You've decided you need an estate plan. The next question: do you do it yourself with an online service, or hire an attorney? Both are legitimate options, but the right one depends on your situation.
Online / DIY Services
What they are. Platforms like LegalZoom, Trust & Will, FreeWill, and Nolo offer guided questionnaires that generate legal documents based on your answers. Some are free; most charge $50 to $500 depending on the package.
What they do well. They're affordable, fast, and convenient. You can complete a basic will in an afternoon from your couch. For straightforward situations, the documents they produce are legally valid in most states.
Where they fall short. They can't give you legal advice. They generate documents based on your inputs, but they can't tell you if you're making a mistake, missing something, or choosing the wrong tool for your situation. They also can't handle state-specific nuances the way a local attorney can [1].
Best for: Single individuals, young couples, parents in straightforward situations who need a basic will with guardian nomination, power of attorney, and advance directive.
Hiring an Attorney
What they offer. An estate planning attorney reviews your full situation, asks questions you might not have thought to ask, identifies risks, drafts documents tailored to your state's laws, and can advise on complex scenarios like blended families, business ownership, or tax considerations [1][2].
What it costs. A basic will from an attorney runs $300 to $1,000. A will plus supporting documents typically costs $500 to $2,000. A trust-based plan runs $1,500 to $3,000+. Complex plans can exceed $5,000 [2].
Where they fall short. Cost and convenience. An attorney requires scheduling, an office visit (or at least a video call), and a larger financial commitment. For simple situations, you may be paying for expertise you don't need.
Best for: Homeowners with significant equity, parents with blended families, business owners, anyone with assets in multiple states, families with special needs dependents, and anyone whose situation involves more than one complexity factor.
How to Decide
Your situation is straightforward if: You're single or in a first marriage, have no business interests, own property in only one state (or don't own property), have modest to moderate assets, and have no blended family or special needs considerations.
In that case, an online service is likely sufficient. A basic will with guardian nomination, a power of attorney, and an advance directive will cover the essentials [3].
Your situation has complexity if: You own a business, have a blended family, have a family member with special needs, own property in multiple states, expect a significant inheritance, or have substantial assets. Any one of these factors warrants at least a consultation with an attorney [1].
When in doubt, start with an attorney consultation. Many offer free or low-cost initial meetings where they can assess your situation and tell you honestly whether you need their services or whether a simpler approach would work [5].
Can You Start DIY and Upgrade Later?
Yes. A basic will from an online service is far better than no will at all. You can always have an attorney review or replace your documents later as your situation changes. The important thing is to get something in place now.
Finding an Attorney
Your state bar association maintains a directory of licensed attorneys searchable by practice area [5]. Look for someone who focuses on estate planning specifically, not just a general practitioner who includes it in a long list of services.
Ask about their experience with situations like yours, their fee structure (flat fee vs. hourly), and what's included in their standard estate planning package.
The Bottom Line
For simple situations, DIY works. For anything with complexity, an attorney is worth the investment. Either way, having a plan is dramatically better than having nothing.
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Related Reading
- The Cost of Estate Planning for detailed price ranges at every level
- Will vs. Trust to understand which documents you might need
- What Is an Executor? since you'll need to name one either way
- Estate Planning in Washington State for state-specific details