📍 New Jersey Estate Planning Guide
Best Online Will Makers in New Jersey 2026
State-specific probate laws, tax rules, and our top-ranked will & trust services for New Jersey residents — tested and reviewed.
✍️ Updated June 2026
⚖️ New Jersey Law Reviewed
👥 5 Services Compared
Why Estate Planning Matters in New Jersey
Creating a will or living trust is one of the most important financial decisions you can make for your family. Without a valid will, New Jersey'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 New Jersey resident at a fraction of traditional attorney costs ($89–$399 vs. $1,500–$5,000+ for a traditional estate attorney).
⚠️ New Jersey-Specific Note: New Jersey's elimination of the estate tax was a major improvement, but the inheritance tax on siblings and non-relatives remains. Trust planning can help minimize inheritance tax exposure for these beneficiaries.
New Jersey Estate Planning Laws
⚖️ New Jersey Key Facts
- Probate System: New Jersey Surrogate's Court handles probate. New Jersey has a relatively efficient probate process with no court hearing required in most cases.
- Estate & Inheritance Tax: New Jersey eliminated its estate tax in 2018. However, New Jersey still has an inheritance tax — siblings pay 11–16%, and non-relatives pay 15–16%.
- Will Signing Requirements: 2 witnesses required; notarization for self-proving status.
- Inheritance Rules: Surviving spouse and children are exempt from inheritance tax; siblings pay 11–16%; friends pay 15–16%.
Probate in New Jersey
New Jersey Surrogate's Court handles probate. New Jersey has a relatively efficient probate process with no court hearing required in most cases.
A revocable living trust is the most effective way to avoid probate entirely in New Jersey. Assets held in a trust pass directly to beneficiaries outside of court — saving time, legal fees, and the stress of probate proceedings.
New Jersey Estate & Inheritance Tax
New Jersey eliminated its estate tax in 2018. However, New Jersey still has an inheritance tax — siblings pay 11–16%, and non-relatives pay 15–16%.
Medicaid Asset Protection in New Jersey
New Jersey DMAHS Medicaid has a 5-year lookback with standard federal rules.
If you or a family member may need nursing home care in the future, Medicaid planning in New Jersey should be part of your estate plan. Speak with a licensed elder law attorney for personalized advice.
Quick Comparison: Best Will Makers for New Jersey
Top Will & Trust Services for New Jersey Residents
| Service |
Score |
Will Price |
Trust Price |
State-Specific |
Link |
| Editor's Choice Trust & Will |
9.4/10 |
$199 |
$399 |
✓ |
View Deal |
| 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 New Jersey
Our team reviewed each service based on New Jersey-specific document accuracy, ease of use, price, customer support, and compliance with New Jersey's will signing requirements.
★ Editor's Choice
Trust & Will
Best overall — attorney-reviewed, valid in all 50 states
9.4/10
Attorney-reviewed docsAll 50 statesPOA & healthcare directive includedFree updatesCouples plans available
- ✓ Most comprehensive package
- ✓ Excellent UX
- ✓ State-specific guidance built in
- ✓ 400K+ customers
- ✗ Pricier than basic options
- ✗ No attorney consultation included
Get Started with Trust & Will →
LegalZoom
Most trusted brand — 4M+ customers, publicly traded
9.1/10
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
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
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
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 New Jersey
Creating a legally valid will in New Jersey requires following specific formalities. Here's what you need:
- Be of legal age: You must be 18 or older (or legally emancipated) to create a will in New Jersey.
- Sound mind: You must be of "sound mind" — understanding what a will is, what you own, and who your heirs are.
- Written document: New Jersey requires a written (typed or printed) will. Most states also recognize handwritten (holographic) wills.
- Signature: Sign your will at the end. If you cannot sign, someone may sign in your presence at your direction.
- Witnesses: 2 witnesses required; notarization for self-proving status.
- Safe storage: Store your original will somewhere safe. Tell your executor where to find it. Consider filing it with the New Jersey court if your state allows it.
Will vs. Living Trust in New Jersey
Both wills and living trusts are valid estate planning tools in New Jersey, but they serve different purposes:
Will vs. Trust Comparison
- Will: Takes effect at death; goes through New Jersey probate; becomes public record; does not cover incapacity planning
- Living Trust: Avoids New Jersey probate entirely; remains private; can manage assets if you become incapacitated; more complex to set up but saves time and costs for beneficiaries
- Best for most New Jersey residents: A "pour-over will" combined with a revocable living trust — the will catches any assets not transferred to the trust, while the trust handles the bulk of your estate outside of probate
Frequently Asked Questions: Wills & Trusts in New Jersey
What is the best online will maker for New Jersey residents?
Trust & Will is our top pick for New Jersey residents — it New Jersey inheritance tax planning guidance and trust structures. Their documents are attorney-reviewed and designed to meet New Jersey'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 New Jersey?
Yes — online wills are legally valid in New Jersey when properly executed. You must follow New Jersey'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 New Jersey legal requirements.
How does probate work in New Jersey?
New Jersey Surrogate's Court handles probate. New Jersey has a relatively efficient probate process with no court hearing required in most cases. A living trust is the most effective way to avoid the New Jersey probate process entirely.
Does New Jersey have an estate or inheritance tax?
New Jersey eliminated its estate tax in 2018. However, New Jersey still has an inheritance tax — siblings pay 11–16%, and non-relatives pay 15–16%.
What happens if I die without a will in New Jersey?
Surviving spouse and children are exempt from inheritance tax; siblings pay 11–16%; friends pay 15–16%. Dying without a will (intestate) in New Jersey 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 New Jersey?
New Jersey DMAHS Medicaid has a 5-year lookback with standard federal rules. 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 New Jersey Medicaid benefits.
Next Steps for New Jersey Residents
Ready to protect your family? Here's what to do:
- Choose a service: Trust & Will is our top recommendation for New Jersey residents.
- Gather information: List your assets, beneficiaries, and executor choices before starting.
- Complete your documents: Follow the state-specific instructions for New Jersey signing requirements.
- Execute properly: Sign with your witnesses (2 witnesses required; notarization for self-proving status.) and keep the original safe.
- Review periodically: Update your will after major life events (marriage, divorce, birth, significant asset changes).
Protect Your New Jersey Family Today
Start your will or trust in minutes — Trust & Will is attorney-reviewed and valid in New Jersey.
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 New Jersey attorney for personalized estate planning guidance.