Online estate-planning platforms are offering will services at varying price points, with DIY options starting at ₹499 and assisted services costing ₹30,000 or more. According to reports from Mint, Yellow charges ₹2,499 for its basic plan and ₹5,499 for premium, while KustodianLife offers a DIY option at ₹499 and customized wills for ₹12,500 plus registration costs of ₹8,000-₹15,000. Aasan Will provides basic plans starting at ₹4,999, with end-to-end services costing around ₹30,000. As reported by Mint, registration assistance can push total costs beyond ₹15,000, making the cheapest option not necessarily the most appropriate for complex estates.
The primary concern with online wills is not cost but adequate asset disclosure and legal compliance. According to Mint reports, online questionnaires can make it easier to list assets but cannot identify information users don't know is relevant. Sebi-registered investment adviser Viresh Patel highlighted that India's financial literacy levels may lead to incomplete information disclosure. He cited examples of investments with nominees that users believe don't require will coverage, or properties bought in someone else's name that cannot be willed. The will must be printed and signed in the presence of two witnesses, with digital signatures alone not making it legally valid. In India, a will is typically valid if it is in writing and attested by two witnesses; registration is optional.
Online platforms may not be suitable for complex estate situations, as reported by Mint. Kunal Kabra, co-founder of KustodianLife, stated that DIY services work for people with straightforward estates, but they discourage this approach for divorce, remarriage, multiple real estate holdings, or NRI situations. The platform nudges users toward assistance in these cases. Mint reports that ownership complications can arise when properties are bought in someone else's name or when jointly held properties are willed entirely by one person. For estates valued at around ₹5 crore, key concerns include incomplete disclosure of assets, unclear ownership titles, and assets spread across multiple states or jurisdictions. Joint ownership or business interests, digital assets, or properties held through partnerships may complicate transfers and invite disputes or delays during probate.
Will registration is optional but can provide additional evidence of authenticity, as reported by Mint. The government registration fee is ₹100, while document handling charges are around ₹20-₹40 per page. Wills are exempt from stamp duty. According to Kabra, registration is not mandatory, so users can take their time to register when confident no changes will be required. If changes are needed, editing the will remains straightforward, with the second will prevailing even if not registered. Even a legally valid will must go through probate, the court process that confirms the document and authorizes asset transfer. For sizable and complex estates, probate can take months or years and may involve costs if disputes arise. A well drafted will cannot guarantee dispute avoidance, but it can reduce ambiguity and streamline the process.
