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Fair Comparison

Online Will vs Solicitor — Which Is Right for You? (2026)

A fair, honest comparison to help you choose the right option for your estate. Sometimes online is perfect. Sometimes you need a solicitor. Here is how to decide.

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All States
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Side-by-Side Comparison

How online Wills and solicitor-drafted Wills compare across the factors that matter most.

Factor Online Will (ezyWill) Solicitor
Cost $99/year $600–$1,500+
Speed ~20 minutes 2–4 weeks
Updates Unlimited (included) Charged per revision
Convenience Online, 24/7 Appointment required
Digital vault
Executor notifications
Complex estates Guided + lawyer review Personalised advice
Business owners Limited Recommended
International assets Limited Recommended

A Note on Cost

Solicitor fees vary widely depending on location, complexity, and the firm. The range shown ($600–$1,500) covers simple, single Wills based on data from the Law Society of NSW, the Law Institute of Victoria, and legal cost surveys. Complex Wills with trusts can exceed $5,000.

Always request a fixed-fee quote from your solicitor before proceeding.

Best Fit

When an Online Will Is the Right Choice

For the majority of Australians, an online Will provides everything you need — legally valid, properly structured, and far more affordable.

Straightforward estates

A family home, superannuation, bank accounts, a car, and personal belongings — the vast majority of Australian estates fall into this category.

Young families

You need to appoint guardians, set up basic provisions for children, and name an executor. An online Will handles all of this with guided prompts.

Time-poor professionals

No need to book appointments, take time off work, or wait weeks for a draft. Complete your Will from your couch at 10 pm on a Tuesday.

Frequent updaters

Life changes often — new baby, new home, change of executor. With unlimited updates included, you can revise your Will whenever you need to without extra cost.

Know When to Go Pro

When You Need a Solicitor

Some estates genuinely require personalised legal advice. We believe in being upfront about when an online Will is not enough.

Business owners

If you own a business, partnership, or company shares, a solicitor can structure your Will to address succession planning, buy-sell agreements, and business continuity.

International assets

Property or investments in multiple countries may require separate Wills for each jurisdiction. A solicitor with international estate experience is essential.

Blended families with disputes

If you anticipate challenges from ex-partners, stepchildren, or estranged relatives, a solicitor can help structure your Will to minimise the risk of a successful contest.

Testamentary trusts

Trusts created within a Will (testamentary trusts) offer tax advantages and asset protection for beneficiaries. They require careful legal drafting that goes beyond standard templates.

The ezyWill Advantage

The Best of Both Worlds

You should not have to choose between convenience and professional oversight. ezyWill Premium includes lawyer review as part of your subscription — so you get the speed and affordability of an online platform with the reassurance that a qualified Australian solicitor has checked your Will.

1

Create online

Answer guided questions at your own pace, whenever suits you.

2

Lawyer reviews

A qualified solicitor checks your Will for completeness and compliance.

3

Store and protect

Digital vault, executor notifications, and estate admin tools — all included.

The Full Picture

A Will is step one. We handle steps two through ten.

Whether you choose an online Will or a solicitor, what happens after matters just as much. ezyWill covers the entire lifecycle.

1

Create

Guided will builder with plain-English questions. No legal jargon, no appointments, no waiting rooms.

2

Review

Optional lawyer review included with Premium. A qualified solicitor checks your Will for completeness and compliance.

3

Store

Encrypted digital vault for your Will and important documents. Bank-grade AES-256 encryption keeps everything secure.

4

Notify

Your executor and deputies receive role-based access. Everyone knows their responsibilities before they are needed.

5

Activate

When the time comes, your executor is notified automatically with access to your Will, vault, and estate administration tools.

Common Frustrations with the Traditional Route

Not criticisms — just realities that many Australians experience when using a solicitor for their Will.

High upfront cost

A simple solicitor-drafted Will starts at $600 and can exceed $1,500. Couples pay double. Every update or revision incurs additional fees, discouraging people from keeping their Will current.

Slow turnaround

Booking an appointment, attending a consultation, waiting for a draft, reviewing it, then returning to sign — the process typically takes two to four weeks. Life events do not wait that long.

No digital storage

Most solicitors hand you a paper Will in an envelope. There is no encrypted vault, no executor notification system, and no central place for your family to find critical documents when they need them most.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer to make a Will in Australia?
No. There is no legal requirement to use a solicitor to create a Will in Australia. What matters is that the Will is properly executed — in writing, signed by you, and witnessed by two independent adults according to your state's requirements. Online platforms like ezyWill generate state-specific, legally structured Wills that meet these requirements. A solicitor is recommended for complex estates involving business interests, international assets, or anticipated disputes.
How much does a solicitor charge for a Will?
Solicitor fees for a simple Will typically range from $600 to $1,500 in Australia. A Will with testamentary trusts or complex structures can cost $2,000 to $5,000 or more. Couples should expect to pay roughly double. Each subsequent update or revision incurs additional fees, typically $200 to $500. ezyWill costs $99 per year with unlimited updates included.
Is an online Will legally valid?
Yes. An online Will is just as legally valid as one drafted by a solicitor, provided it meets your state's execution requirements. In all Australian states and territories, a valid Will must be in writing, signed by the testator (the person making the Will), and witnessed by two independent adults who are present at the same time. ezyWill generates state-specific documents that comply with local legislation.
When should I use a solicitor instead of an online Will?
Consider a solicitor if you own a business, have assets in multiple countries, have a blended family with potential disputes, want to set up testamentary trusts, or have a high-value estate with complex tax planning needs. For straightforward estates — which covers the majority of Australians — an online Will with optional lawyer review offers the same legal validity at a fraction of the cost and time.
Can I switch from a solicitor's Will to an online Will?
Yes. Creating a new, valid Will automatically revokes any previous Wills. If you currently have a solicitor-drafted Will and want to switch to ezyWill, simply create your new Will through the platform. Once signed and witnessed, it becomes your current, legally valid Will and all previous Wills are revoked. Always destroy old copies to avoid confusion.
Does ezyWill offer lawyer review?
Yes. ezyWill Premium includes optional lawyer review as part of the $99/year subscription. A qualified Australian solicitor reviews your Will for completeness, clarity, and legal compliance. This means you get the convenience of an online platform with the reassurance of professional oversight — the best of both worlds, at a fraction of the cost of a fully solicitor-drafted Will.

Online convenience. Professional oversight. One subscription.

Start for free. Upgrade to Premium for $99/year — includes unlimited updates, lawyer review, digital vault, executor notifications, and estate administration. No hidden fees.

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