Our Testing Methodology

How we independently test and rate online will services using our 100-point system

✓Editorial Independence

BestWillOnline.com is an independent review site. We test every service ourselves, create real wills, time completion, and evaluate user experience firsthand. Our ratings are NOT influenced by advertising, partnerships, or affiliate commissions.

FTC Compliance: We earn affiliate commissions when you purchase through our links (at no extra cost to you). This helps us keep our reviews free and independent. However, commission amounts do NOT affect our ratings or rankings. We rate services based on merit alone.

Our 120-Point Rating System

We evaluate every online will service across 6 categories, totaling 120 points. Each category is weighted based on importance to the average user. Updated January 2025 to include post-death features (executor support, court filing) that matter most when your will is actually activated.

1. Legal Compliance & Validity

25 points

Why it matters: A will is only useful if it's legally valid. This is the foundation — without proper legal compliance, nothing else matters. Mistakes or generic templates can invalidate your will, leading to expensive probate battles.

What we test:

State-specific wills: Does the service create unique wills for each state's laws?
Attorney-drafted templates: Were documents created by licensed estate planning attorneys?
Signing instructions: Clear, state-specific instructions for notarization/witnesses
Track record: Years in business, number of wills created, customer testimonials
Attorney review: We consult with 3 estate planning attorneys to verify legal compliance

2. User Experience & Interface Innovation

25 points

Why it matters: A well-designed interface means faster completion, fewer errors, and less frustration. The best services make estate planning feel approachable, not overwhelming.

What we test:

Completion time: We time how long it takes to create a complete will (tested with 3 users, ages 28-58)
Interface design: Clean layout, intuitive navigation, helpful guidance
Mobile experience: Percentage of will completable on phones (tested iPhone 14 Pro, Android Galaxy S23)
Error prevention: Real-time validation, helpful error messages, no dead ends
Interface innovation: Visual asset distribution (WillBoard™), drag-and-drop, AI guidance vs traditional forms
Upsells: Deduct points for excessive upselling that slows process

3. Document Features

15 points

Why it matters: Comprehensive document packages save you from buying multiple products separately.

What we test:

Document package: Will, living will, power of attorney, HIPAA authorization
Living trust option: Revocable trust for probate avoidance (Phase 2+ feature)
Customization options: Per stirpes, disinheritance clauses, pet trusts, charitable bequests

4. End-to-End Execution ⭐ NEW

25 points

Why it matters: Creating a will is only half the battle. The best services handle the entire lifecycle: signing → notarization → storage → executor access → court filing. This category evaluates "completeness of solution" — do you get a PDF and figure out the rest yourself, or does the service handle everything end-to-end?

What we test:

Signing & Notarization: Full-cycle RON (signing + 2 witnesses + notary in ONE session) vs "here's your PDF, print and find notary yourself" — +10 points for integrated RON, +5 for RON add-on, 0 for manual signing
Digital Vault: Zero-knowledge encrypted storage, executor invitations, death verification system, multi-factor document release — +5 points for full vault with executor portal, +2 for basic cloud storage
Executor Support: Executor portal with checklists, form generation (IRS Form 56, credit bureau letters), court filing guidance, probate package assembly — +5 points for comprehensive executor console, 0 for "good luck figuring it out"
Court Integration: E-filing support, probate court finder, county-specific instructions, automatic petition assembly — +3 points for e-filing, +1 for instructions
Completion Guarantee: Does the service guarantee your will gets executed? Support for beneficiaries, agency notification templates — +2 points for guarantee

Example: Will Agent scores 25/25 in this category (integrated RON 10 + digital vault 5 + executor portal 5 + e-filing prep 3 + guarantee 2). Most competitors score 2-7/25 (basic cloud storage, manual signing, no executor support).

5. Pricing & Value

20 points

Why it matters: Estate planning shouldn't break the bank. We evaluate both upfront costs and long-term value (updates, subscriptions).

What we test:

Upfront cost: Price for individual will (basic package)
Update pricing: Cost to revise will after creation (subscription vs one-time)
5-year total cost: Calculate long-term value (3 updates over 5 years)
Value per dollar: Features included vs price (RON, POA, Living Will)
Transparent pricing: Deduct points for hidden fees or confusing subscription models

6. Customer Support

15 points

Why it matters: Estate planning can be confusing. Good support helps you make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes.

What we test:

Support channels: Phone, live chat, email availability
Response time: We test email/chat response (24 hours, 48 hours, 7 days?)
Attorney consultations: Availability, cost, and quality of legal advice
Help resources: FAQs, video tutorials, knowledge base articles
Customer ratings: Trustpilot, BBB, Google Reviews analysis

Our Testing Process

Step 1: Create Real Wills

We create actual wills using each service, not just demo accounts. We use 3 test scenarios: (1) Single person, simple estate, (2) Married couple with 2 kids, (3) Blended family, complex distribution. This reveals how services handle different complexity levels.

Step 2: Time Completion

We time every step from signup to final document download. Three different users (ages 28, 42, 58) complete wills to account for varying tech comfort levels. Average times are reported in reviews.

Step 3: Test Mobile Experience

We attempt to complete the entire will creation process on mobile devices (iPhone 14 Pro, Android Galaxy S23). Services are rated on percentage completable on phones (0-100%).

Step 4: Attorney Review

We consult with 3 licensed estate planning attorneys (licensed in CA, TX, and NY) to verify legal compliance. Attorneys review documents for state-specific requirements, proper attestation clauses, and common pitfalls.

Step 5: Test Customer Support

We contact support via all available channels (phone, email, chat) with real questions: "Can I disinherit my child?" "What if my executor dies before me?" We measure response time and answer quality.

Step 6: Calculate Long-Term Value

We calculate total 5-year cost assuming 3 updates (marriage, children, divorce). This reveals true value vs upfront cost. Example: Will Agent $299 (free updates) vs Trust & Will $275 ($199 + 4×$19/year).

Step 7: Assign Scores & Rank

After testing, we assign scores for each category (User Experience, Legal Compliance, Features, Pricing, Support) totaling 100 points. Services are ranked 1-10 based on total score.

How Often We Update Reviews

We re-test services quarterly (every 3 months) to ensure ratings stay current. Prices, features, and user interfaces change frequently in this industry.

→Price changes: Updated within 7 days of notification
→New features: Re-tested and scored within 30 days
→Full re-tests: Every 3 months (quarterly)
→Last updated date: Shown at top of every review

FTC Disclosure: Affiliate Links

We earn affiliate commissions when you purchase through our links. This means if you click "Visit Site" and make a purchase, we receive a commission (typically 10-20% of the sale price) at no extra cost to you.

Our editorial independence is NOT compromised by affiliate commissions. Here's our policy:

✓Commission amounts do NOT affect our ratings or rankings
✓We test every service identically, regardless of commission
✓Services cannot pay for higher ratings (merit-based only)
✓We disclose affiliate relationships on every review page

Why we use affiliate links: Affiliate commissions help us keep BestWillOnline.com free for users. We don't charge subscription fees or hide content behind paywalls. This business model aligns our interests with yours: we only earn if we provide valuable, accurate reviews that help you choose the best service.

Questions About Our Methodology?

We're committed to transparency. If you have questions about how we test, score, or rank online will services, please contact us:

Email: methodology@bestwillonline.com