"Everybody needs a will," said Gay Nell Palmisano, a Mobile, Ala.-based financial advisor. "If you don't give direction for the things you care about, the state will."

Hammering out a will doesn't have to be expensive. Start with a lawyer who specializes in wills and estates, or your financial advisor, who can help get your financial affairs in order.

You will need to determine what you own, who will inherit your stuff and name people you trust to execute your wishes when you're gone. Be sure to provide detailed descriptions of your property, vehicles, financial assets and other valuables.

Many lawyers charge a flat fee of $250 to $500 for a simple will. For complex estates, lawyers may charge a percentage of assets handled.

A less-expensive option is to write your own will using a growing number of Internet sites or home-computer software.

At LegalZoom.com, people can complete a will for between $55 and $115, depending on the range of other services provided, such as secure document storage. The Los Angeles-based firm, which reported a 50 percent surge in will orders last week, promises to donate 10 percent of profits this month to the New York Fire Department.

Doyourownwill.com, run by Chicago-based Trial Data Inc., lets consumers complete wills online for just $9.

Another site, Nolo.com of Berkeley, Calif., provides a plain-English guide to navigating different legal issues, while selling books, legal forms and a variety of software, such as Quicken Lawyer, which can be purchased for about $40.

Even if you complete your will online, it makes sense to have a lawyer who knows your state's probate system review your efforts. The stakes are especially high when it comes to making arrangements for dependent children.

"There are a lot of issues to work out in advance. Otherwise, your kids are at risk," said Robert Sikorsky, managing partner of New York firm Busson & Sikorsky.

Sikorsky, who has handled estates and wills in New York for 28 years, recommends parents name guardians to provide care to the children while another person oversees financial matters.

In any case it's important to review your will every five years, so it reflects changes in your estate and family.