Nolo WillMaker Review 2026: Still Worth It?

Q: How much does Nolo WillMaker cost in 2026?

Nolo WillMaker costs $99.99 for a one-year subscription (or purchase) that covers one household. The Plus version (which includes a living trust) costs $149.99/year. There's no ongoing monthly fee — you pay annually and can use the software as many times as you want during that period. New versions release annually with updated state laws.

Q: What documents does Nolo WillMaker include?

WillMaker includes: Last Will & Testament, Healthcare Directive, Durable Financial Power of Attorney, Healthcare Power of Attorney, Final Arrangements document, and Information for Caregivers and Survivors document. The WillMaker Plus version also includes a Revocable Living Trust. All documents are state-specific.

Q: How does Nolo WillMaker compare to Trust & Will?

Nolo WillMaker is better if: you prefer a one-time/annual purchase, you want to plan for an unlimited number of family members in one household, or you value Nolo's decades of legal publishing credibility. Trust & Will is better if: you want a modern, cloud-based experience, you want lifetime document access with no annual renewal, or you prefer a more guided estate planning process.

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✍️ Law-Trust.com Editorial Team · Editorial Policy · Last reviewed: March 2026

Nolo has been publishing legal self-help books and software since 1971 — making them one of the oldest names in DIY legal services. Their WillMaker software predates the internet, and they've continuously updated it to stay relevant. In 2026, Nolo WillMaker remains the gold standard for desktop-based estate planning software.

But is desktop software still relevant in a world of cloud-based services? And how does WillMaker stack up against modern competitors like Trust & Will? We put it to the test.

Nolo WillMaker at a Glance

Nolo WillMaker Plus 2026

8.3/10

Best for households wanting comprehensive estate planning software with a one-time/annual fee

Annual fee $149.99

All 50 States Will + Living Trust Healthcare Directive Financial POA Whole Household Annual Updates 50+ Years Reputation

Nolo WillMaker Plus is the best option for households where multiple family members want estate planning documents. One purchase covers an entire household — spouses, parents, and adult children can all create their own documents. The annual fee model and desktop software feel dated compared to cloud-based competitors, but the legal quality and comprehensive guidance remain excellent.

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Nolo WillMaker Score Breakdown

Ease of Use

7.8

Document Coverage

9.0

Price / Value

9.0

Legal Education

9.5

Legal Quality

9.2

What's Included in WillMaker 2026?

WillMaker (Basic) — $99.99/year

Last Will & Testament (all 50 states)
Healthcare Directive / Living Will
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Durable Financial Power of Attorney
Final Arrangements Document
Information for Caregivers and Survivors (a practical guide for your executor)
Unlimited use for one household

WillMaker Plus — $149.99/year

Everything in the basic version, plus:

Revocable Living Trust
Trust Transfer Deed (for real estate in California)
Trust Certification document
Pour-Over Will

What Makes WillMaker Unique

1. Legal Education Throughout

Nolo's publishing heritage shines through in WillMaker. Every decision point includes detailed explanations of the law, why the decision matters, and what different choices mean. This isn't just "answer this question" — it's genuinely educational. After completing WillMaker, you understand your estate plan in a way that's hard to achieve with simpler services.

2. Whole Household Coverage

One WillMaker purchase covers an entire household. Spouses can create separate wills and healthcare directives. Parents can help their adult children create estate plans. Everyone in the household can create their own complete set of documents with one annual purchase — a significant value advantage for families.

3. "Information for Caregivers" Document

This underrated feature generates a practical guide for whoever manages your affairs after you die or become incapacitated. It includes your account information, location of important documents, your executor's contact information, and special instructions. It's essentially a roadmap that makes the executor's job far easier.

4. Annual Updates for Changing Laws

Estate law changes constantly. Nolo releases a new version of WillMaker annually, updating documents for each state's current laws. The annual fee ($99.99–$149.99) keeps your software current — you're not relying on a 3-year-old template.

The Desktop Software Experience: Honestly Dated

Let's be direct: WillMaker's desktop interface feels like 2010 software in 2026. The user experience is functional but not modern. There's no mobile app, no cloud sync, and the install process feels clunky compared to opening a browser and starting Trust & Will's guided questionnaire.

Nolo has added an online version for some documents, but the desktop software remains the primary product and most comprehensive version. If you value aesthetics and modern UX, WillMaker will frustrate you. If you value comprehensive legal content and don't mind an older interface, it delivers.

Pros and Cons of Nolo WillMaker

✅ Pros

Annual fee covers entire household — exceptional family value
More educational content than any competing service
50+ years of Nolo legal credibility
Excellent document quality and state-specific accuracy
Works offline — no internet required after download
Annual updates keep documents current with law changes
Information for Caregivers document is a unique, valuable addition

❌ Cons

Desktop software feels dated — not modern UX
No mobile app or cloud sync
Annual renewal required to use updated versions
No attorney access included
Trust funding guidance less robust than Trust & Will
Less polished than cloud-based competitors
Installation required — not instant access like web services

Who Should Use Nolo WillMaker?

Families where multiple household members need estate planning documents — the household license is unbeatable value
People who want to learn about estate planning, not just fill out forms — WillMaker's educational approach is exceptional
Those who prefer offline software — works without internet, keeps your documents on your own computer
Legal professionals helping clients understand their documents — Nolo's explanations are attorney-grade
Annual planners who want to review and update documents yearly alongside renewing their software

Who Should Skip Nolo WillMaker?

Individuals who just need a quick will or trust — Trust & Will is faster, cleaner, and doesn't require software installation
Mobile-first users — no mobile app or modern cloud experience
Those who want attorney access — LegalZoom or Rocket Lawyer offer attorney Q&A
Single users who don't need household coverage — the value proposition is less strong for one person

Compare Nolo WillMaker vs. Top Alternatives

See how WillMaker stacks up against Trust & Will, LawDepot, and LegalZoom with our full side-by-side comparison.

See Full Comparison →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Nolo WillMaker cost in 2026?

Nolo WillMaker costs $99.99/year for the standard version and $149.99/year for WillMaker Plus (which includes a living trust). One purchase covers an entire household — all family members can create their own documents. Annual renewal keeps your software current with the latest state laws. Discounts are often available through Nolo's website.

Is Nolo WillMaker software or online?

Nolo WillMaker is primarily desktop software for Windows and Mac — downloaded and installed on your computer. This means it works offline and keeps documents on your own device. Nolo has added limited online functionality in recent versions, but the desktop version remains the most comprehensive. If you want a pure web-based experience, consider Trust & Will or LawDepot.

What documents does Nolo WillMaker include?

WillMaker Plus includes: Last Will & Testament, Revocable Living Trust, Healthcare Directive, Durable Financial POA, Healthcare POA, Final Arrangements document, Information for Caregivers and Survivors, Pour-Over Will, and Trust Certification. All documents are state-specific and updated annually. The household license means all family members can create their own complete document sets.

How does Nolo WillMaker compare to Trust & Will?

Nolo WillMaker wins on: household coverage, educational content, legal credibility, and offline functionality. Trust & Will wins on: user experience, cloud access, trust funding guidance, and modern design. WillMaker is better for families or those who want to understand the legal reasoning behind their documents. Trust & Will is better for individuals who want a polished, guided experience and lifetime cloud access.

Does Nolo WillMaker work for all 50 states?

Yes — Nolo WillMaker covers all 50 states plus Washington D.C. The software automatically adjusts documents based on your state's laws. Annual updates reflect changes in state estate and probate laws. Nolo's legal research team reviews each state's laws every year to ensure compliance — their 50+ year track record in legal publishing means state law accuracy is a core strength.