Money Crashers: 9 Best Online Will Makers of 2020

For the past several years, I've had "make a will" on my to-do list. I knew it was a good idea to have one, but it never really seemed urgent. It wasn't just that I didn't expect to die any time soon, since I know that's impossible to predict; I also knew if I died without a will, my money would automatically go to Brian as my next of kin, and I was fine with that. Most of our assets are jointly owned anyway, and my IRA already has a named beneficiary, so I didn't foresee any problems there. The only possible wrinkle was that if we both died at the same time — say, in a car crash — our assets would then most likely go to our parents, who really don't need them. So I figured it would be a good thing to have a will specifying how to split up the money in that case, and also naming a guardian for the cats.But since the contingency seemed pretty remote, I dragged my feet about actually making one.

Apparently, I'm not alone in this. According to AARP, 6 out of 10 Americans haven't made a will, and most of them give the same reason I did — they just haven't gotten around to it yet. Unfortunately, for many of them, dying without a will could pose a significant problem for their heirs. Even if the money eventually gets to their kids, their siblings, or whoever is their next of kin, it could be held up for months in probate.

So, when I proposed an article about online will software for Money Crashers, I had a sneaky ulterior motive in mind. I figured in the process of writing it, I'd learn enough about the various software programs that exist to help you create a will to be able to choose one that would meet my needs and finally get this item off my list once and for all. And sure enough, it worked. I researched the various options, settled on one with decent features and a free trial period, and was able to dash off my will and supporting documents (living will and power of attorney) before the trial was up. (Actually getting the documents witnessed in the middle of a pandemic was trickier, but I managed it in the end.)

So if you're in the same position I was, knowing you need a will but putting off making one because the task seems overwhelming, this article can help. I've already done all the research for you, so all you have to do is read it, figure out which service looks best for your needs, buy it, and use it. Once you take the plunge, the process is actually quick and fairly painless.

9 Best Online Will Makers of 2020