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Trust & Will is an online estate planning platform that allows you to create documents such as wills, trusts and guardianships. Because it’s available entirely online, you won’t need to download software to your computer. The tool can be a huge help in estate planning, as it combines a wide range of services with a modern design that’s easy to navigate. However, Trust & Will is on the more expensive side. Still, it can provide a worthwhile value for many users, depending on their estate planning needs.
Not sure about using an online program to do your estate planning? You may want to work with a financial advisor.
Trust & Will Pros and Cons
When considering an online estate planning service, Trust & Will stands out as a popular option. It offers a streamlined, user-friendly approach to creating wills, trusts and other essential legal documents.
However, like any service, it comes with both advantages and drawbacks. In this section, we’ll explore the pros and cons of Trust & Will, helping you determine whether it’s the right fit for your estate planning needs.
| Trust & Will Overview | |
|---|---|
| Pros | – Simple user experience – Comprehensive estate planning services – Easily download or mail documents |
| Cons | – Fairly expensive |
| Best For | Anyone who doesn’t mind paying a bit for a complete set of estate planning offerings |
Trust & Will: Services and Features
Trust & Will is a comprehensive estate planning platform that you can easily use through your computer’s browser. It offers access to many different estate planning necessities.
The platform’s services are divided into three main plans: Trust, Will and Guardian. Within these, there are several additional subdivisions. Most of these surround the Will plan, which you can use to create a regular will, a living will, a HIPAA authorization and authorized power of attorney.
The company’s Trust and Guardian plans don’t have as many different offerings, but it’s just as easy to use them to create the type of trust and guardianship documents you need. Plus, you can make as many revisions to your documents as needed in a given year.
Once you’ve completed your forms, Trust & Will allows you to either download your documents or have them mailed to you at no extra charge. From there, you’ll need yourself and two witnesses to sign your documents. You also may need to get them notarized.
Trust & Will: Pricing
Trust & Will has several different price tiers depending on the types of documents you’d like to create. You can open an account at no charge, but creating and accessing your documents is a paid service. Wills are the cheapest option, with trusts costing more, mainly because trusts are more complex and detailed.
| Plan | Individual | Couple |
|---|---|---|
| Will Plan | $199 | $299 |
| Trust Plan | $499 | $599 |
For those with paid membership, Trust & Will offers one complimentary shipment of their documents per billing cycle. Beyond that, there is a $25 print-and-ship fee. If you want to speak with an estate planning attorney about your situation, that support is available for a one-time fee of $299.
Note: Trust & Will’s pricing changes periodically and can vary by state or promotion, so it’s worth confirming current rates directly on their site before relying on any published figure, including this one.
Trust & Will: Customer Support
Trust & Will is an online platform that grants users access to a plethora of helpful guides and articles that review all of the steps of the estate planning process. It also has a support phone number and chatline that’s available on the weekdays.
While the Will, Trust and Guardian plans don’t come with attorney support, users can purchase a year of unlimited attorney access for $299. If you buy this service, an estate planning attorney will help you review your documents, offer legal advice, review any taxes applicable to your situation and more. You can also opt to set up an appointment with an attorney completely on your own.
Trust & Will: Online Experience
Trust & Will has a great online experience. Its tools are readily available and easily accessible. You also won’t need to download any software, as you can create an account, make payments and edit your documents right in your browser window. This service is relatively young, so the user interface has a modern look to it as well.
When you’re in the process of creating a document, Trust & Will explains each step in simple but informative detail. You can also see things like the most common answer at each step, which can help you better understand what you’re doing as you move forward. Even when faced with difficult questions that you might not understand, such as digital assets, specific executor powers or taxes, Trust & Will makes it easy to understand.
Plus, as we mentioned above, you can also chat with a Trust & Will representative for free. Once you complete your questionnaire, Trust & Will will send it to you at no charge. From there, you may have to see a notary or an attorney, but the document creation process will be finished online.
How Does Trust & Will Stack Up?
Trust & Will stands out above other estate planning services largely due to its ease of use compared to other downloadable software, like, for instance, Quicken WillMaker & Trust. The program has just about everything you’d need, like access to an attorney, multiple types of documents, detailed learning resources and more.
To get these great benefits, though, you’ll need to pay. Among its competitors, Trust & Will’s services are some of the most expensive, though the Will plan is generally more affordable than the Trust plan.
Comparing Trust & Will to Other Services
| Service | Pricing | Features | Accessibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust & Will | Will: $199 ($299 for couples); Trust: $499 ($599 for couples) | Guided will and trust creation; attorney support available; digital document vault | Web-based program |
| Rocket Lawyer | Starting at $34.99/month membership; free seven-day trial for ‘Standard’ tier | Sessions with a lawyer; custom legal forms; online Q&A with lawyers; document defense; form an LLC, corporation or non-profit; registered agent service | Web-based program |
| Quicken WillMaker & Trust | $109 (will) to $149 (trust); no membership required | Wills; name an executor; trusts; final arrangements; specify how to handle debts; health care directive | Software |
Bottom Line
Trust & Will provides a convenient way to create estate planning documents online, though its higher cost may be a drawback. While more expensive than some DIY options, it remains significantly cheaper than hiring an attorney for personalized legal guidance. If you prefer a fully digital process and are comfortable with standardized templates, this service could be a great fit. Simply put, Will & Trust is a great option for most when it comes to easy DIY estate planning.
Tips for Estate Planning
- Estate planning involves many complex topics, such as taxes, financial planning, legal issues and more. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
- Online or downloadable estate planning software might not work for your particular situation. When it comes to hiring a lawyer to help with estate planning, make sure you’re prepared.
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