Online will-making platforms offer varying pricing structures based on assistance levels. Yellow charges ₹2,499 for its basic plan and ₹5,499 for premium services, with registration assistance potentially pushing total costs above ₹15,000. KustodianLife offers a fully customized will for ₹12,500 plus ₹8,000-₹15,000 for registration, while also introducing a DIY option at ₹499. Aasan Will starts at ₹4,999 for basic services and charges separately for registration, with end-to-end services including in-person assistance costing around ₹30,000. According to reports from Mint, these platforms typically offer basic DIY options at lower prices, with users providing personal details, family information, executor details, and asset distribution instructions to generate PDF wills that require physical signing.
The cost differential between online and offline will preparation varies significantly based on expertise and services provided. As reported by Mint, offline lawyers typically charge ₹10,000-₹50,000 depending on experience and expertise, with registration assistance generally ranging ₹5,000-₹12,000 in Mumbai. However, Kunal Kabra, co-founder of KustodianLife, emphasizes that cost alone should not determine the choice, noting that "a lot of big firms charging big bucks may overlook basic estate planning conflicts, while a lawyer charging ₹10,000 could also end up being really good." The cost of implementing wills after death is separate and depends on the level of involvement required. Consumers should not choose a platform solely on the basis of price, as it's worth comparing online packages with offline lawyer fees.
The primary limitation of DIY platforms lies in comprehensive information disclosure requirements. According to Mint reports, Sebi-registered investment adviser Viresh Patel highlighted that "India is not financially literate. People may not know what to ask or what information to disclose." He cited a case where a client needed a will for housing society redevelopment but didn't disclose other investments, believing nominees were sufficient. Nikhil Varghese, co-founder of Yellow, addresses this through the platform's structured intake covering more than 40 asset classes, ensuring comprehensive coverage that users might not spontaneously consider even with a lawyer. However, platforms cannot replace expert legal review that identifies ownership complexities and potential conflicts.
Will registration is not mandatory but provides additional legal protection. As reported by Mint, Kunal Kabra explains that "registration is not mandatory, so if they are doing it, they can take their time and register when they are fairly confident there will be no changes." The official cost structure includes ₹100 government registration fee and ₹20-₹40 per page for document handling, totaling approximately ₹100-₹200 for a typical five-page will. Pritika Kumar, co-founder of No Grey, notes that companies typically take only 20-25% markup on registration costs, encouraging customers to handle registration themselves to avoid heavy charges. Platforms provide free tools and guidance for self-registration.
The online estate-planning ecosystem extends beyond basic will preparation to comprehensive services. According to Mint reports, platforms now offer family trusts, powers of attorney, living wills, gift deeds, and post-demise assistance. Aasan Will provides executor services where the executor carries out will instructions and helps settle the deceased's estate. Certain providers also offer post-demise services to help families implement the will, trace and recover assets, and facilitate their transfer to beneficiaries. However, Viresh Patel believes post-demise assistance should function as a safety net rather than a substitute for proper will preparation, emphasizing that "the question is not really online versus offline. It is about reaching out to the right expert." For consumers, online wills can serve as a useful starting point, but convenience should not be confused with comprehensiveness, with focus remaining on experience over cost considerations.
