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Best Online Wills and Trusts

Our top picks are vetted by experts to give you peace of mind that your family and legacy are secure.

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Retirement Living evaluated 18 online will and trust providers to identify the best options for creating legal estate planning documents online. After consulting estate planners and attorneys, we determined that cost, compliance with state laws, availability of will and trust templates, quality of customer support, and ease of use to update documents were the most important factors in selecting an online will maker.

Trust & Will lets you create state-specific, customized wills and trusts through an online guided platform from your home. You can add attorney support for an additional fee, which provides access to licensed estate planning attorneys in most states.

  • Fast Document Creation
  • Create a will and trust in under one hour
  • Optional estate planning attorney services

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Nolo’s Quicken Willmaker & Trust is a well-established estate planning service used by millions for DIY wills and trusts. The software includes more than 35 legal forms and uses a guided interview to help you create wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and other estate planning documents.

  • Private Offline Data Storage
  • Multiple data storage options
  • Create documents for multiple people

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LegalZoom’s four online estate planning packages have tiered pricing, so you only pay for the level of service you require. The company offers comprehensive personal and business legal documents and the longest money-back guarantee we could find.

  • Tailored estate plan (will or trust-based) package options
  • Premium plans include access to attorney guidance
  • Long Money Back Guarantee

Read Review

FreeWill

4.6

FreeWill is completely free and allows unlimited printing and updates for your wills and healthcare directives. FreeWill is funded by over 2,300 nonprofit organizations, enabling users to access its services at no cost.

  • Free Unlimited Updates
  • Funded by over 700 charitable organizations
  • Create a legally binding in 20 minutes

US Legal Forms

4.7

The Personal Life Planning Form includes state-specific forms for wills, powers of attorney, personal life planning, and estate planning worksheets. Optional expert guidance and notary services are available for an additional fee.

  • Great Document Management
  • 25+ years in the industry
  • Ready-made personal planning package

U.S. Legal Wills

4.6

U.S. Legal Wills offers online creation of wills, powers of attorney and living wills with flexible membership options. Users can designate Keyholders who will have access to documents upon death or incapacitation.

  • Great Flexible Memberships
  • 4 pricing tiers for basic to complex
  • Separate pricing for individuals and couples

Total Legal

4.5

Total Legal offers affordable online wills, living wills, and other legal documents, with optional subscription plans for additional support. The Total Legal™ Plan subscription provides discounted legal services and secure document storage.

  • Affordable Legal Support
  • Low-cost subscription plan
  • Estate planning and small business services

Do Your Own Will

4.5

Do Your Own Will provides free online will and certain trust documents without requiring a credit card. The platform is ad-supported but offers a variety of free legal forms, including wills and guardianship instructions.

  • Free Wills and Trusts
  • Truly free, no credit card required
  • Available in 50 states

Rocket Lawyer

4.5

Rocket Lawyer provides a large library of customizable legal documents for personal business purposes. Memberships include access to attorneys for documents review and consultation, or you can purchase individual documents separately.

  • Great Legal Document Selection
  • Large selection of do-it-yourself legal documents
  • Membership includes access to a lawyer

Gentreo

4.3

Gentreo’s plans provide comprehensive personal estate planning, including wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. Gentreo offers guided instructions, coaching tips, and milestone reminders to complete and maintain your estate plan.

  • Great Coaching Included
  • Product support available
  • Ongoing support and unlimited revisions

Our Research and Testing Methodology

Retirement Living selected our top choices for online will and trust companies based on:

  • 80+ hours of testing and research
  • 3 legal experts consulted
  • 500+ third-party reviews referenced 
  • 10 brands selected out of 18 brands evaluated

Customers who use online willmakers have a dashboard that houses their documents and personal information. Our reviews team signed up for the product and rated their experience using the dashboard, including how quickly they could create a will, the process for saving their information, and whether they could invite other family members or beneficiaries to the portal.

We thoroughly researched and tested the companies presented in this guide, but Retirement Living is not offering legal advice. Our reviews and evaluations of the services are meant to help you make a more educated buying decision, should you decide to create a will online. We recommend that you have an attorney review your completed documents and take the necessary steps to legalize your forms.


Comparison of the Best Online Wills and Trust Makers

CompanyPrice (one-time)Price (annual)Access to Attorney SupportWills for Multiple Family MembersTrust Available
Trust & WillWill: $199 (individual); $299 (couples)

Trust: $499 (individual); $599 (couples)
Will: $19

Trust: $39
Yes; for an extra $299/yearYesYes
Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker & Trust$109 – $219$39NoYesYes
LegalZoomWill: $99 (individual); $199 (couples)

Trust: $399 (individual); $499 (couples)
Free, optional $49 per year for unlimited revisionsYes; $150 for the first year, then $199/yearYesYes
FreeWillFreeFreeNoYesYes
US Legal FormsN/A$8 – $15/month billed annuallyNoYesYes
U.S. Legal Wills$49.95 (with add-ons available)N/ANoYesNo
Total LegalWill: $19.95 – $39.95

Living Will: $19
TotalLegal™ Plan: $89NoYesNo
Do Your Own WillFreeNoneNoYesNo
Rocket Lawyer$39.99$239.88YesYesYes
GentreoN/A$150 for the first year, then $50 every year afterNoYesYes
Compare the Best Online Will and Trust Providers

Best Online Will and Trust Makers

After our evaluation, we identified the following companies as the best online will and trust amkers: Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker & Trust, U.S. Legal Wills, Trust & Will, Total Legal, Do Your Own Will, Rocket Lawyer, LegalZoom, FreeWill, US Legal Forms, and Gentreo.

Trust & Will Review

Fast Document Creation

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4.5 Stars

Trust & Will’s online platform prompts users to enter the information needed to create your estate planning documents. You’ll begin by confirming basic details, like your name, date of birth, and relationship status, before moving on to more detailed information, including medical wishes, asset allocations, and beneficiaries.

You can preview some of Trust & Will’s platform before purchasing an estate plan.

Founded in 2017, Trust & Will provides a fast, user-friendly, and secure way to create and manage wills and related real estate planning documents. All documents are state-specific and developed by an in-house team of legal professionals and estate planning experts. Estate planning documents are customized to fit individual or family’s needs. 

Trust & Will states that many users can draft a legal document in under an hour. However, completion times vary depending on the complexity of the estate and the user’s familiarity with the process.

Trust & Will packages typically range from $199 and to $599, depending on the plan selected. After the first year, ongoing revisions cost approximately $12 to $39 annually, depending on the plan. Attorney support and document review services are available for an additional fee of about $300.

To learn more about Trust & Will services, view plan options, or read our comprehensive review.

Nolo Quicken WillMaker & Trust Review

Private Offline Data Storage

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4.4 Stars

Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker & Trust software allows users to create a will, power of attorney, healthcare directive, living trust, and other estate planning documents in one place. An internet connection is required to download the Quicken WillMaker & Trust software, which includes more than 35 estate planning documents.

After downloading the software, a guided interview format walks users through the process at their own pace. To finalize the documents, you must sign and date them according to your state’s requirements. Nolo Quicken WillMaker documents, including signing instructions tailored to your state.

Nolo Quicken WillMaker

Nolo Quicken WillMaker & Trust is a strong choice for families who want to create multiple estate planning documents without paying per person. The software provides detailed guidance throughout the process, and Nolo’s legal team regularly updates the documents to reflect current state laws.

Nolo is one of the few will-making that also lets users organize important personal information for caregivers, such as account details, passwords, and emergency contacts.

Quicken WillMaker & Trust typically costs between $99 to $209, with document storage available only in the top-tier All Access plan. Updating documents in future years generally required purchasing the lastest version of the software. The product is available to most U.S. residents but not supported in Louisiana or U.S. territories due to differing legal requirements.

For more info, read our comprehensive review.

LegalZoom Review

Tailored estate plan (will or trust-based) package options

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4.3 Stars

Like most online will makers, LegalZoom allows users to begin creating a will using a self-guided questionnaire. Unlike some platforms that allow you to explore their process before entering payment details, LegalZoom requires users to create an account and select a service before building documents.

LegalZoom will customize your documents according to your state and goals.

LegalZoom’s flat-fee structure is straightforward for consumers, and its website clearly explains available services and pricing. LegalZoom offers access to attorney assistance in multiple legal specialties for an additional fee, often starting at around $100, depending on the service. The company offers two primary estate planning packages: a will-based plan and a trust-based plan. Unlimited revisions, are available through the Premium plan or by purchasing an add-on subscription, typically priced at $49 per year.

Each estate plan typically includes a last will or living trust, financial power of attorney, healthcare directive, and HIPAA authorization form. LegalZoom provides access to independent attorneys across in all 50 states who can help ensure documents comply with state laws.

FreeWill Review

Free Unlimited Updates

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4.6 Stars

Users can navigate to FreeWill’s will or trust tool to begin creating documents. The process typically takes about 20 minutes, after which users print and sign the documents to make them legally valid.

You’ll need to provide contact information to access FreeWill’s online builder.

FreeWill is a genuinely free online tool for creating a last will and testament or revocable living trust. The platform guides users through document creation in a short series of steps. Documents become legally valid once printed and signed according to state witnessing requirements. FreeWill does not provide online document storage, so users must store printed copies securely.

In addition to being free, FreeWill offers advance healthcare directives, the ability to name a financial power of attorney, and tools to designate beneficiaries for assets not covered by a will, such as retirement accounts and life insurance policies.

US Legal Forms Review

Great Document Management

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4.7 Stars

Users can browse the website’s directory of personal planning documents. Simply select your state and the form you want to create. Forms can be downloaded individually, or users can purchase a Personal Planning Package that includes wills, power of attorney, and estate planning worksheets.

US Legal Form’s Personal Planning package includes necessary end-of-life documents.

US Legal Forms provides access to more than 85,000 legal documents that can be purchased individually in bundles. For example, the Living Trust bundle can be customized based on your state, marital status, and whether you have children. User data is stored in U.S.-based Amazon S3 data centers with high-level physical and digital security protections.

The company operates on a subscription model, allowing users to pay a monthly or annual fee for access to downloadable documents. Annual subscribers may save significantly, and the Premium plan (around $15 per month), allows users to fill and edit forms in a built-in editor before sending them for e-signature.

U.S. Legal Wills Review

Great Flexible Memberships

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4.6 Stars

To generate a legal will, users can choose from prebuilt estate planning packages or build a custom plan. One notable feature is that U.S. Legal Wills allows users to try the service before committing, helping them decide if an online will builder fits their needs. Using the online builder, users enter family and estate details while the platform generates a last will and testament throughout the questionnaire process.

Watch as your will is generated in real time, using your answers to U.S. Legal Will’s self-guided questionnaire.

U.S. Legal Wills offers lifetime document updates, flexible membership options and a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. Users can select bundled packages or build a plan using only the services they need, making U.S. Legal Wills one of the most customizable will-making platforms reviewed. The Premium Will package (around $90) allows users to specify funeral wishes, assign document access, and create messages for loved ones.

U.S. Legal Wills allows users to designate one or more Keyholders. These individuals can access documents when user dies or becomes mentally incapacitated. Keyholders are typically trusted family members or close friends, and users can assign different documents to different Keyholders.

Total Legal Review

Affordable Legal Support

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4.5 Stars

Total Legal functions like other online will services, beginning with a 15-step guided interview. Users answer a series of questions to generate a customized will that complies with their state’s requirements. The process includes instructions for gifting, pet care, heirs, executors, disinheritance, and other estate planning considerations. After completion, users can download and print the document or request a mailed copy for an additional fee. Other legal documents on the platform follow a similar guided process.

Total Legal’s 15-step interview is easy to navigate and uses simple language to guide you through the process of making a will.

Total Legal offers online wills, living wills, financial powers of attorney, medical powers of attorney, and other legal documents. Users can purchase documents individually or subscribe to the TotalLegal™ Plan for discounted legal services and additional features.

A single will can typically be created for about $19.95. Access to legal support and secure document storage requires the TotalLegal™ Plan subscription, which costs about $89 per year or $9.95 per month.

Do Your Own Will Review

Free Wills and Trusts

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4.5 Stars

Users do not need to enter a credit card number or create an account to use the software. Do Your Own Will provides online forms that users complete to generate legal documents. After completion, users can download the document as a PDF or Word document, then print and sign it. An email address is required if you want to return later  to update your documents. Updating documents through Do Your Own Will is free.

Step-by-step instructions, including additional explanations, are available in Do Your Own Will’s online software.

Do Your Own Will offers a similar DIY experience to Nolo’s Quicken Willmaker, but the service is free. However, Do Your Own Will does not offer trust documents, and legal assistance is not available. Even without legal support, the builder dashboard is intuitive and informative, with “Explain it?” prompts available at each step. 

The service can also be used to create guardianship instructions, living wills, bequests, funeral preferences, and digital asset management instructions. 

Do Your Own Will is available in all 50 states, but users must confirm their documents meet state-specific legal requirements. Users receive immediate access to their documentsand can save their will as PDFs or Word documents.

Rocket Lawyer Review

Great Legal Document Selection

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4.5 Stars

While completing the questionnaire, Rocket Lawyer allows users to ask a lawyer for assistance. Users can submit questions through a chat feature, and a legal professional typically responds within one business day. 

Credit card information is required for the free trial, and users must cancel before the trial ends to avoid charges. Rocket Lawyer allows users to download documents, sign them, and invite others to sign electronically.

You can get expert help from a lawyer while building your will with Rocket Lawyer.

Rocket Lawyer offers a free will template, but membership provides document storage and the ability to make unlimited updates during the trial period, with fees applying afterward. 

Rocket Lawyer offers subscription plans that typically cost about $39.99 per month or $239.88 per year, depending on the membership selected. Subscription include attorney services like 30-minute consultations for new legal matters, answers to legal questions, and discounts on local attorney fees.

Gentreo Review

Great Coaching Included

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4.3 Stars

Users can create a Gentreo account for free on the website. Payment is required only after documents are completed and ready to download or share. Within the dashboard, users can create estate planning documents using a guided questionnaire and manage family access. Gentreo’s dashboard includes guidance for updating documents after major life milestones, such as caring for a parent, losing a loved one, or finalizing a divorce.

In Retirement Living’s Gentreo dashboard, we could maintain our digital vault, update documents, and learn valuable estate planning tips.

Gentreo members can make unlimited updates to their documents and share them with family and trusted contacts as needed. Once completed, documents can uploaded to a family vault, where users can control who has access. The platform also offers additional estate planning documents, including healthcare proxies, powers of attorney, and pet trusts. 

Gentreo’s membership includes annual check-ins to help ensure estate plans remain up to date. If state laws change, Gentreo notifies members when updates may be needed. 

However, Gentreo’s digital services are only available while your account remains active. If you cancel your membership, you may lose access to the digital vault, so it’s important to download documents beforehand.

Additional Companies We Considered

Tomorrow, a mobile app that helps people set up digital legal wills and trusts was acquired by life insurance provider Ethos in 2022. In addition to planning your estate via wills and trusts, you can also get life insurance quotes for comprehensive family planning.

Met Life Legal Plans, formally known as Willing.com, partners with employers to offer unlimited access to a network of experienced attorneys who can help you create a will or estate.


How to Create a Trust or Will Online

Online wills and trusts are designed to be easy to use with step-by-step instructions or guided interviews that walk you through creating legal documents. The best online willmakers usel multi-step interviews or questionnaires to create documents customized according to your state’s laws. 

Before creating a will online, gather the following information:

  • Marital status: You will likely name your spouse as a beneficiary and may want to create a mirrored will if you are married.
  • Beneficiaries: Decide who should receive your assets when you pass away and who inherit if a beneficiary dies before you.
  • Children: You can name guardians for minor children (under age 18).
  • Executor: This trusted person is responsible for distributing your assets to named beneficiaries.

Most of the online estate planning services offer technical support if you have questions during the process. Others include informational tooltips that explain each question. 

Expert Buying Tips Online Wills and Trusts 

When creating a will or trust online, keep the following in mind:

  • State requirements for signing a will vary widely. You may need a notary and multiple witnesses who are not related to you or named in the documents. The pricing in this guide does not include notarization costs.
  • If you move, determine whether additional signatures or legal language are required for your will to remain valid in your new state.
  • Wills and trusts can be updated over time. Understand the process for revising your documents and whether fees apply. 

Whether you use a platform’s legal support or your own attorney, it’s wise to have your documents reviewed by an elder law firm in your state to ensure they are complete, accurate, and legally valid. You may also want to involve your financial advisor when planning how your assets will be distributed.

Read more: How to Make Your Will Legal


Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Consider an Online Will?

Online wills and trusts are a low-cost option that are often ideal for people with straightforward estate planning needs. If you die without a will, state laws determine who inherits your property and who may be appointed to care for your children. These documents provide clarity for loved ones and may reduce probate complexity and costs for your heirs. Despite the importance of estate planning, only about one-third of Americans reported having a will in 2024, reflecting a decline from the previous year. Many Americans believe estate planning should begin in their 30s, the average age to create a will is in the early 40s, and fewer than one in three adults have one.

While an online will is beneficial for many people, you may benefit from working with an attorney in the following situations:

  • Complex personal finance situations, such as significant debt or extensive assets
  • Complicated family structures, including blended families, children with special needs, or young dependents
  • Older people with a spouse entering or living in a nursing home or assisted living facility
  • Uncertainty about how to divide your estate

Note: If you live in Louisiana, you may not be able to create a will online. Louisiana has unique legal requirements for wills, and some online providers do not offer services in the state.


How Much Does an Online Will or Trust Cost?

While free will templates are available, most experts recommend using a paid service to create a comprehensive, legally sound document tailored to your family’s needs and stored securely. 

Our research shows that many will and trust platforms cost between $49 and $209 annually, though some offer one-time packages starting around $199 for a will. Additional costs may include document updates, spouse or family plans, and optional legal support. Costs vary depending on the platform and services you choose.

Hiring an attorney to draft a will typically costs between $300 and $1,000 or more. Prices depend on your location and the complexity of your assets. Creating documents online and then having an attorney review them may still save money compared with fully attorney-drafted plans.

From Our Expert

“You NEED to have an attorney look at documents online, DIY documents, and estate planning is not an area you should try to save money with. The worst thing I see is people who do not have the correct documents, or the correct documents that do not include all the language I need, and they find out when it is already too late to fix it. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!”


What to Look for in the Best Online Will Makers

A will ensures your family and the courts understand how you want your property and assets distributed after your death. However, creating a will is often just the first step in comprehensive estate planning. 

Many online will makers also offer estate planning tools that let you set medical directives, manage assets, share documents with family members, and store files securely. 

Additional Estate Planning Documents

The last will and testament is essential, but you should also consider additional estate planning documents that provide more comprehensive protection, such as:

  • A patient advocate designation or a medical power of attorney
  • Trusts documents and funding documents
  • A durable power of attorney
  • Property management documents (e.g., deed transfers )
  • A certificate of trust
  • An asset schedule or inventory
  • A bill of transfer 
  • Letters of last instruction

Unlimited Updates

Make sure you can revise your documents as your circumstances change. Some companies offer unlimited updates for a limited window, while others allow free revisions for up to a year. 

Companies that offer unlimited updates for one year or longer include: 

  • Trust & Will
  • Quicken Willmaker & Trust by Nolo
  • LegalZoom 
  • FreeWill (lifetime updates)
  • U.S. Legal Wills (lifetime updates)
  • Gentreo (lifetime updates)

Expert Estate Planning Tip:

You should update your will, or at least look at it, every three to five years. However, if your finances change, you have a change in your family member status, or the people you’ve appointed are either not well or gone, it’s a good time to update the people in your documents.

Donna Stefans, Esq, AIF, founder and lead attorney at Stefans Law Group

If you are unsure how to proceed, consult an estate planning professional to ensure your wishes are properly documented and carried out. 

Document Storage

Because estate documents contain sensitive information, it’s important to consider how and where they will be stored. Many providers offer secure digital storage that allows users to sign, access, and share documents with beneficiaries and family members. 

When evaluating storage options, look for companies that use strong encryption and security practices, such as Quicken WillMaker & Trust, U.S. Legal Forms, and Trust & Will.

Companies that offer document storage for as long as your account remains active include:

  • Trust & Will
  • U.S. Legal Wills
  • Total Legal
  • Gentreo

From The Expert

“No matter the online storage options, keep a copy of the original document with the original signatures, and an additional copy in a safe place. This protects you from risk if the company goes out of business or your kids have access issues after you pass away.”

Legal Support

While most online wills and trusts can be created independently, consider seeking legal counsel, especially if your estate is complex. At a minimum, have an attorney review your documents. 

Several online will makers offer attorney access or legal guidance for an additional fee. If you anticipate needing guidance, choose a provider that offers legal support alongside document creation.

Companies that offer some form of legal support include:

  • Trust & Will
  • US Legal Forms
  • LegalZoom
  • Total Legal

Family Support

If you are married, you may want reciprocal wills, which are two separate wills that name each spouse as the other’s beneficiary. Some providers offer couples or family plans, allowing multiple people to create documents at a reduced cost.

Companies that allow multiple users under one account include:

  • Trust & Will
  • US Legal Forms
  • U.S. Legal Wills
  • Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker & Trust
  • LegalZoom

FAQs about Online Wills and Trusts

Does a will template work the same as an online will?

No. Templates may be inexpensive, but they typically don’t include guided interviews to customize your document. Many templates are not tailored to state laws, which can create issues for heirs during probate court or the probate process altogether.

Do I need to do anything beyond completing an online will or trust?

Completing a financial power of attorney and a healthcare directive is also essential. Most top online wills and trust platforms guide you through creating these documents. You can also obtain a state-specific health care directive from a hospital, clinic, or government health agency.

Can I skip seeing an attorney if I make an online will or trust?

It’s ideal to consult a lawyer briefly before starting an online will or trust so you understand your state’s requirements. Many online services recommend having an attorney review your completed documents to confirm required language and signatures are correct.

What happens to my will if I move to another state?

A will, trust, and advance directives are generally executed under the laws of the state lived when you signed them.
 
Donna Stefans, Esq, AIF, founder and lead attorney at Stefans Law Group PC, elaborates, “There is reciprocity between states to honor these documents. However, they should be reviewed by an attorney in the new state if you move to make sure all terms are correct based on that new state law, and execution processes are done accordingly.”


Conclusion

Bottom line: Online wills and trusts work best when paired with legal guidance.

Online wills and trusts can meet legal requirements when completed correctly. However, the documents must be signed and executed properly to be valid. State laws can be complex, and online platforms may not provide fully customized estate strategies.

Creating a will or trust online can save time and money while offering convenience. Ideally, consult an attorney before and after completing your documents to ensure accuracy and completeness.