Top Online Will and Trust Services: Your Complete Comparison Guide for 2026

Deciding whether to create a will or trust online is one of the most important financial decisions you can make. With so many online will and trust platforms available today, finding the right service means balancing cost, legitimacy, ease of use, and peace of mind. We reviewed five leading options—LawDepot, LegalZoom, Nolo, Rocket Lawyer, and Trust & Will—to help you make an informed choice.

Key Essentials When Choosing Your Online Will and Trust Service

Before diving into specific platforms, here are the critical factors that should guide your decision:

Legitimate and State-Compliant Documents - Online will and trust services can be just as legally binding as attorney-drafted ones when executed correctly. The key is ensuring your documents meet your state’s specific requirements.

Transparent, Predictable Pricing - Look for services that clearly explain their costs upfront. Watch out for hidden fees or automatic renewal traps that could drain your budget over time.

Responsive Customer Support - Quality online will and trust platforms provide multiple support channels—phone, email, live chat—not just FAQ pages.

State-Specific Customization - Your documents must comply with your state’s inheritance laws. Services that tailor wills and trusts to local legal requirements are worth the investment.

Educational Resources - The best online will and trust providers offer learning centers and clear explanations, helping you understand estate planning basics before making decisions.

Do You Actually Need a Will or Trust? A Decision Framework

The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all, and many people are confused about this critical question.

You Should Create a Will If:

You own any assets—even if it’s just a bank account or a car. You want to ensure your property goes to your chosen beneficiaries, not according to state intestate succession laws. You have minor children and want to name guardians to care for them. You want to appoint an executor to handle your estate and pay final bills.

If you have children, naming guardians in your will protects them and prevents family conflicts over custody. Similarly, a financial power of attorney lets someone manage your finances if you’re incapacitated, and a medical power of attorney ensures your healthcare wishes are respected.

According to surveys by Caring.com, while 32% of Americans have a will, 40% of those without one believe they don’t have enough assets to need planning. However, over one-third of respondents across all age groups say adults should establish a will before turning 35.

You Might Skip a Traditional Will If:

You have no assets and no dependents. You’re willing to let state inheritance laws determine who receives everything (usually spouse first, then parents, then siblings). However, even in these cases, a financial and medical power of attorney remains highly valuable.

When a Trust Might Be Better Than a Will:

Living trusts allow assets to bypass probate entirely, saving your beneficiaries thousands in court fees and months of waiting. If you own property, especially real estate, a revocable living trust can be more efficient than a will alone. Consider California as an example: if someone passes with only a will, their probate process typically takes 1-2 years and costs tens of thousands. Adding a revocable living trust to the plan avoids this entirely.

Generally, trusts cost more to create and maintain than wills but are essential for larger or more complex estates—typically those with $75,000-$150,000 or more in non-retirement assets.

Comparing the Top 5 Online Will and Trust Platforms

LawDepot: Maximum Flexibility and DIY Options

Pricing: Free 7-day trial, $8.99-$12.99/month, or pay-per-document ($7.50-$119)

What You Get: Online platform for creating customized legal documents for personal or business estate planning. Choose between yearly subscriptions ($107.88-$155.88 annually) or monthly plans. One-Year Pro plans include unlimited document printing; after the trial ends, standard monthly fees apply ($35-$49/month).

LawDepot targets the truly DIY crowd. Its strength lies in flexibility—monthly subscriptions can cancel anytime without penalty. The platform includes helpful blogs and educational materials curated by lawyers for each document type.

Customer support is available weekdays 8 AM-7 PM ET via phone, email, and live chat. A unique feature: if you suffer legal damages from company errors, LawDepot guarantees up to $10,000 in coverage. This gives you added security that their documents are reliable.

Best For: Budget-conscious individuals who don’t need attorney review and want maximum flexibility with cancellation options.

LegalZoom: Attorney-Backed Documents in All 50 States

Pricing: $35-$279, with specific services starting at $39 (financial POA, living wills) to $399 (living trusts). Wills begin at $99.

What You Get: LegalZoom employs independent attorneys licensed in all 50 states. Answer a questionnaire or work directly with their attorneys to ensure documents comply with your state’s laws. Flat-fee pricing with no hidden charges. Optional attorney review and phone consultations available for an additional fee.

Beyond estate planning, LegalZoom offers legal services for business formation (LLC, C-Corp, S-Corp, nonprofits), business licensing, trademark and copyright registration, and even specialized advice for creatives and entrepreneurs.

The company offers personalized legal support through its law firm, LZ Legal Services, which co-counsels with local attorneys if you need deeper guidance.

Best For: People who want attorney-backed assurance across all 50 states but prefer handling most work independently. Also ideal if you’re starting a business alongside your estate planning.

Nolo: Comprehensive All-in-One Desktop Software

Pricing: Three plans ranging from $109-$149. Starter ($109), Plus ($149), All Access ($149, includes 1-year Everplans subscription)

What You Get: Downloadable software for Windows and Mac with customizable templates for wills, living trusts, healthcare directives, financial powers of attorney, and more.

Starter Plan includes your will, healthcare directives, and final expense planning. Plus Plan adds comprehensive estate planning, powers of attorney, living trusts, and letters to survivors. All Access includes all Plus features plus one-year access to Everplans, a digital estate planning tool that helps organize and store your documents securely.

Nolo maintains one of the web’s largest consumer-friendly legal libraries. The company offers a free attorney-matching service connecting you with 30,000+ lawyers in their directory—typically with contact within 1-2 hours of filling out your legal issue description.

Best For: Those wanting comprehensive, downloadable software they can reference anytime and comprehensive estate planning in one package.

Trust & Will: Streamlined Trust and Will Preparation

Pricing: Individual trusts or wills at $199-$499; couples pay $100 more. Updates cost $19 (wills) or $39 (trusts) annually after year one. Optional unlimited updates and legal reviews: $12/year.

What You Get: State-specific trust, will, and guardianship documents reviewed by the company’s legal team before delivery. Will packages include HIPAA authorizations, living will documents, and POA forms. Trust packages include revocable living trusts, asset schedules, pour-over wills, HIPAA authorizations, living wills, powers of attorney, and trust certifications.

All documents are stored online for easy access and future updates. Trust & Will clearly states it provides legal forms and information but is not a law firm and cannot replace attorney advice for complex estate planning situations.

Best For: Those prioritizing simplicity with professional legal review included. The transparent annual update pricing appeals to people who anticipate life changes.

Rocket Lawyer: Flexible Subscription Model with Attorney Add-Ons

Pricing: Rocket Legal ($39.99/month, billed monthly) or Rocket Legal+™ ($19.99/month, billed annually)

What You Get: Online legal services for business, personal, and estate planning. Both tiers include self-guided questionnaires directing you to needed documents. The premium tier (Legal+) adds partner offers, half-off professional services, consultations with a “Legal Pro,” tax preparation, business registration, trademark services, and registered agent service.

A mobile app for iOS lets you sign contracts electronically and store documents securely. Note: subscriptions auto-renew with automatic payments, so tracking your renewal date is essential.

Best For: Those wanting a comprehensive legal services subscription beyond just estate planning, with attorney consultation options available.

Are DIY Online Will Services Worth the Risk?

Creating a will online costs significantly less than hiring an attorney—often just $10-$150 versus attorney fees of $100-$500+ per hour. You’ll find inexpensive DIY kits at office supply stores for as little as $5.

The Hidden Danger: Generic, non-customized forms often fail to address complex situations. What happens if you have a child with substance abuse issues, special needs, or who’s irresponsible with money? What if you want to protect your children from creditors or ensure government benefits aren’t jeopardized?

According to estate planning experts, cheap DIY documents create a false sense of security. A poorly drafted will can lead to more family disputes and costly litigation than having no plan at all. The American Bar Association has warned that online DIY services may create legal problems down the road.

The Reality: Online wills can be just as legitimate as attorney-drafted ones—if you execute them correctly. Your will must meet these legal requirements:

• The testator (you) must be of sound mind when signing
• Your signature and date must be included
• The document must be notarized
• Depending on your state, one or more witnesses must sign

For straightforward situations with simple asset distribution, online will and trust services work well. For anything complex, consider having an attorney review your documents before filing.

How to Start Your Online Will and Trust Journey

Step 1: Ask for Personal Recommendations

Talk to friends and family about their experiences with estate planning. Most estate planning attorneys offer free or low-cost initial consultations where they can walk you through your state’s specific laws and what happens to your estate without planning.

Step 2: Gather Your Financial Information

Before you start, assemble:

• Deeds to property or real estate
• Business ownership documents
• Vehicle titles
• Bank and investment account statements
• Stocks and bonds documentation
• Jewelry and art valuations

Step 3: List Your Debts

Document all current debts—mortgages, loans, credit cards, etc.

Step 4: Identify Your Beneficiaries

For each beneficiary, gather:

• Full name
• Complete address
• Phone number
• Social security number
• Date of birth
• Birth certificate information

If you have minor children or family members with special needs, identify potential guardians.

Step 5: Choose Your Platform

Compare the five services above based on your complexity level, budget, and support needs.

Understanding Key Estate Planning Terms

What is a Will?

A will is a legal document specifying how your assets should be distributed after death. Without a will, state intestate succession laws determine distribution—typically spouse first, then parents, then siblings. A will also lets you appoint an executor to handle bills and ensure your wishes are carried out.

Some states allow handwritten “holographic wills,” though most require electronic documents. To prevent contests after death, holographic wills must be witnessed and notarized. A few states allow oral wills (nuncupative wills), valid only if the testator knows they’re dying and has three witnesses over age 14.

What is Probate?

Probate is the court process validating your will after death. All assets, debts, and claims are temporarily frozen until the court deems the will valid and assets are distributed. The American Bar Association reports average probate takes 6-9 months. According to AARP, costs depend on state law and estate size but typically run $1,500 or more—potentially much higher if the will is invalid or contested.

What is a Trust?

A trust transfers your estate through a trustee (a third party) who executes assets on behalf of beneficiaries. Unlike wills, trusts avoid probate entirely, saving beneficiaries court and attorney fees, estate taxes, and time. Property is protected from creditors and passes directly to beneficiaries.

Trusts cost more to create and maintain than wills and are typically used for larger, more complex estates.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Wills and Trusts

Can I write my own will and have it notarized?

Some states allow holographic (handwritten) wills. Check your specific state requirements before starting. Many states also offer advance directive forms for financial and healthcare powers of attorney that you can complete, sign, and have witnessed or notarized at low cost.

What’s the difference between a will and a living will?

A will distributes your assets after death. A living will (advance healthcare directive) specifies your medical wishes if you become incapacitated while alive—organ donation preferences, life support decisions, etc.

Do I need both a will and a trust?

It depends. Simple estates with few assets may need only a will. Larger estates, real property ownership, or complex circumstances often benefit from having both—the will handles any assets outside the trust, while the trust manages the bulk of your estate outside probate.

How often should I update my will or trust?

Update whenever major life changes occur: marriage, divorce, births, significant asset changes, or relocation to another state. Many online services make updates easier through subscriptions, though some experts warn against paying yearly fees unless an attorney reviews your plan annually.

Is an online will and trust service legitimate?

Yes, as long as you choose a reputable platform and execute documents correctly according to your state’s requirements. The key is proper execution—signature, notarization, witnesses if required—not whether a lawyer drafted it.

Making Your Final Decision

Choosing the best online will and trust service means matching the platform to your specific needs. If you have straightforward finances and want maximum affordability, LawDepot or Rocket Lawyer offer flexibility. If you want attorney assurance across all states, LegalZoom provides peace of mind. For comprehensive all-in-one solutions, Nolo offers excellent value. Trust & Will emphasizes simplicity and included legal review. Whatever you choose, ensure your documents comply with your state’s laws and are executed correctly—that’s what makes them legitimate.

Don’t let uncertainty prevent you from taking action. An imperfect online will is better than no plan at all, and many of these services let you upgrade to attorney consultation if your situation becomes more complex during the process.