How Much is a Basic Will? (And Why That’s the Wrong Question)
If you’ve ever typed “How much is a basic will?” into Google, you’re not alone.
It’s a completely reasonable place to start. You know you need something. You want to do the right thing for your family. And like any responsible consumer, you want to know what it costs.
But here’s the truth:
“How much is a basic will?” is a little like asking, “How much is an airbag?”
It’s part of the vehicle.
But it’s not the vehicle.
And ideally, it’s a part of the vehicle that you never have to worry about.
Let’s unpack why.
The Will Is Important — But It’s Not the Star of the Show
A Last Will and Testament does a few key things:
Names an executor
Directs who receives assets in your probate estate
Nominates guardians for minor children
Catches assets that weren’t properly titled
Those are meaningful responsibilities.
But here’s what most people don’t realize:
A will only controls assets that pass through probate.
If your home is jointly owned, if your retirement accounts have beneficiaries, if your life insurance has a named payable-on-death (“POD”) recipient — those assets do not pass under your will.
In fact, in a well-designed estate plan, your will ideally controls very little.
That surprises people. It shouldn’t.
Why “How Much Is a Basic Will?” Misses the Bigger Picture
When someone asks about the cost of a basic will, what they’re really asking is:
“How do I make sure my family is okay?”
“How do I avoid a mess?”
“How do I do this responsibly without overspending?”
Those are good instincts.
But focusing only on the will is like pricing the cheapest part of a much larger system.
A comprehensive estate plan typically includes:
A Revocable Living Trust (for many families)
A Pour-Over Will
Financial Power of Attorney
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Living Will
Beneficiary coordination
Asset titling strategy
The will is just one piece — and often a backup piece.
The Real Risk of a “Basic Will”
Here’s where the danger lies.
If someone buys or drafts a “basic will” without considering:
How assets are titled
Who is named as beneficiary
How taxes might apply
Whether a trust is appropriate
How incapacity would be handled
They may leave their family with:
Probate delays
Unnecessary legal fees
Court supervision
Family disputes
Confusion about who is in charge
Ironically, the cheapest will can become the most expensive document your family ever deals with.
And that’s not because wills are bad.
It’s because they’re incomplete when used alone.
The Will Should Be the Least Important Document You Sign
In a thoughtful estate plan:
Your trust governs how assets are managed and distributed.
Your powers of attorney prevent court involvement during incapacity.
Your beneficiary designations align with your trust.
Your asset organization prevents a scavenger hunt.
The will?
It’s there as a safety net. A cleanup crew. A backstop.
If your will is the centerpiece of your estate plan, that’s usually a sign something bigger is missing.
So… How Much Should a Will Cost?
Here’s a better question:
What problem am I trying to solve?
If your goal is:
Just naming guardians for minor children → a simple will may be appropriate.
Avoiding probate → a trust-based plan may be necessary.
Protecting assets for children → you likely need more than a will.
Planning for incapacity → you need powers of attorney.
The cost depends on complexity, goals, and how customized the planning needs to be.
A “basic will” from an online platform might cost under $200.
A properly drafted will from an attorney may cost more.
A comprehensive estate plan with a trust can range much higher — because it’s solving a much bigger problem.
The real value isn’t in the paper.
It’s in avoiding chaos.
A Better Question to Ask
Instead of asking:
“How much is a basic will?”
Try asking:
“What happens to my family if I don’t plan?”
“What would make this process easiest for the people I love?”
“What would minimize court involvement?”
“How do I make sure everything works together?”
Estate planning isn’t about documents.
It’s about coordination.
It’s about clarity.
It’s about not leaving your family with a legal puzzle to solve while they’re grieving.
The Bottom Line
You should absolutely have a will.
But if that’s the only document you sign, you probably don’t have a plan — you have a partial solution.
And partial solutions are where problems begin.
If you’re thinking about estate planning, don’t feel bad for starting with cost. That’s normal.
Just make sure you don’t stop there.
Because the right question isn’t:
“How much is a basic will?”
It’s:
“What does my family actually need?”
That’s where real planning begins.