Best for Industry Experience 

Nolo has been around since 1971 and has offered legal advice in many areas of law since the early days of the internet. Its online will service comes with a large cache of legal information that’s easy to browse and dissect so that people can determine the best way to manage the creation of their wills.  

In addition to experience and a strong reputation, Nolo is always finding new ways to deliver products and information to consumers. This helps Nolo maintain its position as a leader in the industry. 

Pros:

  • The $60 online will that Nolo offers can be used to create an unlimited number of wills for one year and can be used for multiple family members.
  • Individual products on the website feature a question and answer section that addresses some of the most common concerns that customers have about that product.
  • In addition to product-specific questions and answers, a full FAQ section is also available on the website.
  • Nolo’s educational section has 25 different article categories as well as a legal news section, a legal dictionary, and a variety of tools for making financial calculations.

Cons:

  • Nolo offers a few different price points for will creation, but none are particularly low, and the lowest cost that Nolo offers is a $35 will specifically for use by Louisiana residents.
  • The main online will (for everyone other than Louisiana residents) costs $60 and downloadable software called “Willmaker and Trust 2021” costs $100.

Overview of Nolo 

Nolo provides legal advice on matters from tenants’ rights to divorce proceedings and more. It also offers two online will creation products to assist people looking to write their own wills from the comfort of their homes. Nolo’s products provide consumers with all they need to create their wills in accordance with state and local laws.  

Payment Structure

Flat fee

Discounts or Trials

10% coupon code upon signing up and providing an email

Costs

$60-$100

Revisions Available

For one year*

Refunds Offered

At company’s discretion 

How Much Does a Nolo Online Will Cost? 

For most people, creating an online will with Nolo costs between $60 – $300. Residents of Louisiana can’t use the products to create a will that’s compliant with state law unless they sign up for a special product. If users select the $60 option, they can only create and revise their wills within a year. If they decide to amend their will at a later date, they must repurchase the product unless they’ve purchased the WillMaker and Trust software for an additional fee. 

Full Review of Nolo’s Features 

Nolo offers two products for those looking to create their own will online or from their computer. 

Nolo’s Online Will 

This tool allows people to create an unlimited number of wills and revisions within a year for a $60 subscription fee. The product guides users by asking detailed questions about assets and beneficiaries to determine the structure and language of the will. Users can do the following: 

  • Name an executor for their will 
  • Appoint a trustee to manage assets left to minors 
  • Determine who has custody rights over children 
  • Decide who will take care of pets 
  • Name beneficiaries and determine how assets are to be split among them 
  • Erase any outstanding debts owed to the estate 
  • Create a line of succession for assets in case beneficiaries die before the will is executed 

Because Nolo’s Online Will asks users questions to determine the format of the final will, users can customize their will however they choose. While many people seek to write simple wills where they leave all their assets to a limited number of people, there are options available to give specific assets to different people or charitable organizations. 

Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker and Trust 

The WillMaker and Trust program can be downloaded for a flat fee of $300. Once installed, no internet connection is needed to use it, and it’s compatible with Windows and Mac computers. It offers a comprehensive suite of products that include what users need to create their own will.  

Product features include: 

  • Free legal updates for the first year 
  • The ability to create and amend more than one will 
  • A legal library for users to find answers to common questions 
  • Ability to create a financial power of attorney 
  • Software for the creation of a living will 
  • Ability to create a letter to survivors 
  • Power to create documents that determine how end of life health matters are to be handled 
  • Ability to create a living trust 
  • Unlimited updates to estate planning documents 

Users can download finished legal documents in .PDF format to make them easy to send over email or print. The comprehensive legal library offers over 25 categories of information to browse, which makes estate planning an easy, streamlined process.  

Who Should Consider Nolo’s Online Wills? 

People Who Want To Create More Than One Legal Document 

The WillMaker and Trust software allows for the creation of an unlimited number of legal documents that include power of attorney, living wills, trusts and personal finance documents. Users can create more than one of each document, so it allows them to amend their wills when needed and create wills for more than one member of the family. 

People With Limited Legal Knowledge 

Nolo’s products ask users questions to determine what needs to be included in a will. This makes it easy to create a will without having to worry about legal language and whether something has been missed. 

What Are People Saying About Nolo’s Online Will Products? 

Reviews are mostly positive, with users saying that Nolo’s products save them valuable time working with an attorney. Creating a will or other estate planning documents is easy using the format, and the user interface is simple and understandable. Those who prefer to have their documents reviewed and finalized by an attorney stated that it saved them money on lawyer’s fees by allowing them to get most of the work done in advance. 

The drawbacks to Nolo’s Online Will and WillMaker and Trust products are that they’re not as useful for complicated wills. Users pointed out that if they had multiple types of assets or owned property outside of the country, it would be better to use a qualified attorney to produce their will.  

FAQs 


Are DIY Wills Legal?



It’s legal to write your own will. This option is best for those who have very simple intentions or who don’t own numerous forms of financial assets. Click here for our full answer to this question.


Can You Create a Will Online for Free?



There are plenty of templates available if you want to create a will for free. The downside is that you have no access to legal support or information you may need to ensure that your will is executed as you wish. Click here for our full answer to this question.


What are the Most Important Things to Put in Your Will?



You should include information about your assets and the beneficiaries you wish to receive them. It’s also important to name an executor who can carry out your wishes and distribute your assets according to your will. Click here for our full answer to this question.


What is the Difference Between a Will and a Trust?



A will states how you’d like your estate handled following your death. A trust allows another person to manage assets on behalf of another person and decide when and how the beneficiary receives them. Click here for our full answer to this question.


Who Should I Choose as the Executor of My Will?



You can choose anyone to be the executor of your will, so identify someone you trust and who you expect to live longer than you. If the executor of your will isn’t alive when you pass, this creates legal issues that could keep your beneficiaries from receiving their assets. Click here for our full answer to this question.