📍 Florida Estate Planning Guide

Best Online Will Makers in Florida 2026

State-specific probate laws, tax rules, and our top-ranked will & trust services for Florida residents — tested and reviewed.

✍️ Updated June 2026 ⚖️ Florida Law Reviewed 👥 5 Services Compared
Our Top Pick for Florida
Trust & Will
Why: Handles florida's unique homestead rules and provides florida-specific trust documents.
Get Started with Trust & Will →

Why Estate Planning Matters in Florida

Creating a will or living trust is one of the most important financial decisions you can make for your family. Without a valid will, Florida's intestacy laws — not your wishes — determine who inherits your assets, who raises your children, and how your estate is distributed.

The good news: online will makers have made legal estate planning accessible to every Florida resident at a fraction of traditional attorney costs ($89–$399 vs. $1,500–$5,000+ for a traditional estate attorney).

⚠️ Florida-Specific Note: Florida's Homestead law provides strong protections for the primary residence — it cannot be left to anyone except a spouse or minor child if you have a spouse/minor child. This is a CRITICAL consideration for Florida estate planning.

Florida Estate Planning Laws

⚖️ Florida Key Facts

Probate in Florida

Florida probate can be expensive and time-consuming — attorney fees are set by statute (3% on first $1M of estate value). Florida has two probate options: formal administration and summary administration (estates under $75,000 or 2+ years after death). Living trusts are very popular in Florida.

A revocable living trust is the most effective way to avoid probate entirely in Florida. Assets held in a trust pass directly to beneficiaries outside of court — saving time, legal fees, and the stress of probate proceedings.

Florida Estate & Inheritance Tax

Florida has no state estate tax, no income tax, and no inheritance tax — one of the most tax-friendly states for retirees.

Medicaid Asset Protection in Florida

Florida Medicaid has a 5-year lookback. Florida is an income cap state for long-term care Medicaid — a Miller Trust (Qualified Income Trust) is required if income exceeds $2,829/month (2026).

If you or a family member may need nursing home care in the future, Medicaid planning in Florida should be part of your estate plan. Speak with a licensed elder law attorney for personalized advice.

Quick Comparison: Best Will Makers for Florida

Top Will & Trust Services for Florida Residents
Service Score Will Price Trust Price State-Specific Link
LegalZoom 9.1/10 $89 $279 ~ View Deal
Nolo's WillMaker 8.7/10 $99 $249 ~ View Deal
LawDepot 8.3/10 $49 $149 ~ View Deal
Fabric by Gerber 7.8/10 Free N/A ~ View Deal

Detailed Reviews: Best Will Services for Florida

Our team reviewed each service based on Florida-specific document accuracy, ease of use, price, customer support, and compliance with Florida's will signing requirements.

LegalZoom

Most trusted brand — 4M+ customers, publicly traded

9.1/10
Will$89
Trust$279
4M+ customersAttorney-draftedState-specificNASDAQ: LZAttorney access add-on
  • ✓ Most recognized brand
  • ✓ Strong state-specific docs
  • ✓ Attorney network access
  • ✓ Long track record
  • ✗ Attorney consult costs extra
  • ✗ Upsell-heavy interface
Get Started with LegalZoom →

Nolo's WillMaker

Best value — one-time purchase, no subscription

8.7/10
Will$99
Trust$249
One-time purchaseNo subscriptionTrusted since 1971State-specificSoftware download
  • ✓ No recurring fees
  • ✓ Nolo's authoritative legal reputation
  • ✓ Good for DIY users
  • ✓ Comprehensive questionnaire
  • ✗ Desktop software feel
  • ✗ Less modern UI
  • ✗ Limited live support
Get Started with Nolo's WillMaker →

LawDepot

Best for single documents — pay per form

8.3/10
Will$49
Trust$149
Pay per documentState-specific formsInstant downloadSubscription optionWidely used
  • ✓ Lowest per-document cost
  • ✓ Flexible — pay only for what you need
  • ✓ Fast and simple
  • ✗ Less guidance than competitors
  • ✗ No attorney review
  • ✗ Subscription auto-renews
Get Started with LawDepot →

Fabric by Gerber

Best free option — basic will at no cost

7.8/10
WillFree
TrustN/A
Free willLife insurance integrationMobile-firstGuardianship focusParents-focused
  • ✓ Completely free basic will
  • ✓ Great for young parents
  • ✓ Integrated life insurance quotes
  • ✗ No living trust
  • ✗ Limited customization
  • ✗ Life insurance upsell
Get Started with Fabric by Gerber →

How to Create a Valid Will in Florida

Creating a legally valid will in Florida requires following specific formalities. Here's what you need:

  1. Be of legal age: You must be 18 or older (or legally emancipated) to create a will in Florida.
  2. Sound mind: You must be of "sound mind" — understanding what a will is, what you own, and who your heirs are.
  3. Written document: Florida requires a written (typed or printed) will. Most states also recognize handwritten (holographic) wills.
  4. Signature: Sign your will at the end. If you cannot sign, someone may sign in your presence at your direction.
  5. Witnesses: 2 witnesses required; notarization for self-proving status.
  6. Safe storage: Store your original will somewhere safe. Tell your executor where to find it. Consider filing it with the Florida court if your state allows it.

Will vs. Living Trust in Florida

Both wills and living trusts are valid estate planning tools in Florida, but they serve different purposes:

Will vs. Trust Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions: Wills & Trusts in Florida

What is the best online will maker for Florida residents?
Trust & Will is our top pick for Florida residents — it handles Florida's unique homestead rules and provides Florida-specific trust documents. Their documents are attorney-reviewed and designed to meet Florida's specific legal requirements. Starting at $199 for a complete individual plan, it's significantly less than hiring a local estate planning attorney.
Are online wills legal in Florida?
Yes — online wills are legally valid in Florida when properly executed. You must follow Florida's signing requirements: 2 witnesses required; notarization for self-proving status. Reputable online services like Trust & Will and LegalZoom provide state-specific instructions to ensure your will meets all Florida legal requirements.
How does probate work in Florida?
Florida probate can be expensive and time-consuming — attorney fees are set by statute (3% on first $1M of estate value). Florida has two probate options: formal administration and summary administration (estates under $75,000 or 2+ years after death). Living trusts are very popular in Florida. A living trust is the most effective way to avoid the Florida probate process entirely.
Does Florida have an estate or inheritance tax?
Florida has no state estate tax, no income tax, and no inheritance tax — one of the most tax-friendly states for retirees.
What happens if I die without a will in Florida?
Intestate succession: surviving spouse gets everything if no descendants, or if all descendants are also descendants of the spouse; otherwise split. Dying without a will (intestate) in Florida means the courts decide who gets your assets, who raises your children, and who manages your estate — which may not match your wishes. Creating even a basic will prevents this.
How does Medicaid planning affect my estate in Florida?
Florida Medicaid has a 5-year lookback. Florida is an income cap state for long-term care Medicaid — a Miller Trust (Qualified Income Trust) is required if income exceeds $2,829/month (2026). Proper planning — including irrevocable trusts, spousal protection strategies, and Medicaid-compliant annuities — can significantly protect your estate from nursing home costs while maintaining eligibility for Florida Medicaid benefits.

Next Steps for Florida Residents

Ready to protect your family? Here's what to do:

  1. Choose a service: Trust & Will is our top recommendation for Florida residents.
  2. Gather information: List your assets, beneficiaries, and executor choices before starting.
  3. Complete your documents: Follow the state-specific instructions for Florida signing requirements.
  4. Execute properly: Sign with your witnesses (2 witnesses required; notarization for self-proving status.) and keep the original safe.
  5. Review periodically: Update your will after major life events (marriage, divorce, birth, significant asset changes).

Protect Your Florida Family Today

Start your will or trust in minutes — Trust & Will is attorney-reviewed and valid in Florida.

Get Started with Trust & Will →

Disclosure: Law-Trust.com earns a referral fee from some services on this page. This does not affect our editorial independence — we only recommend services we've reviewed. See our editorial policy. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed Florida attorney for personalized estate planning guidance.