A simple, valid California will — naming who cares for your kids, who gets what, and who handles the paperwork. With a real lawyer checking the words. Lawma’s guided intake is free; the licensed attorney you choose quotes a flat fee before any work starts.
Why a will
Most people put a will off because they think it's for rich people, or because picking a guardian for the kids feels impossible, or because they don't want to think about this at all. We understand.
But without a will in California, the state decides — who raises your children, who manages the money you leave, who gets your things. A simple will, signed correctly, takes those decisions back.
What a will does
Names a guardian for your kids
The single most important thing a parent's will does. You can also name a separate guardian of the estate — the person who manages anything you leave to a minor child until they're old enough.
Decides who gets what
Specific gifts (the ring, the car, the family photos) and the catch-all residue — “everything else.” You decide, not a default rule.
Picks your executor
The person who gathers your things, pays your bills, and carries out the will. Choose someone organized, level-headed, and willing.
Note — a valid California will requires that you are at least 18 and of sound mind, that the will is in writing, and that you sign it in the presence of two witnesses who also sign. Notarization isn't required, but a “self-proving” affidavit under Probate Code § 8220 makes things easier later.
What a will doesn't do
A will is powerful but narrow. Your attorney will tell you the same things any honest planner would:
The process
How pricing works
Your lawyer charges a pre-negotiated flat fee — typically $200 to $3,500, depending on complexity. A simple will falls at the lower end. That single fee covers your attorney's work AND everything Lawma does.
For comparison, a simple California will from a private attorney often runs $300 to $1,000.
If you qualify for legal aid, your fee is waived. Permanently.That's a Lawma commitment.
If your situation is more complex (a business, blended family, real estate in multiple states, a special-needs child), your attorney will tell you honestly whether a will alone is enough or whether you should also consider a living trust.
Questions people ask
Do I really need a will if I don't own much?
If you have minor children, yes — the guardianship piece alone is reason enough. If you have anyone you love and anything you want to leave them, also yes. A will isn't about money. It's about choice.
What if I change my mind later?
You can update a will anytime — when you marry, divorce, have a child, move, or just change your mind. Coming back through Lawma to update it is free, just like the first time.
Can I name a guardian who doesn't know yet?
Legally, yes — but please ask them first. A guardian who accepts is your child's safety net; a guardian who refuses or can't serve lets the court start over.
What happens if I die without a will?
California intestate succession kicks in — a rigid rule book that may or may not match your wishes. The court appoints a guardian for minors based on its own judgment, not yours. A will is the simple way to take that pen back.
These vetted partners often come up alongside making a will — a notary, a CPA. Lawma earns a small fee when you use one.
Accounting
Fieldnotes CPA
Affordable bookkeeping, sales-tax registration, and 1099 filings for freelancers and small businesses. Flat monthly pricing.
Notaries
Estate Easel
Mobile notaries who specialize in will signings — they bring witnesses, follow your state's formalities, and travel to your home or care facility.
Intake happens on Lawma — you never hand your details to a third-party form. Lawma earns a small referral fee when you connect with a partner; we only list services that meet our review bar, and we never run ads on your case file.
Start a will today with a real California lawyer. Guided intake is free; the licensed attorney you choose quotes a flat fee before any work starts.
