Every Florida family that sets out to make a will or trust faces the same fork in the road: use a cheap national online service, or hire a traditional estate planning attorney. The first feels fast and affordable; the second feels safe but slow and expensive. The truth is that neither extreme is the best choice for most people — and a third option has closed the gap.
Here is a clear comparison of all three paths, focused on what actually matters: cost, accuracy under Florida law, and the risk your plan fails when your family needs it.
The Three Options at a Glance
| National DIY (LegalZoom, etc.) | Traditional Florida attorney | Attorney-reviewed online (Florida Estate Kit) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | $89–$299 | $500–$4,500+ | $399–$2,950 |
| Built for Florida law | No — generic templates | Yes | Yes |
| Licensed FL attorney reviews it | No | Yes | Yes (attorney-guided) |
| Homestead & POA Act handled | Rarely | Yes | Yes |
| Guidance on signing & notarization | Minimal | Yes | Yes, incl. remote online notarization |
| Convenience / speed | High | Lower (appointments) | High (from home) |
| Best for | Very simple, low-risk situations | Complex or high-net-worth estates | Most Florida families |
Option 1: National DIY Services (LegalZoom, Trust & Will)
The appeal is obvious — a will package for under $100, done in an afternoon. The problem is that these services sell the same templates in all 50 states. They are not built for Florida, and they do not have a licensed Florida attorney checking your documents.
Option 2: A Traditional Florida Estate Planning Attorney
Full-service representation is the gold standard for complex situations, and it is what you want if your estate is taxable, your family is blended, you own a business, or you have a special-needs beneficiary. You get tailored counsel and accountability. The trade-offs are cost — often $2,000–$4,500 for a trust package, sometimes far more — and the time of in-person appointments.
Option 3: Attorney-Reviewed Online Planning (the Middle Path)
This is the option most Florida families did not have a decade ago. A Florida-specific online platform prepares your documents to state law, and a licensed Florida attorney reviews them before you sign. You get the convenience and lower price of online completion and professional oversight — without choosing between them.
The Florida Estate Kit works this way: you complete a guided intake in about 20–30 minutes, choose self-guided or attorney-guided, and Arthur Simpson, Esq. personally reviews attorney-guided plans. It is built for Florida homestead, witnessing, and probate-avoidance rules from the ground up.
How to Choose
- Choose attorney-reviewed online if you are a typical Florida family with a home, accounts, and clear wishes — you want it done right without overpaying.
- Choose full attorney representation if you have a taxable estate, a business, a blended family, a special-needs beneficiary, or significant out-of-state assets.
- Think hard before pure DIY — the savings are small next to the cost of a plan that fails in probate.
For a deeper cost breakdown, see how much estate planning costs in Florida, and to understand the documents themselves, read how a Florida revocable living trust works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get the Best of Both — Online Convenience, Attorney Oversight
The Florida Estate Kit lets you create a Florida-valid plan from home, with the option of personal review by Arthur Simpson, Esq. Start in under 30 minutes.
Compare Plans & Start →This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Pricing reflects general market rates as of 2026 and may vary by firm and complexity. Arthur Simpson, Esq. is licensed to practice law in the State of Florida. This page is attorney advertising.