Top Online Wills and Trusts Services: Your Complete 2024 Guide

Creating a comprehensive estate plan that includes wills and trusts is one of the most important financial decisions you’ll make. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to update your existing documents, understanding your options for the best online wills and trusts platforms can help you make an informed choice that protects your family and assets.

How to Choose the Best Online Wills and Trusts for Your Needs

When evaluating online wills and trusts services, experts recommend focusing on four critical factors:

Cost and Pricing Structure Legal fees for traditional attorney-drafted documents can range from $100 to thousands of dollars per hour. Online wills and trusts services offer a more affordable alternative, with pricing models including fixed fees, pay-per-document options, and subscription-based plans. However, annual maintenance fees can add up over time. Consider whether you need regular updates—if so, a subscription may eventually cost as much as consulting an estate planning attorney.

Legal Validity and State Compliance Online wills and trusts are just as legitimate as attorney-drafted documents when executed correctly. They must meet state-specific requirements, including being signed by the testator, properly dated, notarized, and witnessed according to your state’s laws. The key to ensuring legitimacy is choosing a service that tailors documents to your specific state’s inheritance laws and requirements.

Customer Support Quality Look for platforms offering robust assistance through multiple channels: phone support, live chat, email, and educational resources. A comprehensive knowledge base or learning center demonstrates the company’s commitment to helping users understand estate planning basics.

Company Reputation and Track Record Research customer reviews, check for any legal actions or class-action lawsuits, and verify the company’s standing in the industry. Services from established providers with positive reputations are more likely to provide reliable, legally sound documents.

The 5 Best Online Will and Trust Platforms Compared

We’ve evaluated the leading online wills and trusts providers based on the criteria above. Here’s how they stack up:

LawDepot: Most Flexible Pricing Options

Pricing: Free 7-day trial, then $8.99-$12.99/month or $7.50-$119 for individual documents

Services Offered: Wills, trusts, guardianship documents, medical powers of attorney, business documents

Key Features:

• One-Year Pro license ($107.88-$155.88 annually) offers unlimited document access
• Money-back guarantee plus $10,000 legal damages coverage
• Lawyer-reviewed blog and educational materials
• Customer support Monday-Friday, 8am-7pm ET

LawDepot excels for DIY users seeking flexibility. The platform’s pay-per-document option lets you purchase exactly what you need without committing to a subscription. The unique legal damages coverage ($10,000) provides peace of mind, and the extensive resource library helps users understand different document types before creating them.

LegalZoom: Best for Attorney-Backed Support

Pricing: $35-$279, with specific starting prices of $99 for last wills, $39 for financial POAs, $399 for living trusts

Services Offered: Wills, trusts, guardianship, medical powers of attorney, plus business formation and intellectual property services

Key Features:

• Independent attorneys in all 50 states ensure state-specific compliance
• Customized documents through questionnaires or attorney consultations
• Flat-fee pricing with no hidden charges
• Mobile apps for iPhone and Android
• Additional legal advice services available

LegalZoom stands out for users who want attorney involvement without hiring a private lawyer. The questionnaire-based approach guides you to the right documents, while the option for attorney review adds a layer of professional assurance. For entrepreneurs, the business formation services and intellectual property protection options provide comprehensive legal coverage.

Nolo: Best for Comprehensive DIY Solutions

Pricing: Three plans ranging from $109-$149

Services Offered: Wills, trusts, guardianship, medical powers of attorney, health directives

Key Features:

• Downloadable software for Windows and Mac
• Starter plan ($109): Will, health directives, final expense planning
• Plus plan ($149): Comprehensive estate planning with powers of attorney, living trusts, survivor letters
• All Access plan ($149): Plus features plus one-year Everplans subscription for document organization
• 30,000+ lawyer directory with free attorney match service (typically contacted within 1-2 hours)

Nolo appeals to users who prefer downloadable, offline software. The Nolo Network—one of the web’s largest legal libraries—provides exceptional educational value. If you decide you need professional guidance, their attorney referral service quickly connects you with local specialists.

Rocket Lawyer: Best for Technology Integration

Pricing: Free option available, plus Rocket Legal ($39.99/month) and Rocket Legal+ ($19.99/month, billed annually)

Services Offered: Wills, trusts, guardianship, medical powers of attorney, business documents, electronic signature capability

Key Features:

• Mobile app for iPhone with electronic signature and secure document storage
• Self-guided questionnaire directs you to needed documents
• Rocket Legal+ includes partner offers, discounted pro services, tax preparation assistance
• Business registration and trademark services available
• Subscription auto-renewal with automatic payment deduction

Rocket Lawyer excels for tech-savvy users who want everything integrated into their phone. The mobile-first approach and electronic signature capability streamline the process from creation to execution. The subscription model works well if you anticipate needing multiple services.

Trust & Will: Best for Personalized Service

Pricing: Individual wills from $199, individual trusts from $499 (couples’ pricing $100 additional per document)

Services Offered: Trusts, wills, probate services

Key Features:

• State-specific forms built by legal teams
• Comprehensive trust packages include revocable living trust, pour-over will, HIPAA authorization, power of attorney
• Expert document review included
• Annual updates: $19 for wills, $39 for trusts (after year one included)
• Optional $12/year unlimited updates and yearly attorney reviews
• Online storage for future access and modifications

Trust & Will combines affordability with personalized attention. The expert review of all documents before delivery ensures quality. While the company clearly states it’s not a law firm and cannot provide complex legal advice, the comprehensive package approach appeals to users who want everything needed for solid estate protection in one purchase.

When and Why You Need Professional Wills and Trusts Planning

You should prioritize creating wills and trusts if:

• You own property, real estate, or a business
• You have minor children (you’ll need to name guardians)
• You have more than $75,000-$150,000 in assets
• You want to specify medical decision-making authority
• You want to protect family members with special needs

Consider this scenario: A California homeowner dies with only a basic will. The estate must go through probate—a process lasting 1-2 years and costing tens of thousands of dollars. However, with a revocable living trust in addition to a will, assets pass directly to beneficiaries while avoiding probate costs and delays. This highlights why many people benefit from more than just a will.

You might skip a traditional will if:

• You have no assets and no dependents
• You prefer assets to pass according to state intestacy laws (which typically prioritize spouses, then parents, then siblings)
• You’re using alternative structures like living trusts or payable-on-death accounts

However, even without significant assets, having a healthcare power of attorney and financial power of attorney protects you if you become incapacitated. According to estate planning experts, these documents are sometimes more important than a will itself.

The Reality of DIY Wills and Trusts: What You Need to Know

Online wills and trusts services offer genuine cost savings compared to traditional legal fees. You can find ready-made forms for as little as $5 at office supply stores, or use online platforms starting around $8.99 monthly.

However, consider these limitations:

Generic online templates often miss complex situations—such as children with substance abuse issues, financial irresponsibility, special needs, or dependency on government benefits. These situations require carefully crafted language that standard forms don’t provide. A poorly drafted estate plan can generate family conflict and expensive litigation rather than prevent it.

The American Bar Association cautions that online DIY will services can create a false sense of security. While online wills and trusts can be legally valid when properly executed, many users never confirm whether documents will actually work as intended.

To maximize DIY success:

1. Verify your state’s specific requirements for will validity
2. Ensure proper notarization and witness signatures per state law
3. Consider having an attorney review final documents
4. Update documents after major life changes (marriage, birth, divorce, property purchase)

Common Questions About Online Wills and Trusts Services Answered

What exactly is a will? A will is a legal document specifying how you want your assets distributed after death. Without a will, your estate passes according to state intestacy laws—meaning the state decides, not you. A will also lets you name an executor (the person who manages your estate) and designate guardians for minor children.

What about trusts—how are they different? A trust is an alternative or supplement to a will that allows a trustee to manage your assets on behalf of beneficiaries. Revocable living trusts, created during your lifetime, can avoid probate entirely—saving significant time and money. Unlike wills, trusts offer privacy, avoid court involvement, and pass directly to beneficiaries without delays.

What is probate, and why do people want to avoid it? Probate is the court process validating your will and distributing your estate. The average process takes 6-9 months; costs depend on state law and estate size but typically range around $1,500 (or significantly more if contested). All assets, debts, and claims are frozen during probate. This is why many people use trusts for major assets.

Can I write my own will without a service? Some states allow “holographic wills”—handwritten documents you create yourself. However, requirements vary significantly by state. A few states even allow “nuncupative” or oral wills (primarily for military members), but these require three witnesses over age 14 and written wills supersede them.

What information do I need to provide? Prepare documentation for: property deeds, business ownership, vehicle titles, bank statements, investment accounts, valuable items (jewelry, art), current debts, and beneficiary information (full names, addresses, phone numbers, Social Security numbers, dates of birth).

Making Your Final Decision on Wills and Trusts Services

Start with these steps:

1. Ask friends, family, and colleagues about their experiences with attorneys or online services
2. Request a free or low-cost consultation with a local estate planning attorney to understand your state’s laws
3. Assess your situation’s complexity—simple estates suit DIY approaches; complex situations warrant professional guidance
4. Compare the five platforms above against your specific needs and budget
5. Choose a service and complete your documents
6. Have an attorney review for peace of mind if desired

When to upgrade from DIY to professional help:

• Your estate involves real estate in multiple states
• You own a business
• You have blended families or complex family situations
• You have beneficiaries with special needs
• Your assets exceed $150,000-$200,000
• You want to minimize taxes or probate costs

The bottom line: Online wills and trusts services democratize estate planning, making it accessible and affordable. Whether you choose a DIY platform or professional assistance, the critical action is creating a plan. An imperfect estate plan is far better than no plan at all. The best online wills and trusts services provide legitimate, state-compliant documents at a fraction of traditional legal costs—but remember that your specific situation, state requirements, and life complexity should guide your choice.