Yes, FreeWill is free to use, with no credit card required, and for a simple will it is a legitimate option. Where it stops: its revocable living trust is offered to California residents only, and it is a self-service tool without an attorney included. If you want a trust in most states or paid guided support, Trust & Will is one alternative, starting at $199 for a will and $499 for a trust.
FreeWill is an online will maker that says it is the largest in the US and that it is completely free for users. This review goes through what its own website says, what it leaves out, and how it compares with paid options. We have not bought a product from FreeWill for this article; everything here comes from FreeWill's and competitors' published pages.
FreeWill says more than 2,400 nonprofits and businesses partner with it and support its mission, which is what keeps the tools free for you. It states there is no credit card requirement and that it does not sell your personal data.
The visible trade-off is a prompt to consider leaving a gift to charity. FreeWill reports that one in six of its users include a charity in their will. The prompt is optional: you can decline, and the documents work the same either way. If you do not want to be asked about charitable giving at all, that is a fair reason to look at a paid service instead.
According to FreeWill's website, the free suite covers:
FreeWill says its tools are designed for people with straightforward situations. Its site states that online estate planning is not suitable for everyone, that it will point out where an attorney may be a better fit, and that it provides a readable summary you can bring to a lawyer.
| Feature | FreeWill |
|---|---|
| Price | Free, no credit card required |
| Will | Yes (about 20 minutes, per FreeWill) |
| Healthcare directive and financial POA | Yes, free |
| Living trust | California residents only |
| Attorney included | No; it flags when an attorney may be a better fit |
| Business model | Supported by nonprofit and business partners; optional charity prompt |
| Scale (company figures) | 1.6M+ wills created, 2,400+ nonprofit partners |
Source: FreeWill's published pages. Checked November 2026; confirm current details on FreeWill's site.
FreeWill says you print the will and sign it in front of two witnesses, and that Louisiana is different, requiring two witnesses plus a notary public. A will that is never signed correctly can fail, whatever tool produced it, so this step matters more than the software.
Rules vary by state, including who may act as a witness. A common precaution is to use witnesses who are not named in the will. Some states also allow a self-proving affidavit signed before a notary to make probate smoother. Check your state's requirements before you sign.
FreeWill is a reasonable fit if your estate is simple, you are comfortable answering a questionnaire, and you mainly want a valid will, a healthcare directive and a power of attorney without paying.
Consider a paid service or a lawyer if you want a revocable living trust and do not live in California, you own property in more than one state, you have a blended family or a family member you expect might contest, you own a business, or you want a person to review your plan. Our guide on online wills vs lawyer-drafted wills goes through when a lawyer is worth the cost.
Trust & Will is a paid option. It lists a Will Plan at $199 for an individual ($299 for couples) and a Trust Plan at $499 ($599 for couples), with a $49 per year membership and optional attorney support listed as an add-on (+$299 on the Trust Plan page). It makes more sense than a free will if you want a trust in a state FreeWill does not cover, or paid guidance. For a simple will, free is often enough. See our full FreeWill vs Trust & Will comparison and our Trust & Will review.
Other services, such as LegalZoom, Rocket Lawyer and Nolo, also sell estate planning documents; compare their current prices on their own sites. If you also need a range of other legal forms, our LawDepot review covers that subscription option, and our roundup of best free will makers compares other free tools.
Whatever you choose, review the plan after marriage, divorce, a new child or a move to a different state, and keep your beneficiary designations current, since they override a will. See our beneficiary designations guide.
Yes. FreeWill says its tools are 100% free with no credit card required, and that it is supported by nonprofit and business partners. It will prompt you to consider leaving a charitable gift, but you are not required to include one.
FreeWill says it partners with more than 2,400 nonprofits and businesses that support its mission and help keep the tools free for users. It also says it does not sell your personal data.
FreeWill says a will is valid once you print it and sign it in front of two witnesses, with Louisiana requiring two witnesses plus a notary public. Requirements vary by state, so confirm the rules where you live.
Only to California residents. In other states FreeWill offers wills, healthcare directives, financial powers of attorney and beneficiary designation tools.
No. It is a self-service tool. FreeWill says it will point out where an attorney may be a better fit and provides a summary you can take to a lawyer.
Yes, FreeWill lists naming a guardian for your children as something its will can do. A guardian nomination is a request a court considers, so choose carefully and talk to the person first.
People with complex estates, blended families, expected disputes, business interests or property in several states should talk to an estate planning attorney. People who want a trust outside California need a different service.
Trust & Will is one option, listing a Will Plan from $199 and a Trust Plan from $499 as of November 2026, with optional attorney support. Check current pricing before you buy.
Not legal advice. This article is general information, not legal advice, and no document guarantees any outcome. Laws differ by state; consult a licensed attorney about your situation.
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