FreeWill Review (2026)
FreeWill lets you create a legally valid will at no cost, along with a financial power of attorney and advance directives. Funded by nonprofit partners, it is genuinely free, with an optional (never required) charitable bequest. It is excellent for simple estates, but not built for complex wishes.
Cost: free · funded by charitable partners · a will in about 20 minutes
Key takeaways
- Best for: people with simple estates who want a valid will at no cost.
- Genuinely free, funded by nonprofit partners; charitable bequests are optional.
- Includes a will, financial POA, and advance directives; living trust is California-only.
- Our rating: 4.3/5, the best free option, with limits for complex estates.
FreeWill does exactly what its name says: it lets you create a legally valid will online for free, in about 20 minutes. It has helped create well over a million wills, and it is a genuinely useful way to clear the most common excuse people give for not having a will, the cost and hassle. It earns the “best free option” spot in our roundup of the best online will makers.
This review explains how FreeWill can be free, what you actually get, where its limits are, and who it suits. If you are not sure a basic will is enough for your situation, our guide on DIY will vs attorney will help you gauge that.
How It’s Free
FreeWill is not a free trial or a loss leader; it is free by design. The platform is funded by more than 100 nonprofit organizations that sponsor the service in the hope that some users will choose to leave a charitable gift in their will. When a user voluntarily includes a charitable bequest, the nonprofit pays FreeWill a referral fee. Including a gift is entirely optional, and you can create a complete will without one.
That model makes FreeWill a rare thing: a no-catch free will maker. The only thing to understand is that the experience gently surfaces the option to give, which is the mechanism that keeps it free for everyone.
What’s Included
Beyond the will itself, FreeWill lets you create a durable financial power of attorney and advance healthcare directives, and document your funeral wishes. That covers the core of a simple plan: who inherits, who can act for you financially, and your medical wishes. For background on those documents, see our power of attorney and living will vs last will guides.
One important limitation: FreeWill’s living trust option is currently available only to California residents. If you want a trust and live elsewhere, you will need a different service; see our top pick Trust & Will or the best living trust services.
The Limitations
FreeWill is built for simple situations, and it is honest about that. If your wishes are complex, blended-family arrangements, business interests, special-needs planning, or estate tax concerns, the template-based flow will not accommodate them well, and there is no attorney support to fall back on. Some reviewers have noted that, as with any DIY tool, a poorly completed will can run into enforceability problems.
Like every will, a FreeWill document is only valid once you print it and sign it with the witnesses your state requires. Follow the signing instructions carefully and confirm your state’s rules.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Completely free, no catch
- Fast and simple, about 20 minutes
- Includes POA and advance directives
- Optional charitable giving
- Strong user satisfaction
Cons
- Only suits simple estates
- Living trust limited to California
- No attorney support
- Not built for complex wishes
Who It’s Best For
FreeWill is ideal if you have a straightforward estate and want a legally valid will without paying anything, and it is especially appealing if you like the idea of leaving a gift to a cause you care about. It is also a great nudge for anyone who has been putting off making a will because of cost.
It is not the right tool for complex estates or anyone who wants a trust outside California. In those cases, step up to a paid service like our top pick Trust & Will or the value-leading Nolo WillMaker, or consult an attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FreeWill actually free?
Yes. FreeWill is genuinely free to use. It is funded by nonprofit partners who sponsor the service, and it earns a referral fee only when a user voluntarily includes a charitable bequest. Adding a bequest is always optional, never required to use the tool.
Is a FreeWill will legally valid?
Yes, when signed and witnessed correctly. FreeWill generates a state-specific will that becomes legally valid once you print it and sign it with the witnesses your state requires. As with any will, improper signing is the main thing that can invalidate it.
What does FreeWill include?
FreeWill lets you create a will, a durable financial power of attorney, and advance healthcare directives, and document funeral wishes. You can optionally include charitable bequests. A living trust is currently available only to California residents.
What are the downsides of FreeWill?
FreeWill is built for simple estates and does not handle complex wishes well. It offers no attorney support, its living trust is limited to California, and because it is template-based, complicated situations are better served by a paid service or an attorney.
Who should use FreeWill?
FreeWill is ideal for someone with a straightforward estate who wants a legally valid will at no cost, and especially for those who like the option to leave a charitable gift. For complex estates, a paid service or an attorney is a better fit.