It's something most of us don't want to think about, but every adult needs a will. New do-it-yourself services promise to take the hassle out of making a will, and save you money. So we checked them out.

When John Chuang became a dad, he decided it was time for a will. Instead of hiring a pricey lawyer, he went online to do it. Total cost: 60 bucks.

"This is just a much better option than getting a lawyer, going to their office, paying the hourly fees," Chuang explains.

John used a new 'do-it-yourself will' site. You can also use a software kit at home, or go to a walk-in storefront. Some of the services have supervising lawyers, others use law students. Attorney Michael Whitty says all methods are gaining in popularity.

"Number one, people are aware that they need to have a will. And number two, if they can do it themselves that is attractive to people. And number three, if they think they can save money doing it that is also attractive," Whitty explains.

A lawyer will charge up to several thousand dollars to do your will. In comparison-- kits cost as little as $15. Even the walk-in places only cost a few hundred dollars.

Experts say if your will is pretty straightforward, you can forego the lawyer.

"It might be a married couple with children and it's their first marriage and these kids are their kids and they have, you know, a simple situation," Whitty says.

But if you need estate tax planning or have special assets, you probably need professional assistance.

"You will save money on the front end, but you may end up costing your family more money in the long run if the will turns out to have a flaw in it," Whitty says.

John just needed a basic will, so the online version worked for him. He says he's happy he did it, "You're talking fractions of the cost, and it was quick. It's extremely simple."

If you go with a do-it-yourself kit, follow the directions carefully to make sure the document is legally binding.

Attorneys we talked to call a do-it-yourself will a stop-gap measure, and they recommend you see a lawyer if you have the money. But we found even the cheap kits do provide legally binding documents.