for low-cost estate planning with added legal extras. Freewill is the usual answer when users prioritize finding the easiest completely free option.
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.
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?
