Let’s rip off the Band-Aid. A basic will from an online service can cost you as little as $0 to $50—yes, less than a fancy dinner. But if you want a lawyer to craft a bespoke, bulletproof document, you’re looking at $200 to $1,500. That might sound steep until you realize a funeral costs, on average, $8,000, and you won’t even be there to enjoy the finger sandwiches.
The real joke is that 60% of American adults don’t have a will. That means if you keel over tomorrow, your state government becomes the ultimate party planner. They’ll decide who gets your prized collection of Beanie Babies—and trust me, the state has terrible taste in collectibles.
