LegalZoom is the most recognized name in online legal services — and one of the most misunderstood on pricing. The advertised rates look low. A last will for $89, a living trust for $279, a power of attorney for $35. But the actual cost for most users ends up being noticeably higher than the headline prices suggest.
This guide gives you the complete picture: what LegalZoom charges, what each service actually includes, which fees are optional versus expected, and whether LegalZoom is worth the cost compared to alternatives. We'll also tell you when LegalZoom is genuinely the right choice and when you should look elsewhere.
LegalZoom earns its premium for users who need attorney access, brand assurance, or business formation services. For pure estate planning documents, LawDepot ($9.99/mo) or Trust & Will ($159–$399 flat) deliver comparable quality at better prices.
| Service | Advertised Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Last Will & Testament | $89 | Basic plan; attorney review extra |
| Living Trust (individual) | $279 | Most comprehensive DIY option; no attorney review |
| Power of Attorney | $35 | Financial or healthcare; per document |
| Healthcare Directive | $35 | Advance directive; per document |
| Personal Pro Subscription | $9.99/month | Unlimited docs, limited attorney Q&A; see details below |
| Attorney Review Add-On | $49–$149+ | Optional but frequently pushed during flow |
| LLC Formation | $0 + state fee | State filing fees vary ($50–$500) |
LegalZoom's $89 basic will plan includes the last will and testament document itself — attorney-drafted, state-specific, created through a guided questionnaire. No attorney review, no consultation, just the document.
The document is solid. LegalZoom's will template is professionally drafted, covers the standard provisions, and is valid when properly executed according to your state's requirements. For a straightforward will with no unusual provisions, the $89 document is legally adequate.
What changes between LegalZoom's will pricing tiers:
The $89 will is the starting point, but many users find themselves pushed toward higher tiers during the creation flow. LegalZoom surfaces upsell prompts throughout the process — attorney review offers, document editing features, ongoing subscription services. If you commit to the basic plan and decline all upsells, $89 is what you pay. In practice, many users spend $129–$159 by the time they complete checkout.
For comparison: Trust & Will charges $159 for an individual will plan that includes not just the will, but also a healthcare directive and financial POA. At $159 total vs LegalZoom's $89 will + $35 healthcare directive + $35 POA = $159 total, Trust & Will is identical in price for a more integrated experience.
LegalZoom's living trust at $279 is among the more expensive self-service options for this document. A revocable living trust is the core document for avoiding probate — it's essential for homeowners and anyone with significant assets who wants a clean transfer to beneficiaries without court involvement.
The $279 includes the trust document itself, a pour-over will (to capture any assets not formally titled in the trust), and a certificate of trust. This is a complete living trust package — the core documents are all present.
What it doesn't include is attorney review. If you want a licensed estate planning attorney to review your completed trust, that's an additional fee. For a $279 document, many users feel attorney review should be included — at LegalZoom, it's extra.
The $279 price also applies only to an individual trust. If you're a couple who wants trusts for both spouses, you're looking at $558 — significantly more than competitors. Trust & Will charges $399 for a Couples Trust Plan that covers both spouses completely.
LegalZoom's Personal Pro subscription at $9.99/month changes the value equation significantly for users who need multiple documents. For $9.99/month, you get:
At $9.99/month, the Personal Pro subscription is cost-competitive with LawDepot ($9.99/month) but provides a larger document library (350+ vs 170+) and some attorney access. If you're planning to create multiple documents — a will, trust, POA, and healthcare directive — the Personal Pro subscription is significantly cheaper than paying per document.
The caveat: the subscription auto-renews, and some users report difficulty canceling. Set a calendar reminder before signing up if you're only planning to create documents during one billing cycle and then cancel.
The attorney Q&A through Personal Pro is limited — 30 minutes per year is much less than Rocket Lawyer's 30 minutes per month at $39.99/mo. If attorney access is a priority, Rocket Lawyer is the better subscription.
LegalZoom's differentiated value proposition is its attorney network. Unlike LawDepot or basic Nolo WillMaker, LegalZoom can connect you with a licensed attorney for document review, legal Q&A, and consultation services. But this comes at additional cost.
The attorney services are legitimately valuable and legitimately expensive when added to base document prices. A $89 will with $149 attorney review is a $238 will. At that price, Trust & Will's $159 Individual Will Plan (which includes all three core documents) is a significantly better value — even without attorney review.
LegalZoom is not a deceptive company — it's publicly traded and accountable. But its platform is designed to surface additional services throughout the document creation process. Users who aren't paying attention can find their total cost significantly exceeds what they expected.
None of these are hidden in a deceptive sense — they're disclosed before you pay. But they require careful attention during checkout. The practical advice: decide exactly what you need before starting, decline everything that wasn't in your original plan, and read each checkout screen carefully.
| Service | Complete Estate Plan Cost | Includes Attorney? |
|---|---|---|
| Estate Planning Attorney | $1,000–$3,000+ | Yes — full representation |
| LegalZoom (per-document) | $159–$438+ | Add-on ($49–$149 extra) |
| LegalZoom Personal Pro | $9.99/month (ongoing) | 30 min/year included |
| Trust & Will | $299–$399 (couples) | Add-on available |
| Rocket Lawyer | $39.99/month | 30 min/month included |
| LawDepot | $9.99/month | None |
| Nolo WillMaker | $99 one-time (couples) | None |
LegalZoom is worth it in specific scenarios. It's not automatically the right choice just because it's the most recognizable name.
LegalZoom is worth it when:
LegalZoom may not be worth it when:
LawDepot gives you access to 170+ attorney-drafted legal documents — including wills, trusts, and POAs — for just $9.99/month. That's the same as LegalZoom's Personal Pro, with a more transparent, no-upsell experience.
Try LawDepot for $9.99/month →