Guide: Online Legal Services

Most online legal services offer state-specific forms that can be created by answering step-by-step questions. They also offer explanations of the specific questions being asked, explain the effect that your answers will have later on in the process of document creation, and define legal terms.

What You Need to Know

In some cases, creating legal documents online can make things easier, as there's less hassle involved in completing forms and documents, and the cost is significantly less. In other cases, specifically if you are trying to achieve complex legal goals, online document creation may not meet your needs.

Factors to take into consideration when choosing an online legal service include cost, completion and delivery time, and the services offered by the site. For example, some online legal services will submit your documents to review by a paralegal after completion, while others will not. Some online companies also offer the ability to get legal advice from actual lawyers.

One thing is certain: It's better to have some estate planning documents in place than nothing in place. We compiled a few options below to help get you started.

FreeWill

FreeWill makes creating a Will so easy that we almost felt like we were cheating. Plus, it's designed to allow you to seamlessly leave part of your estate to your favorite charity. It takes around 30 minutes and also offers Advance Healthcare Directives and a Durable Power Of Attorney for free too.

Nolo Quicken WillMaker

One of the most reliable legal document software providers offers three different estate planning bundles. The "Starter" bundle provides a Will, Health Care Directives, and Final Arrangements (a document to convey funeral wishes) for $99. The next tier up is the "Plus" bundle, which includes a Durable Power Of Attorney, Letters to Survivors, Living Trust, Transfer on Death Deed, new documents (Limited POA, Promissory Note, Temporary Guardianship Authorization), and a downloadable version of the software for PC/Mac for $139.

The final, and might we say, most glorious bundle is "All Access," which includes all of the items previously mentioned plus a one year subscription to Everplans for $209. Since you're currently reading this article on Everplans you can see why we think this bundle is outstanding.

Note: These are annual membership fees, which you can cancel and still have lifetime access to your account and documents. You just won't be able to make any updates unless you enable your membership.

LegalZoom

LegalZoom offers estate planning bundles with different tiers based on your needs. To complete the forms customers must answer a series of questions. Every questions comes with a short description of the nature of the question you're being asked, and defines any terms that may not be clear.

A "Basic Will" bundle includes a Will, Health Care Directive, Power Of Attorney, and HIPPA authorization and starts at $199; a "Premium Will" includes all those things plus an attorney will review your documents for $299. A "Basic Trust" includes all the "Basic Will" items plus a Living Trust and Pour-over Will for $499; to have an attorney review all of these documents is $599.

MyUltraTrust

MyUltraTrust.com is the first and only DIY service that personalizes a state-specific irrevocable trust for you. They take you step-by-step through each decision you must make with videos and explanations. Once completed, an expert contacts you to go through the details, further personalizes it, and will even obtain the Federal EIN numbers for you. You can receive the final product via mail in as little as 4 days and you can make as many changes as you want for up to 90 days.

They offer a A+ BBB customer support, $65,000 Guarantee, as well as a separate 100% satisfaction guarantee. Prices start at 3 monthly payments of $797.