Trust & Will Review

Trust & Will is an online estate planning platform that allows you to create legally valid wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents without visiting an attorney’s office. The service uses state-specific forms and guidance to help you complete essential documents like wills, revocable living trusts, and advance directives from your computer or mobile device.

For many people facing the need to create or update estate planning documents, Trust & Will offers a middle ground between expensive attorney fees and risky do-it-yourself approaches. The platform costs significantly less than traditional legal services while providing more structure and state-specific guidance than generic online forms.

How Trust & Will Works

Trust & Will operates as a guided online questionnaire system. After you create an account and select your state, the platform walks you through a series of questions about your assets, beneficiaries, and preferences. The system then generates legally compliant documents based on your state’s requirements.

The process typically takes 15 to 30 minutes for a basic will. More complex documents like revocable living trusts may require additional time to complete all sections thoroughly. Once you finish the questionnaire, Trust & Will generates your documents as PDFs that you can download, print, and execute according to your state’s signing requirements.

The platform includes step-by-step instructions for properly executing your documents. Most states require wills to be signed in the presence of two witnesses who are not beneficiaries. Trust & Will provides clear guidance on these requirements for your specific location.

Available Documents and Services

Trust & Will offers several tiers of estate planning documents. The basic will package includes a last will and testament, HIPAA authorization, and instructions for execution. Higher-tier packages add revocable living trusts, pour-over wills, financial powers of attorney, and advance healthcare directives.

The trust documents are particularly useful for people who want to avoid probate or have complex family situations. A revocable living trust allows your assets to pass directly to beneficiaries without court involvement, which can save time and money for your heirs. This becomes especially important when someone dies and the family needs to handle the estate.

Trust & Will also provides ongoing support through document updates. If your circumstances change, you can log back into your account and modify your documents. The platform charges a small fee for updates, but this is typically much less expensive than returning to an attorney for revisions.

Pricing and Cost Comparison

Trust & Will operates on a tiered pricing model. The basic will package starts at $159, while comprehensive trust packages can cost $399 or more. Annual subscriptions are also available for people who anticipate making frequent updates to their documents.

Compared to traditional attorney fees, Trust & Will offers significant savings. Most attorneys charge $300 to $1,000 for a basic will, and comprehensive estate plans including trusts often cost $1,500 to $3,000 or more. Trust & Will provides similar documents at a fraction of these costs.

Source: American Bar Association Estate Planning Resources

However, the cost comparison depends on your specific needs. People with straightforward estates and clear beneficiary intentions often find Trust & Will perfectly adequate. Those with complex business interests, blended families, or significant assets may still benefit from personalized attorney guidance despite the higher cost.

State-Specific Compliance

One of Trust & Will’s strengths is its attention to state-specific requirements. Estate planning laws vary significantly between states, and documents that are valid in one state may not meet requirements in another. Trust & Will maintains separate questionnaires and document templates for each state to ensure compliance.

The platform updates its forms regularly to reflect changes in state laws. This ongoing maintenance is crucial because estate planning requirements can change, and outdated documents may not provide the protection you intended.

For people who move between states, Trust & Will offers guidance on whether your existing documents remain valid or need to be updated. Some documents transfer easily between states, while others may require modification to meet new state requirements.

User Experience and Interface

Trust & Will’s interface is designed for people without legal training. The platform uses plain English rather than legal jargon and provides explanations for unfamiliar terms. Each section includes help text and examples to guide your decisions.

The questionnaire format prevents you from overlooking important considerations. Rather than facing a blank document, you respond to specific questions about your assets, family situation, and preferences. This guided approach helps ensure you address all relevant issues in your estate plan.

The platform saves your progress automatically, so you can complete your documents over multiple sessions. This is particularly helpful for trust documents, which may require you to gather detailed information about your assets and beneficiaries.

Document Quality and Legal Validity

Trust & Will’s documents are created by attorneys and reviewed for compliance with state laws. The platform includes standard legal language and provisions that address common estate planning scenarios. For straightforward situations, these documents provide the same legal protection as attorney-drafted versions.

However, the standardized format means Trust & Will cannot accommodate highly unusual situations or complex legal strategies. The platform works well for people with typical family structures and straightforward asset distribution goals, but it may not address unique circumstances that require custom legal language.

The documents Trust & Will generates are legally valid when properly executed according to state requirements. The platform provides detailed execution instructions, but you remain responsible for following these requirements correctly. Improper execution can invalidate even perfectly drafted documents.

Customer Support and Resources

Trust & Will provides customer support through email and live chat during business hours. The support team can answer questions about the platform’s features and help troubleshoot technical issues. However, they cannot provide legal advice about your specific situation or recommend particular choices for your estate plan.

The platform includes an extensive knowledge base with articles about estate planning concepts and state-specific requirements. These resources help you understand the implications of different choices and make informed decisions about your documents.

For people who want more personalized guidance, Trust & Will offers optional consultations with attorneys for an additional fee. These consultations can help you understand whether the platform’s standard documents meet your needs or whether you should consider more complex planning strategies.

Security and Privacy

Trust & Will uses bank-level encryption to protect your personal and financial information. The platform stores your data on secure servers and requires strong passwords for account access. You can delete your account and associated data at any time if you choose to stop using the service.

The platform does not share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes. Trust & Will’s privacy policy explains how your data is collected, used, and protected throughout your relationship with the service.

Your completed documents are stored securely in your online account, where you can access them anytime. This digital storage provides a backup copy of your important documents, which can be valuable if physical copies are lost or damaged. When someone dies and families need access to estate documents, having secure digital copies available can significantly simplify the process.

Limitations and Considerations

Trust & Will works best for people with relatively straightforward estate planning needs. The platform may not be suitable if you have complex business interests, significant tax planning concerns, or unusual family situations that require custom legal strategies.

The standardized format means you cannot make unlimited modifications to the legal language. While Trust & Will covers most common scenarios, you may need traditional attorney services for highly specific requirements or complex planning techniques.

Trust & Will also cannot provide ongoing legal advice about your estate plan. If questions arise about how your documents interact with changing laws or life circumstances, you may need to consult with a local attorney who can provide personalized guidance.

When Trust & Will Makes Sense

Trust & Will is particularly valuable for people who have been procrastinating on estate planning due to cost or complexity concerns. The platform removes many barriers to creating essential documents like wills and advance directives.

The service works well for people with straightforward family situations, moderate assets, and clear ideas about how they want their estate distributed. Young families creating their first wills often find Trust & Will perfectly adequate for their needs.

People who want to create basic documents quickly and then potentially work with an attorney later for more complex planning also benefit from Trust & Will’s approach. Having basic documents in place provides immediate protection while you consider more comprehensive strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Trust & Will documents legally binding?

Yes, Trust & Will documents are legally valid when properly executed according to your state’s requirements. The platform generates state-specific documents that comply with local laws. However, you must follow the execution instructions correctly, including proper witnessing and notarization where required.

Can I update my documents after they are created?

Trust & Will allows you to update your documents through your online account. The platform charges a fee for updates, but this is typically much less expensive than hiring an attorney for revisions. You can make changes to beneficiaries, asset distribution, and other provisions as your circumstances change.

What happens if I move to a different state?

Trust & Will provides guidance on whether your existing documents remain valid in your new state. Some documents transfer easily between states, while others may need modification to comply with different state requirements. The platform can help you create new documents that meet your new state’s laws.

How does Trust & Will compare to hiring an attorney?

Trust & Will costs significantly less than traditional attorney services and works well for straightforward estate planning needs. However, attorneys can provide personalized advice and create custom solutions for complex situations. The choice depends on your specific circumstances and comfort level with standardized documents.

Can Trust & Will help with probate avoidance?

Yes, Trust & Will’s trust packages include revocable living trusts that can help your assets avoid probate. These trusts allow your property to pass directly to beneficiaries without court involvement, potentially saving time and money for your heirs. The platform provides guidance on funding your trust properly to achieve probate avoidance benefits.

This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, medical, or financial advice. Always consult qualified professionals for guidance specific to your situation.