Creating a will or trust used to mean booking appointments with lawyers, paying hefty fees, and dealing with complicated legal jargon. Now you can do it online in an hour or two.
Online estate planning platforms let you create legally valid wills and trusts from your couch. You answer questions, the software generates the documents, and you’re done. No lawyer’s office, no expensive consultations, no waiting weeks for paperwork.
But are these online services actually reliable? Can a $99 online will really protect your assets and family? Let’s look at how online wills and trusts work, what they cost, and when they make sense.
What Is Online Will And Trust?
An online will and trust are estate planning documents you create using digital platforms instead of hiring a lawyer.
Online Wills
A will is a legal document that says what happens to your stuff when you die. It covers:
Beneficiaries – Who gets your assets (money, property, belongings)
Executor – The person who carries out your wishes and handles your estate
Guardians – Who takes care of your minor children if something happens to you
Specific Bequests – Special items going to specific people (grandma’s ring to your daughter, the boat to your brother)
Online Trusts
A trust is a legal arrangement where someone manages assets for the benefit of others. The key players are:
Grantor – You, the person creating and funding the trust
Trustee – The person or institution managing the trust assets
Beneficiaries – The people who eventually receive the trust assets
Trusts can help you avoid probate, reduce estate taxes, and control how assets are distributed over time.
How Online Services Work
Online platforms walk you through a series of questions:
- What assets do you own?
- Who do you want to inherit them?
- Who should be your executor?
- Do you have minor children who need guardians?
The software uses your answers to generate legal documents that comply with your state’s laws. You review, sign, get the documents notarized if required, and you’re done.
Benefits of Online Wills and Trusts
Way Cheaper Than a Lawyer
Traditional estate planning with an attorney costs anywhere from $300 to $3,000+ depending on complexity. Online services run $20 to $200 for most people.
That’s not a small difference. For straightforward estates—you want everything to go to your spouse, or divided equally among your kids—paying thousands for a lawyer doesn’t make sense.
You’re also not paying hourly rates. No $400/hour for a 20-minute phone call to ask a question.
Do It On Your Own Schedule
Online platforms are available 24/7. Create your will at 11 PM on a Tuesday if that’s when you have time. No scheduling appointments weeks out, no taking time off work, no finding childcare so you can sit in a law office.
Most people can complete an online will in 30-60 minutes. A living trust might take 2-3 hours. You can save your progress and come back to it whenever you want.
Easy to Update
Life changes. You get married, divorced, have kids, buy a house, or lose a family member. Your will needs to reflect these changes.
With online services, you log in and make updates. No scheduling another expensive appointment. Most platforms let you revise your documents for free or a small fee.
Accessible Anywhere
Got internet? You can create estate planning documents. This matters for people in rural areas without easy access to estate planning attorneys, or anyone who just can’t easily get to a lawyer’s office.
You can also access your documents from anywhere to share them with family members or your executor.
Potential Drawbacks
Online wills and trusts work great for many people, but they’re not perfect for everyone.
Complex Situations Need Real Lawyers
Online platforms handle standard situations well. They struggle with:
- Blended families with complicated inheritance wishes
- Large estates with significant tax implications
- Business ownership that needs special planning
- Special needs trusts for disabled beneficiaries
- Contentious family situations likely to result in disputes
If your situation is complicated, the money you save online might cost you in problems later.
State Law Variations
Estate planning laws vary by state. Good online platforms account for this, but you need to make sure the service you choose complies with your state’s specific requirements.
Some states have particular rules about witness requirements, notarization, or what makes a will valid. A one-size-fits-all approach can create invalid documents.
Security Concerns
You’re putting sensitive information online: your assets, your family details, your wishes. Reputable platforms use encryption and secure servers, but there’s always some risk with online services.
Make sure any platform you use has:
- SSL encryption (look for “https” in the URL)
- Clear privacy policies
- Two-factor authentication options
- Regular security audits
Missing the Personal Touch
Lawyers don’t just draft documents. They ask questions you might not think of, catch potential problems, and offer advice based on experience.
An online form can’t anticipate your unique situation or warn you about potential family conflicts. It just asks questions and fills in blanks.
Top Online Will and Trust Services
Several platforms dominate the online estate planning market.
LegalZoom
LegalZoom is probably the most well-known option. They offer:
- Wills starting around $99
- Living trusts starting around $279
- State-specific documents
- Optional attorney review
- Customer support via phone and email
Good for: People who want a recognizable brand name and are willing to pay a bit more for it.
USLegalWills.com
USLegalWills.com has been publishing legal DIY books for decades. Their online service includes:
- Wills for about $69-$130
- Extensive articles and guides explaining legal concepts
- Plain-English explanations
Good for: People who want to understand the “why” behind the documents, not just fill out forms.
Rocket Lawyer
Rocket Lawyer works on a subscription model (around $40/month):
- Unlimited documents
- Access to attorney advice
- Document storage
- Easy updates and revisions
Good for: People who need ongoing legal document access or want the ability to ask lawyers questions.
Trust & Will
Trust & Will offers a modern, user-friendly interface:
- Wills starting around $159
- Trusts around $399
- Couples packages available
- Unlimited updates included
- Mobile-friendly platform
Good for: People who value sleek design and ease of use.
Each platform has slightly different features and pricing. Compare a few before committing.
How to Create Your Online Will or Trust
Step 1: Pick Your Platform
Research the options above. Consider:
- What documents do you need? (Just a will, or trust too?)
- What’s your budget?
- Do you want access to legal advice?
- How important is customer support?
Read reviews from actual users. Look for complaints about customer service or legal validity issues.
Step 2: Gather Your Information
Before you start, collect:
Asset Information:
- Bank and investment accounts
- Real estate and property
- Vehicles
- Life insurance policies
- Retirement accounts
- Business interests
- Valuable personal property
People Information:
- Full legal names of beneficiaries
- Contact information for your executor
- Names of potential guardians for minor children
- Social Security numbers (for trusts)
Having everything ready makes the process much faster.
Step 3: Answer the Questions
Log into your chosen platform and work through their questionnaire. Be thorough and accurate.
Common questions include:
- Are you married? Do you have children?
- What property do you own?
- Who should inherit what?
- Who should be your executor?
- Do you want to leave anything to charity?
- Any special instructions or wishes?
Take your time. You can usually save and come back if you need to look something up.
Step 4: Review and Customize
The platform generates your documents based on your answers. Read everything carefully.
Make sure:
- All names are spelled correctly
- Asset descriptions are accurate
- Your wishes are clearly stated
- Nothing important is missing
Most platforms let you customize language or add special provisions.
Step 5: Sign and Notarize
Different states have different requirements, but generally you’ll need:
For Wills:
- Your signature
- Two witnesses (who aren’t beneficiaries)
- Sometimes notarization
For Trusts:
- Your signature
- Usually notarization
- No witnesses typically required
Some online platforms offer online notarization through services like BlueNotary, which lets you complete this step via video call without leaving home.
Step 6: Store Safely
Keep your original signed documents somewhere secure:
- Fireproof safe at home
- Safe deposit box
- With your attorney (if you have one review it)
Also maintain digital copies in secure cloud storage.
Tell your executor where to find your documents. No one can carry out your wishes if they can’t find your will.
Common Questions and Concerns
“Is an Online Will Actually Legal?”
Yes, if done correctly. Online wills are just as legally valid as wills created by attorneys—as long as they meet your state’s requirements for:
- Proper execution (signing)
- Witnesses (if required)
- Notarization (if required)
- Testamentary capacity (you’re of sound mind)
Most states accept online wills without issue. A few states have specific rules that might make DIY estate planning trickier, so research your state’s requirements.
“What About Security?”
Legitimate platforms take security seriously. They use:
- Bank-level encryption
- Secure servers
- Regular security audits
- Compliance with privacy laws
Look for platforms that:
- Display SSL certificates
- Have clear privacy policies
- Don’t sell your data
- Offer two-factor authentication
Never use a platform that seems sketchy or has poor security measures.
“Can I Really Do This Without a Lawyer?”
For straightforward situations, absolutely. Online platforms work well when:
- Your estate is relatively simple
- You want standard distributions (everything to spouse, then kids)
- You don’t have complicated family dynamics
- Your assets are under estate tax thresholds
- You’re not worried about disputes
Consider consulting a lawyer if:
- Your estate is worth millions
- You have a blended family
- You own a business
- You want to disinherit someone
- You need a special needs trust
- You anticipate family fighting over your estate
Many online platforms offer attorney review as an add-on. This gives you the best of both worlds—DIY pricing with professional oversight.
“What If I Make a Mistake?”
This is a real concern. Common mistakes include:
- Not properly executing the document (wrong witnesses, no notarization)
- Not funding a trust (creating the trust but not transferring assets into it)
- Outdated beneficiary designations (your will says one thing, your 401k says another)
- Vague language leading to disputes
Reduce mistakes by:
- Reading instructions carefully
- Following all execution requirements
- Having someone else review your documents
- Updating beneficiary designations on accounts
- Considering an attorney review
When Online Estate Planning Makes Sense
Online wills and trusts are great for:
Young families – You just need basic protection for your kids and modest assets
Simple estates – Everything goes to your spouse, or divided among your kids
Budget-conscious people – You can’t or don’t want to spend thousands on a lawyer
DIY-minded individuals – You’re comfortable handling legal matters yourself
People with straightforward wishes – No complicated family situations or special circumstances
Online estate planning might not be right if:
You have a complex estate – Multiple properties, business interests, significant assets
Family dynamics are complicated – Blended families, estranged relatives, anticipated disputes
You need tax planning – Estate worth over $13 million (2024 federal exemption)
You want ongoing advice – Prefer a relationship with an attorney who knows your situation
You’re just not comfortable – Peace of mind is worth paying more for professional help
Get Your Documents Notarized Online
Most states require wills to be notarized or witnessed. Instead of finding a notary public and scheduling an appointment, you can get documents notarized online.
BlueNotary offers remote online notarization:
- Connect with a licensed notary via video call
- Complete notarization in 10-15 minutes
- Available evenings and weekends
- Legal in most states
- Secure and convenient
This eliminates one of the last obstacles to completing your estate planning entirely from home.
Bottom Line
Online wills and trusts have made estate planning accessible to millions of people who previously avoided it due to cost or inconvenience. For straightforward situations, these platforms offer a reliable, affordable way to protect your family and assets.
The key is being honest about whether your situation is actually straightforward. If you’ve got a simple estate and standard wishes, online services will probably work great. If your situation is complicated—lots of money, blended family, business ownership, tax concerns—spending more for attorney guidance is worth it.
Most people fall somewhere in the middle. Online platforms with attorney review options give you affordable DIY convenience plus professional oversight. That’s often the sweet spot.
The worst estate plan is no estate plan. If the choice is between creating an online will or doing nothing, create the online will. You can always upgrade to attorney-drafted documents later. But having something in place protects your family right now.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are online wills and trusts?
Legal estate planning documents you create through digital platforms without visiting a lawyer. You answer questions online, and the software generates state-specific documents outlining how your assets will be distributed after your death.
How much do online wills and trusts cost?
Online wills cost $60-$200, while trusts range from $180-$400. This beats attorney fees of $300-$3,000+. Subscription services like Rocket Lawyer run about $40/month for unlimited documents.
Are online wills and trusts legally valid?
Yes, in most states if they meet requirements for execution, witnesses, and notarization. Reputable platforms design documents to comply with state laws. Many offer attorney review for added assurance.
What are the benefits of creating wills and trusts online?
Affordability (much cheaper than lawyers), convenience (24/7 access from home), no appointments needed, and easy updates. Most people finish an online will in 30-60 minutes.
What are the drawbacks of online estate planning?
They don’t handle complex situations well—blended families, large estates, business ownership, or special needs trusts. You also miss personalized attorney advice, and there are security concerns with putting personal data online.
How secure are online will and trust services?
Reputable platforms use encryption, secure servers, and follow privacy laws. Look for SSL certificates, clear privacy policies, and two-factor authentication. Still, research security measures before using any online service.
Which platforms are best for creating online wills and trusts?
LegalZoom (attorney review available), Nolo (great educational resources), Rocket Lawyer (subscription with unlimited docs), and Trust & Will (modern interface). Compare pricing and features before choosing.
Can I update my online will or trust later?
Yes, most services let you update easily. Some include unlimited free updates, others charge a small fee. Update whenever life changes—marriage, divorce, kids, new assets.
Do I need a lawyer to create an online will or trust?
Not for simple estates with straightforward wishes. Consider a lawyer if you have a large estate, own a business, have a blended family, need tax planning, or expect disputes. Many platforms offer attorney review as an add-on.
What happens if I make a mistake on my online will?
Common mistakes: improper execution, not funding trusts, outdated beneficiaries, vague language. Avoid by reading instructions carefully, following all requirements, and considering attorney review. Fix mistakes by creating an updated, properly executed document.
