For many people, a straightforward Will is a great fit — and EveryWill is built for exactly that.
With our free online Will-writing platform, you can:
- Leave your estate to the people and causes you choose — dividing your residuary estate between them in the proportions you want, and naming alternates in case a beneficiary can't take their share.
- Leave specific gifts — a sum of money or a personal item — to a particular person or charity.
- Name your executor and an alternate executor — the people you trust to carry out your wishes.
- Name a guardian and alternate guardian for children under 18.
- Provide for young beneficiaries — the Will created by our platform provides for a minor's share to be managed by an adult until they're old enough to receive it under your state's law.
- Record your funeral wishes.
- Update it any time, for free — sign in and make changes whenever your circumstances change.
Your Will document and its signing instructions are tailored to the state you choose, and the guided steps walk you through everything — no legal expertise needed.
However, there are some circumstances where you may wish to seek tailored advice from an estate planning attorney. These include, but aren't limited to:
Your estate or assets:
- You own a business, or have a large or complex estate.
- Your estate may be subject to federal or state estate taxes, or may be larger than the estate and gift tax exemption.
- You own property jointly with someone other than your spouse.
- You have assets overseas.
- You have a prenuptial or similar agreement that significantly affects how your assets are held.
Your family and beneficiaries:
- You have a blended family.
- You'd like to leave a close family member little or nothing.
- A beneficiary has additional needs.
- You'd like a minor child's inheritance to be released gradually — including past the age your state's law provides.
- Someone in a position of trust or care — such as your caregiver, doctor, or attorney — would be a beneficiary of your Will.
Your circumstances:
- You're going through a divorce or separation, or expect a dispute over your estate.
- You're undergoing medical treatment that could later raise questions about your capacity to make a Will.
- You're physically unable to sign the Will yourself.
- You don't have access to witnesses.
- You have, or would like to set up, a trust.
It's also worth knowing that a Will is just one estate planning tool. Depending on your goals, other options — such as a revocable living trust, beneficiary designations on financial accounts, or planning for estate and gift taxes — may work alongside a Will or, in some situations, suit your needs better. For example, some people use trusts to manage how and when assets pass to beneficiaries, to provide for a loved one with additional needs, or to address tax considerations. An estate planning attorney or tax professional in your state can help you understand which tools fit your circumstances.
If you need personalized legal advice, or if a custom-drafted Will (one prepared specifically for your needs by an attorney) would be a better fit for you, consider consulting an estate planning attorney in your state.
For more information about our free Will-writing platform, visit our Help Center.
EveryWill is not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. This article is provided for educational purposes only; it is not, and should not be taken as, legal, tax, or financial advice. Laws vary by state and change over time, and this article is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney licensed in your state who knows your circumstances. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship with EveryWill. Use of EveryWill’s platform and services is subject to its Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.