Willing.com Review: An Attorney’s Take on My $28 Online Will
Is a $28 online will from Willing.com a smart budget move or legal risk? An attorney's honest review reveals the truth.
By The Penny Hoarder Staff | Updated January 2026
Making a will doesn’t have to break the bank, but can a $28 online service like Willing.com deliver a legally sound document? We put it to the test by purchasing a deal through Groupon, creating a will, and handing it over to an estate planning attorney for a professional review. Here’s what happened, straight from the process and the lawyer’s mouth.
What Is Willing.com?
Willing.com is an online platform that simplifies estate planning by guiding users through creating customized legal documents like wills, powers of attorney, and advance healthcare directives. Launched to make estate planning accessible, it uses a questionnaire-style interface to generate state-specific documents starting at $69, with discounts often available via Groupon or promotions bringing costs as low as $28.
The service targets individuals with straightforward estates—no complex trusts, international assets, or special needs dependents. Users answer questions about their assets, beneficiaries, and wishes, and the software auto-generates a downloadable PDF will. Willing.com emphasizes ease: no attorney consultations required, and documents are designed to comply with state laws.
- Key Features:
- State-specific wills and forms
- Unlimited updates for one year
- Digital storage and sharing
- Upcoming online notarization (available in select states like Nevada as of late 2023)
- Optional add-ons like living trusts
According to the company’s legal team, their templates cover 95% of common scenarios, backed by research into high-impact estate planning elements.
How I Made My Will on Willing.com
The process felt like filling out sophisticated Mad Libs—answer a question, choose from options, fill in a name. Repeat. It took about 20-30 minutes on my laptop during a lunch break.
- Sign Up and Start: Purchased the $28 Groupon deal, created an account, and selected my state.
- Questionnaire: Input personal details, assets (bank accounts, retirement, personal items), beneficiaries, executor, and guardians for hypothetical kids. Typing a name once populates it via dropdown later—smart and efficient.
- Custom Choices: Specified funeral wishes (leave to family), body donation (to science), and pet care instructions.
- Review and Download: Previewed the draft, made tweaks, and downloaded the PDF with signing instructions. Minutes later, I had a 10-page document ready for witnesses and notary.
No jargon overload; prompts were clear, like “Who should care for your pets if you’re unable?” The interface prevented common errors, such as duplicate beneficiaries.
“Willing made 95% of the work effortless. The rest—notarizing and witnesses—is on you, but that’s standard for any will.”
— Tester’s Experience
Taking It to an Attorney: The Expert Review
Before signing, I met with estate attorney Sarah Diamond (name changed for privacy), who has 15+ years reviewing wills. She scrutinized my document line-by-line. Here’s her breakdown:
The Good Stuff
- Sound Mind Clause: Asserts I’m of sound mind—essential for validity.
- Revocation Language: Revokes prior wills, preventing conflicts.
- Executor Powers: Clearly defines executor’s authority to manage estate, sell property, pay debts.
- Residuary Clause: Handles leftover assets smartly, avoiding intestacy.
- State Compliance: Matches Nevada requirements for self-proving affidavits.
Diamond nodded approvingly: “For a basic estate, this covers the essentials without fluff.”
The Red Flags
Not all smooth. She circled issues that could cause probate headaches:
| Issue | Problem | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Retirement Accounts | Will lists beneficiaries, but doesn’t override account’s own designations. | Update beneficiary forms directly with provider. |
| Body Donation | “Donate to science” too vague—no specific institution named. | List exact org (e.g., Body Donate Program at UNLV). |
| Funeral Wishes | “Family decides” is fine but add specifics like cremation preference. | Detail in will or separate letter. |
| Asset Specificity | Lumps ‘personal property’—risks disputes. | Itemizes valuables or uses no-contest clause. |
“Wills don’t control non-probate assets like IRAs or life insurance,” Diamond explained. Mismatch means account beneficiaries win, ignoring the will.
Online Wills: Budget-Savvy or Bunk?
For my simple setup (single adult, modest assets, no kids), Willing.com nailed it at $28 vs. $500+ for attorney-drafted. Attorney Delgado from Willing.com notes their research prioritizes key features for most users.
But Diamond cautions: “Value depends on complexity. Casual blanks-filling misses nuances, leading to costly probate fights.” Mistakes amplify via court challenges—potentially $10K+ in fees.
- Ideal For: Young professionals, simple estates under $100K, healthy couples.
- Avoid If: High net worth (>$10M), blended families, special needs kids, businesses, international property.
Stats show 60% of adults lack wills; online tools boost completion rates by 5x. Pair with free consults for hybrids.
Cost Comparison: Willing.com vs. Alternatives
| Service | Base Price | Includes | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Willing.com | $69 ($28 Groupon) | Will + updates | Simple estates |
| LegalZoom | $99+ | Will + attorney review | Moderate complexity |
| Trust & Will | $159 | Will + trust bundle | Families |
| Local Attorney | $400-$1,500 | Custom + advice | Complex needs |
| Free (e.g., FreeWill) | $0 | Basic will | Charity donors |
Willing wins on price; competitors add attorney access.
Legal Validity and Next Steps
All 50 states recognize DIY wills if signed, witnessed (2 disinterested parties), and notarized. Nevada’s 2023 law enables remote options via Willing. Steps post-download:
- Print 3 originals.
- Sign in front of 2 witnesses + notary.
- Distribute copies to executor, attorney, safe deposit.
- Update beneficiaries on accounts/policies.
- Review every 5 years or life event.
Real User Experiences
Reviews praise ease: “Created in 15 mins, saved hundreds!” (YouTube, 2019). Critics note limits for complexity. BBB rates similar services A- for responsiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is a Willing.com will legally binding?
Yes, if properly signed, witnessed, and notarized per state law. It generates compliant templates, but execution is on you.
Can I update my will after purchase?
Yes, unlimited revisions for 12 months. Thereafter, $39 for changes.
Does it cover everything an attorney would?
No—for simple cases only. Complex estates need pros to avoid probate pitfalls.
What if I have kids or pets?
Yes, designates guardians and caretakers. Specify funds for pets explicitly.
Is Groupon deal still available?
Often; check for $28-$39 steals. Regular price $69.
Final Verdict: Worth It?
For budget-savvy folks with basic needs, Willing.com is a win—fast, cheap, mostly solid. Get attorney review for peace of mind. Estate planning under $100 beats dying intestate. Start today; regret nothing.
References
- Working at The Penny Hoarder: Employee Reviews — Indeed.com. 2024-08-02. https://www.indeed.com/cmp/The-Penny-Hoarder/reviews
- The Penny Hoarder on Quora — Connor Tumbleson. 2022-09-05. https://connortumbleson.com/2022/09/05/the-penny-hoarder-on-quora/
- Willing.com Review: An Attorney’s Take — The Penny Hoarder. 2023. https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/save-money/willing-com-reviews/
- The Penny Hoarder BBB Profile — Better Business Bureau. 2024. https://www.bbb.org/us/fl/saint-petersburg/profile/publishers-internet-guide/the-penny-hoarder-0653-90159968
- 5 Estate Planning Moves Under $100 — The Penny Hoarder. 2023. https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/retirement/estate-planning/
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