From a practitioner’s perspective, the choice between an online will and a traditional estate planning attorney should be governed by facts: your assets, your family, your timeline, and your appetite for complexity. If you have a simple estate, a state‑specific will prepared online can be accurate, valid, and fast. If you have unique risks—blended families, special‑needs planning, high‑conflict heirs, or tax‑sensitive structures—hire counsel. This article gives you a clear, lawyer‑to‑layperson framework for deciding, then shows how to execute either path correctly.

What qualifies as a “simple estate”?

“Simple” does not mean “small.” It means predictable. You own a home, checking/savings, and perhaps a brokerage account. You hold retirement accounts and life insurance with beneficiary designations. Your desired plan is conventional: to a spouse, then to children (or to siblings/parents/charity) in straightforward shares. You can name an executor and guardian (if applicable) without controversy. There are no complex business interests or contested family dynamics. If this describes you, the legal lift is routine: choose people, make the residuary plan, and execute correctly.

Strengths of a state‑specific online will

• Speed and convenience. You can create and sign your last will and testament in days—not weeks—because you control the calendar.

• Vetted legal language. Quality platforms use clauses lawyers rely on: strong residuary provisions, executor powers, minors’ trusts, and digital‑asset authority.

• Execution guidance. You’ll receive clear witness requirements and instructions for a self‑proving affidavit to reduce probate friction.

• Cost control. Predictable pricing; easy codicil or replacement will if you later change your mind.

When a lawyer is the better fit

• Blended families where you want to protect children from prior relationships or choreograph assets carefully.

• Special‑needs planning requiring long‑term eligibility considerations.

• Business ownership with buy‑sell terms that must align with your estate plan.

• High‑conflict or disinheritance scenarios that benefit from tighter drafting and risk mitigation.

• Tax‑sensitive estates that may use disclaimer planning or marital/bypass sub‑trusts.

Counsel adds tailored design, anticipates litigation pressure points, and ensures your entity and beneficiary paperwork support the plan.

Validity: the real failure points

Most probate problems stem from execution errors, not imperfect phrasing. Courts reject wills for using the wrong number of witnesses, for missing signatures, or for failing to include a self‑proving affidavit where the state provides one. A solid online process reminds you to gather two disinterested adult witnesses, sign in proper sequence, and notarize the affidavit. If you follow those steps, the will should be admitted without drama.

Cost, time, and maintenance (honest comparison)

• Online will: predictable cost; you can draft, print, and sign the same week. Updates are as simple as a new run‑through or a short codicil.

• Law firm: higher upfront cost; turnaround can be days to weeks; excellent when your facts are complex or you want bespoke provisions.

You can also take a hybrid approach: generate your will online, then pay a local lawyer for a one‑hour consult to review any concerns. You still save time and money while gaining peace of mind.

Decision checklist (lawyer’s triage)

1. Facts: Are your assets and family straightforward?

2. People: Are executor, guardian, and trustee choices clear and capable?

3. Formalities: Will you follow state‑specific witness requirements and add a self‑proving affidavit?

4. Conflict: Is a family dispute likely? If yes, lean toward counsel.

5. Complexity: Do you need sub‑trusts, business coordination, or tax features? If yes, hire counsel.

If you’re “yes” to #1–3 and “no” to #4–5, an online will is sensible.

Practical workflow if you go online

• Decide beneficiaries (with alternates) and your residuary plan.

• Pick an executor and an alternate; decide on guardians for minor children.

• Include a basic trust for minors if appropriate.

• Print and sign with two adult witnesses; add a self‑proving affidavit before a notary.

• Store the original at home; tell your executor where it is.

• Align beneficiary designations on 401(k)/IRA/life insurance.

Practical workflow if you hire a lawyer

• Bring a simple asset list and family tree to your first meeting.

• Discuss concerns candidly (estranged children, risk of undue influence, second marriage planning).

• Ask the attorney to draft with plain English summaries and to include signing instructions tailored to your state.

• Follow through on the signing ceremony; store the original where it can be retrieved immediately.

Adding a revocable living trust (either route)

If you want to avoid probate for your home and investment accounts, add a revocable living trust. Fund it by recording a deed to trust for real estate and retitling non‑retirement brokerage accounts. You’ll still sign a pour‑over will (to catch stragglers) and keep beneficiary designations current. Trust administration is typically faster, more private, and less court‑dependent than probate.

If your facts are simple and your decisions are clear, go online. If they aren’t, hire counsel. In either case, execute perfectly and keep designations aligned.

Create your will online: Online Last Will & Testament → /product/online-last-will/

Avoid probate on key assets: Online Revocable Living Trust → /product/online-living-trust/