Estate planning is not only for the wealthy. A clear plan protects your family, speeds up transfers, and can help avoid probate delays and extra costs. In 2025, you can build a plan online with services like LegalZoom or you can work with an attorney. The right choice depends on your goals, your assets, and how complex your situation is.
Below is a simple, no-fluff guide to help you decide.
Quick Summary
- LegalZoom is best for simple estates that need core documents like a will, powers of attorney, and an advance healthcare directive. It is budget-friendly and faster to start. Some plans include access to an attorney network for questions.
- Hiring a lawyer is best when you have complex assets, special family needs, or tax planning questions. A lawyer can tailor the plan to your state rules and your specific goals.
What LegalZoom Offers in 2025
- Online wills, trusts, financial and medical powers of attorney, plus living wills.
- Estate planning bundles, with optional one year of advice from an attorney network.
- Pricing that is typically lower than bespoke legal work and competitive with other online services.
Starting from $149
Up to 20% off estate plans for Make-A-Will Month until Aug 31
Key Features
Walks you through creating essential estate documents like wills, living trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives
Easy-to-follow, online questionnaire that guides you step by step, without legal jargon
Optional upgrade for attorney review and legal support if you want extra peace of mind
Why We Recommend It
LegalZoom Estate Planning makes protecting your family’s future simple and accessible. You get a complete set of legal documents tailored to your needs right from home without needing to hire a lawyer unless you want to.
Pros & Cons
- Easy and clear process for creating vital estate documents
- Affordable compared to hiring a lawyer directly
- Free updates available keep your documents current as your life changes
- Legal guidance is limited unless you pay for the add-on attorney review
- Not a substitute for personalized legal advice in complex situations
Are online wills valid? Yes, if you follow your state’s rules for witnesses, signatures, and, where allowed, e-wills. Check your state’s requirements before you sign.
What You Get With a Lawyer
- Custom drafting and strategy for taxes, trusts, blended families, special needs planning, and business interests.
- Advice on funding a trust, titling property, and avoiding probate where possible.
- Guidance on state-specific execution rules, witnesses, notarization, and updates over time.
Cost Snapshot in 2025
- Online services: Entry documents can start at under a few hundred dollars. LegalZoom lists basic plans in the roughly $99 to $399 range for some items, with higher pricing for trusts and attorney assistance.
- Lawyers: Simple wills can be a few hundred dollars. Full plans with a revocable trust often run from about $1,200 to $4,000 or more, depending on complexity and market. Hourly rates commonly fall in the $250 to $350 range at many firms.
Tip: A well-funded living trust can save time and probate costs later. Probate can take many months, and fees can add up.
Choose LegalZoom if your situation is simple
Pick an online plan when most of these are true:
- You want a basic will, powers of attorney, and a healthcare directive.
- Your assets are straightforward: cash, brokerage, retirement accounts with beneficiaries, and one home.
- Your family structure is simple, and there are no special needs beneficiaries.
- You are comfortable following signing rules in your state and keeping documents updated.
Choose a Lawyer if any of these apply
- You own a business, multiple properties, or assets in more than one state.
- You need a revocable trust plus help funding it, or an irrevocable or special needs trust.
- You have a blended family, prenuptial concerns, or beneficiaries who need spend-thrift protections.
- You expect estate tax exposure or want charitable planning.
- You want a professional to quarterback titling, beneficiary designations, and long-term reviews.
Documents You Likely Need, Either Route
- Last will and testament
- A revocable living trust, if you want to simplify transfers and keep things private
- Financial power of attorney
- Advance healthcare directive and medical power of attorney
- Beneficiary designations on retirement and life insurance accounts
- Online or offline, you must sign correctly for your state and store originals where they can be found.
Smart 2025 Checklist
- List assets, debts, and beneficiaries.
- Decide who will serve as executor, trustee, and agents for medical and financial decisions.
- Pick a path: online service for simple needs or a lawyer for complex planning.
- Execute your documents with the right witnesses and notarization if required.
- If you set up a trust, retitle assets, and update beneficiaries.
- Review every 3 to 5 years or after major life changes.
Final Thoughts
There is no one best option for everyone. If your needs are simple and your budget is tight, LegalZoom can get you protected fast and at a fair price, especially with plans that provide limited attorney access. If your life or assets are complex, hiring a lawyer is worth it for the custom strategy and hands-on execution. What matters most is getting a valid plan in place and keeping it current.
