How Much Does a Living Will Cost? (And Why Ours Is Free)

One of the most common reasons people put off creating a living will is the assumption that it will be expensive. The good news: it does not have to cost anything at all. The better news: even the “expensive” options are not as costly as most people expect. Here is an honest breakdown of every common path to a living will, and what you can expect to pay for each.

Option 1: Hire an estate planning attorney - $200 to $500+

Hiring a lawyer to draft a living will is the most expensive option. Standalone living wills typically run $200 to $500, depending on your location and the attorney’s rates. If you bundle the living will with a broader estate planning package - including a will, healthcare power of attorney, and financial power of attorney - expect $500 to $2,000 or more.

When it makes sense: If you have complex medical preferences, unusual family circumstances, significant assets, or you simply want professional reassurance, an attorney is a reasonable investment. For most people in straightforward situations, however, it is overkill.

Option 2: Online legal services - $40 to $150

Companies like LegalZoom, Rocket Lawyer, and Trust & Will offer living will templates for somewhere between $40 and $150, sometimes as part of a monthly subscription. These services walk you through a questionnaire and produce a state-specific document.

The catch: Many of these services are designed to upsell you into a monthly membership, bundle additional documents you may not need, or charge extra for revisions and downloads. Read the fine print carefully before signing up.

Option 3: State-provided forms - $0

Many states publish official living will forms for free through their attorney general, health department, or aging services agency. These forms are legally valid and cost nothing. The downside is that they are usually generic PDFs you have to print and fill out by hand, with no guidance on what each section means or how to express your preferences clearly.

Option 4: Free guided generators (like ours) - $0

A free guided generator combines the cost advantage of a state form with the clarity of an online service. You answer questions in plain language, the tool produces a properly formatted document for your state, and you download it to print and sign. No subscription, no upsell, no hidden fees.

Why we built ours this way: A living will is a basic act of care for your family. It should not be locked behind a paywall. We do not store your data, we do not ask for an account, and we do not charge anything - ever.

The hidden cost: notarization and witnesses

Whatever path you choose, you may still need to pay a small fee to make your document legally binding in your state. Most states require either two adult witnesses, a notary, or both.

• Witnesses: Free. Most states require two adults who are not your healthcare agent and, in many cases, not related to you or named in your will.
• Notary: Typically $5 to $25. Available at banks (often free for customers), shipping stores, libraries, and through online notary services.

The real cost is not creating one

The most expensive scenario is not paying $500 for an attorney. It is the financial, emotional, and legal cost your family pays if you become incapacitated without a living will. Hospital stays without clear directives can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars. Family disputes over treatment decisions can fracture relationships permanently. Court-appointed guardianship proceedings can cost thousands and take months.

By comparison, spending fifteen minutes with a free generator is the highest-leverage decision you can make for your family’s future. The price of inaction is far higher than the price of any living will.