A wills attorney charges $300 to $1,000 to write a will, or $150 to $400 per hour on average. If you have an estate with significant or complex assets, you may pay closer to $500 to $5,000 for writing the will and attorney services to make sure your estate is protected after your death.

A holographic will, or one that you type or hand write yourself without witnesses, is free. However, not all states recognize holographic wills. If you write one yourself, you run the risk of accidentally creating something that isn’t legally valid and having your possessions distributed according to state regulations instead of your desires.

An affordable, simple alternative is will-writing software or online programs, which cost $0 to $50 for a simple will or $100 to $300 for more complex estates. These programs or websites give you guidance and peace of mind while costing much less than hiring an attorney.

You do not necessarily need an attorney to write a will, but it is recommended. A will, or last will and testament, dictates how your property, finances, and custody of children is handled after you die. An attorney charges roughly the same as online will-writing software for simple wills and provides more peace of mind.

Writing a will yourself costs $0 to $50 for simple online forms or $100 to $300 for will-writing software. This option is best for basic wills with no minor children or complex assets. DIY wills carry the risk of not conforming to local probate laws, which may result in a loss of assets for your beneficiaries.

You will need to bring a variety of financial and legal documents to your attorney, which will vary depending on your situation and number of assets. These documents may include:

• Bank account information
• Insurance policies
• Investments
• Retirement account information
• List of assets
• Debts and liabilities
• List of beneficiaries (family, friends, or charities)
• Name of desired executor and/or guardian of any minors

Your attorney can be the executor of your will, depending on state or local laws, but it is not required. Many attorneys are unable to be a trustee or executor because of ethical reasons or a conflict of interest. Instead, clients can choose a trusted friend or family member to make sure their will is followed after death.

An attorney can write a will from another state, as long as they know and follow the laws of the state you live in. Local probate laws tend to vary, so you may want to change or update your will if you move to a new state. If nothing else, check your current state's laws to make sure your will conforms to them.

Someone with power of attorney does not have the authority to change or override a valid will. Power of attorney gives someone the permission to make financial decisions or manage health care, depending on how much power you give them. However, the only person that can make changes to a valid will is you.

Start by searching our list of attorneys, then:

• Get at least three free estimates to compare.
• Read reviews and previous cases on Thervo and Google.
• Choose an attorney with a good reputation and experience with estate planning.
• Make sure they passed the bar and are qualified to represent you.
• Get a written estimate before any casework takes place.
• Coordinate a payment schedule instead of making a large payment up front.

After asking questions and verifying credentials, hire the best wills attorney in your area.

When looking for local attorneys, consider asking the following questions:

• How long have you been in practice?
• How much experience do you have in estate planning and will writing?
• When did you pass the bar?
• Do you charge a flat fee for simple wills?
• How long will this take to draw up?
• What documents do I need to bring to draw up the will?
• Will you give me an estimate and contract in writing?