Trust & Will Review – Online Estate Planning – Money Crashers

Estate planning has a weird reputation. People imagine dim lighting, serious faces, and a lawyer billing you by the minute while you nervously wonder if you’re
allowed to ask what “probate” means without getting charged extra. But modern online estate planning exists for a reason: most of us just want a solid will (and
maybe a living trust) without turning it into a three-month project that requires a second mortgage and an emotional support latte.

Trust & Will is one of the best-known names in online estate planning. It promises attorney-designed, state-specific documents, a guided experience, and the ability
to keep your plan updated over time. In this reviewMoney Crashers stylewe’ll break down what you get, what it costs, who it’s best for, and when you should
absolutely call an attorney (because “I own three businesses and a lake house in two states” is not the moment to wing it).

Quick Verdict: Is Trust & Will Worth It?

If you want a straightforward, guided way to create a legally valid will or revocable living trustespecially if you’re a homeowner, a parent, or someone who’s tired
of saying “I really should do that”Trust & Will is a strong option. It’s easy to use, documents are tailored to your state, and you can add attorney support if you
want professional guardrails.

Best for

• People who want an online will with health and financial directives bundled in
• Homeowners considering a revocable living trust to help avoid probate
• Parents who need to name guardians and keep things organized
• Anyone who wants a clean interface, clear pricing, and a plan they can maintain

Not best for

• Complex estates (blended families, unusual asset structures, major tax planning needs)
• Situations involving special needs planning, high-conflict family dynamics, or international property
• People who want a free will and don’t need trust-level planning

What Trust & Will Actually Is (and What It Isn’t)

Trust & Will is an online platform that helps you create estate planning documents through a guided questionnaire. Think “TurboTax, but for your legacy,” except the
goal is fewer tears at 1 a.m. and more peace of mind. You answer questions about your family, assets, healthcare wishes, and who should handle whatthen the platform
generates state-specific documents for you to sign according to your state’s requirements.

Important reality check: Trust & Will is not a law firm and doesn’t claim to replace individualized legal advice. Online services generally provide legal forms and
information. That’s not a flawit’s the business model. It’s fantastic for many everyday situations, but if your scenario is complicated, professional advice can save
your heirs from a future season of “Probate Court: The Reality Show.”

Pricing and Plans

Trust & Will keeps pricing refreshingly straightforward. You choose a Will Plan or a Trust Plan (plus options for an individual or a couple). There’s also an optional
membership component for ongoing updates, and attorney support is available for an additional fee.

Ongoing updates: Trust & Will also offers a membership that supports updates and ongoing plan management features. In general, you’ll see an annual fee around
$19/year for the Will Plan and $39/year for the Trust Plan. If you don’t keep the membership, your documents don’t magically evaporate
you simply lose the ability to keep editing through the platform until you renew.

Attorney support: If you want one-on-one guidance from a licensed estate planning attorney, Trust & Will offers attorney support for an additional fee (commonly shown
as +$299). Consider it the difference between “guided DIY” and “guided DIY with a professional spotter.”

Potential discount: AARP members may be eligible for a discount on Trust & Will plans, which can meaningfully reduce the upfront cost if you already have a membership.

What You Get: Documents Included

Will Plan: the essentials (plus the stuff people forget)

The Will Plan isn’t just a last will and testament. It also bundles documents that cover health decisions and financial authoritybecause life doesn’t schedule emergencies
politely.

• Last Will & Testament (who gets what, executor selection, guardianship nominations for minor children)
• Living Will (your healthcare preferences if you can’t speak for yourself)
• HIPAA Authorization (who can access your medical info when it matters)
• Power of Attorney (who can handle financial/legal matters if you’re incapacitated)

Trust Plan: the probate-avoidance power-up

The Trust Plan includes everything in the Will Plan, plus trust-specific documents designed to help your assets move to your beneficiaries without the probate process
(assuming you fund the trust properlymore on that in a moment).

• Revocable Living Trust
• Pour-Over Will (catches assets left outside the trust)
• Certification of Trust (a summary you can share with institutions without revealing everything)
• Schedule of Assets (a working list of what’s in the trust)
• Trust funding guidance (helpful because “funding the trust” is where many DIY plans go to cry)

How the Online Process Works

Trust & Will’s process is built for normal humansnot just people who collect Latin phrases like Pokémon cards.

1. Pick a plan (will-based or trust-based, individual or couple).
2. Answer a guided questionnaire about family, assets, guardianship, executors/trustees, and healthcare wishes.
3. Review your documents carefully. This is where you slow down and read like the future depends on it (because it kind of does).
4. Sign correctly using your state’s witness and notary rules. Some documents require notarization; some require witnesses; many require both.
5. Store and share access so trusted people can find your documents when needed.
6. Update after life changes (marriage, divorce, kids, moves, major assets, new business, etc.).

Wills vs. Trusts: Choosing the Right Tool

Most people don’t need a trust just because they’ve hit “adulting” level 10. But some people absolutely benefit from one. Here’s the practical difference:

A will

• Takes effect after death
• Usually goes through probate
• Lets you name guardians for minor children
• Works well for simpler estates or when most assets already have beneficiaries (like some retirement accounts)

A revocable living trust

• Can take effect while you’re alive
• Can help assets avoid probate (if properly funded)
• Offers more privacy than a will alone (probate is generally public)
• Useful for homeowners, people with multi-state property, or anyone who wants smoother asset transfer

Translation: if you have minor kids, you need a will no matter what. If you’re a homeowner or have more complexity, a trust may be worth considering so your loved ones
aren’t stuck navigating a slow, expensive court process while grieving.

Pros: Where Trust & Will Shines

1) Clean, guided experience

Trust & Will is known for a user-friendly interface and structured prompts. If the idea of drafting legal documents makes your eye twitch, the guided flow is a huge win.

2) State-specific, attorney-designed documents

Estate planning is not one-size-fits-all across the U.S. State-specific language and signing rules matter. Trust & Will’s approach focuses on documents designed by
attorneys and tailored to your state, which is the minimum standard you want for something this important.

3) Bundled essentials beyond the will

Many people think “estate plan” equals “will,” then forget the documents that matter before deathlike power of attorney and healthcare directives. Trust & Will
includes these, which can be just as critical as the will itself.

4) Updates and long-term maintenance

Life changes. If you’re doing estate planning, you’re basically admitting that you plan to keep livingand that means updates. The ability to revise documents without
starting over is a real quality-of-life feature.

Cons: Where It Can Fall Short

1) Ongoing fees if you want continuous editing

Trust & Will is not a “set it and forget it forever” platform if you anticipate frequent changes. If you want ongoing access to updates, membership fees can add up over
decades. That said, many people only update after major events, so the real cost depends on your lifeand your talent for chaos.

2) Not the same as custom legal counsel

Even with attorney support available, an online platform can’t replace a full attorney-client relationship for complex planning. If you need special needs trust planning,
advanced tax strategy, blended-family planning, or business succession design, you want a dedicated estate attorney.

3) Trust funding is on you

A living trust only helps avoid probate if your assets are actually titled into the trust (or otherwise directed properly). This is the part where people say,
“I made a trust!” and the court later replies, “Cool story, still probate.” Trust & Will provides guidance, but you still need to follow through.

Who Should Use Trust & Will?

You should strongly consider it if…

• You want an online will maker with healthcare and financial directives included
• You have kids and need to name guardians
• You own a home and want to explore a revocable living trust
• You’re comfortable with a guided DIY tool but want the option of attorney support
• You want a neat, organized, shareable estate planning setup

You should consider an attorney-first approach if…

• You have a blended family and want highly customized distribution rules
• You have a family member with disabilities who may need benefits protection
• You own a business, multiple properties, or property in multiple states
• You expect estate tax planning, complicated beneficiary structures, or disputes
• You want sophisticated trust options beyond a standard revocable living trust

Trust & Will vs. Alternatives

The online estate planning market is crowded, so here’s the short, useful comparisonno jargon, no smoke machine.

LegalZoom

Often positioned as a broad legal-services platform with estate planning options. If you want lots of add-ons, extra services, and brand familiarity, LegalZoom is a major
competitor. Trust & Will tends to feel more purpose-built specifically for estate planning.

Rocket Lawyer

More subscription-oriented, with a wide library of legal documents. Great if you want ongoing access to various legal forms and support. Trust & Will is more focused on
the estate planning journey and document set.

Nolo / Quicken WillMaker & Trust

A strong option for DIY-minded users who prefer software-based document creation and broad form libraries. Good value if you like tinkering, less ideal if you want a
guided “just tell me what to do” experience.

FreeWill

Popular for simple wills at no cost (often supported by charitable giving options). It can be a great starting point if you want a basic will and your estate is simple.
Trust & Will tends to be the “pay for polish + trust options” alternative.

GoodTrust and other newer platforms

Some platforms emphasize an all-in-one family vault, digital legacy tools, and broader planning bundles. If you want extra “life admin” features, those may appealbut
compare carefully what’s included versus what costs extra.

Security, Storage, and Sharing

Estate planning isn’t just documentsit’s also “Can my people find this when it matters?” Trust & Will emphasizes secure storage, sharing access with trusted contacts,
and protecting personal information with strong security practices. Regardless of platform, your personal best practice is the same: store your signed documents safely,
tell your executor/trustee where they are, and keep a clean list of key accounts and assets.

Tips to Get It Right the First Time

1) Start with your “who” list before your “stuff” list

Decide who will serve as executor (will) or trustee (trust), who would be guardian for minors, and who should handle finances/healthcare if you can’t. The documents are
easier when the people decisions are made.

2) Make an asset cheat sheet

You don’t need to list every fork you own, but you should know your big buckets: home(s), bank accounts, retirement accounts, investments, insurance, vehicles, and any
business interests. Estate planning goes faster when you’re not guessing.

3) Understand beneficiary designations

Some assets pass by beneficiary form (like many retirement accounts and life insurance). Your will doesn’t always override those. A good estate plan coordinates the whole
picture.

4) If you choose a trust, fund it

A trust is not magic; it’s paperwork plus follow-through. Retitle assets as needed, follow the funding guide, and keep your schedule of assets updated.

5) Follow your state’s signing rules exactly

Most estate plan problems are boring, not dramatic: missing witnesses, wrong notarization, improper execution. Use the platform’s instructions, and don’t improvise.

FAQ

Is an online will legally valid?

Generally, yesif it complies with your state’s requirements and is properly signed/witnessed/notarized where required. The “properly executed” part is the whole game.

Do I need a trust or just a will?

If you have minor children, you need a will. You may also want a trust if you’re a homeowner, want to avoid probate, want more privacy, or have enough assets that smoother
transfer is a priority.

Can I update my documents later?

Yes. Trust & Will is built around ongoing plan management. Membership fees may apply for continued editing, depending on your plan and timing.

What’s the biggest mistake people make with online estate planning?

Two classics: (1) signing incorrectly, and (2) creating a trust but never funding it. Both are fixableif you catch them before your family pays the price.

Real-World Experiences: What It Feels Like to Actually Do This Stuff

Let’s talk about the part no one puts in the brochure: the emotional and practical “experience layer” of estate planning. Because even with a slick online platform, this
is still the moment where you sit down and decide who gets what, who’s in charge, and what happens if life goes sideways. It’s not gloomy, exactlyit’s just real.

The first surprise for most people is how fast the “easy questions” run out. You start strong: name, address, marital status. Then it hits you: “Who would raise the
kids if both of us died?” That’s a serious question, and it often triggers the kind of conversation couples delay for yearsnot because they don’t care, but because it’s
awkward. A guided tool like Trust & Will can actually help here, because it forces the conversation into manageable chunks. You’re not trying to solve your entire
legacy in one sitting; you’re answering one prompt at a time.

Another common experience: people underestimate how many “agents” they’re naming. Executor, guardian, trustee, healthcare agent, financial power of attorneysometimes it’s
the same person, sometimes it shouldn’t be. In real life, you might love your brother dearly but not want him managing money, especially if his budgeting style is
“YOLO.” Online estate planning makes you see these roles separately, which is a quiet superpower. The best plans are practical, not sentimental. (Sentiment is for the
letter you leave your familynot for who gets access to your bank account.)

Then there’s the “asset inventory moment,” where you discover you have more financial accounts than you thought. That old 401(k) from a prior job. The random brokerage
account you opened during a “I’m going to learn investing” phase. The life insurance policy you keep meaning to review. Estate planning surfaces all of itand that’s
good. Many people end up using the process as a spring cleaning for their financial life: consolidating accounts, updating beneficiaries, and creating a simple list of
where things are. Your heirs will thank you. Possibly in tears. Possibly with cookies.

The biggest practical lesson people report is this: signing day matters. You can do everything right online and still mess it up with sloppy execution. Plan your signing
like you plan a dentist appointment. Get the witnesses lined up. Confirm whether notarization is needed. Don’t do it half-asleep at midnight with a neighbor who’s
holding a pizza in one hand and a pen in the other. You want witnesses who can credibly confirm you signed willingly and were of sound mindnot witnesses who can’t
remember why they came over.

Finally, there’s the oddly satisfying “after” feeling. Once it’s done and stored, many people describe a sense of relief that is disproportionate to the time spent.
It’s like filing taxes, except instead of dread you get calm. And that calm has ripple effects: you’re more likely to review insurance coverage, talk to family about
important wishes, and revisit beneficiary designations. Estate planning, done well, is less about death and more about removing uncertainty for the people you love.
That’s a pretty great trade for an hour of focus and a slightly uncomfortable conversation.

Conclusion

Trust & Will is a polished, user-friendly online estate planning platform that covers the documents most families actually need: a will (with guardianship), healthcare
directives, power of attorney, andif appropriatea revocable living trust to help avoid probate. The pricing is transparent, the workflow is approachable, and you can add
attorney support if your situation calls for professional guidance.

The best estate plan is the one you actually complete. If Trust & Will gets you from “I should do this someday” to “It’s signed, stored, and shared,” that’s not just
convenientit’s a genuine financial and emotional gift to your future family.