What Trust & Will does and who uses it

Trust & Will is an online service that helps you create estate planning documents without hiring a lawyer in person. You answer questions about your situation, the platform generates documents tailored to your state, and you receive files you can sign and store. It is not a law firm, does not provide legal information, and does not file documents with any court or government agency — you handle that part yourself or work with a separate attorney if you choose.

People typically use Trust & Will when they want to create a will, living trust, power of attorney, or healthcare directive without the cost of a traditional estate planning attorney. The service is designed for straightforward situations: you know who you want to leave your assets to, you do not have a complex business or significant tax concerns, and you want documents ready to sign without scheduling appointments or waiting weeks.

The platform operates in all 50 states and generates documents that comply with your state's specific legal requirements. You pay a flat fee upfront, receive your documents, and own them completely — there is no ongoing subscription or requirement to use Trust & Will again.

Key Takeaways

  • Trust & Will creates customized estate documents based on your answers to an online questionnaire, but does not provide legal information or represent you in court.
  • You receive documents you must sign and notarize yourself; Trust & Will does not file anything with courts or government agencies on your behalf.
  • The service costs less than a traditional estate planning attorney but offers no ongoing support, revisions, or legal consultation if your situation changes.
  • Documents are state-specific and generated to comply with your state's laws, but you are responsible for understanding whether the documents fit your actual needs.
  • Trust & Will is best suited for people with straightforward estates, no minor children requiring guardianship decisions, and no complex tax or business concerns.

What documents Trust & Will creates

Trust & Will generates several core estate planning documents depending on which package you choose. A will names an executor (the person who carries out your wishes), specifies who inherits your assets, and can name a guardian for minor children. A revocable living trust holds your assets during your lifetime and transfers them to beneficiaries after your death without going through probate — the court process that can take months or years.

The platform also creates a power of attorney, which names someone to manage your financial and legal matters if you become unable to do so. A healthcare power of attorney (also called a healthcare proxy or medical power of attorney, depending on your state) names someone to make medical decisions on your behalf. Many packages include a living will or advance directive, which documents your wishes about life-sustaining medical treatment.

Each document is generated based on your answers to questions about your assets, family structure, and preferences. The platform does not interview you or ask follow-up questions — you move through the questionnaire at your own pace and receive documents based on what you enter.

How the process works from start to finish

You begin by choosing a package: basic will, living trust, or a bundle that includes multiple documents. You then answer questions about your personal information, family members, assets, debts, and who you want to handle your estate. The questionnaire typically takes 20 to 30 minutes, though it can take longer if you have multiple properties or complex family situations.

Once you submit your answers, Trust & Will generates your documents in PDF format. You read them, review them, and sign them according to your state's requirements — most states require a will to be signed in front of two witnesses and a notary public. A living trust typically requires only your signature and notarization, though some states have additional rules. Trust & Will provides instructions for signing but does not arrange witnesses or notaries for you.

After signing, you store the original documents in a safe place — a safe deposit box, home safe, or with your executor. You can update your documents by purchasing a new package if your situation changes, though Trust & Will does not track changes or remind you when updates might be needed.

Cost and what you pay for

Trust & Will charges a flat fee that varies by package and state. A basic will typically costs between $70 and $150. A living trust package usually ranges from $200 to $400. Bundles that include multiple documents cost more but less per document than buying them separately. Prices are displayed before you begin the questionnaire, so you know the total cost upfront.

The fee covers document generation, state-specific customization, and access to instructions for signing and storing your documents. It does not cover legal information, revisions after you receive the documents, ongoing support, or filing with any court or agency. If you need changes after you receive your documents, you must purchase a new package.

Some people also pay for notarization separately — Trust & Will does not provide notaries, though it may offer referrals or information about finding one in your area. Witness fees, if any, are also your responsibility.

Comparing Trust & Will to a traditional estate planning attorney

A traditional estate planning attorney meets with you, asks detailed questions about your situation, advises you on which documents you need, drafts documents, and revises them based on your feedback. The attorney can identify issues you might not have considered and explain the legal consequences of your choices. This process typically costs $1,000 to $3,000 or more, depending on complexity and your location.

Trust & Will costs significantly less because it removes the attorney's time from the equation. You answer a questionnaire, receive documents, and handle signing and storage yourself. There is no back-and-forth, no consultation, and no legal information. This works well if your situation is straightforward and you are confident in your choices. It works poorly if you are unsure whether a will or trust is right for you, if you have minor children and need to think through guardianship carefully, or if you own a business or have significant assets.

Some people use Trust & Will to create initial documents and then consult an attorney to review them before signing. Others use it as a starting point and upgrade to an attorney later if their situation becomes more complex. There is no rule against using both approaches.

Situations where Trust & Will may not be the right fit

Trust & Will works best for people with straightforward estates: a modest amount of assets, a clear list of beneficiaries, no minor children, and no ongoing business or rental property concerns. If your situation includes any of the following, an attorney consultation may be more appropriate than an online service.

You have minor children and need to think carefully about guardianship, custody, and how to structure their inheritance so money is not handed to them all at once when they turn 18. You own a business, rental property, or other assets with complex tax implications. You have a large estate and are concerned about estate taxes. You have a blended family with children from previous relationships and want to protect each child's inheritance. You have a family member with special needs who receives government benefits and you want to leave them money without disqualifying them. You are in a second marriage and want to may support your children from your first marriage inherit from you. You live in a state with unusual probate rules or community property laws that affect how your estate is divided.

In any of these situations, the cost of an attorney consultation is usually worth it to make sure your documents actually accomplish what you intend.

How Trust & Will documents are treated by courts and institutions

Documents created by Trust & Will are legally valid in your state if they comply with state law — and because the platform generates state-specific documents, they should. Banks, investment firms, and probate courts will recognize a will or trust created by Trust & Will the same way they recognize one drafted by an attorney, as long as it is signed and notarized correctly.

However, institutions sometimes ask questions if a document looks unfamiliar or if they suspect it was not drafted by a lawyer. Having a document reviewed by a local attorney before you file it with a court can prevent delays. Some people pay an attorney $200 to $400 to review a Trust & Will document and sign off on it, which costs less than having the attorney draft it from scratch but provides peace of mind.

If your will or trust ends up in probate court, a judge will enforce it according to its terms, regardless of who drafted it. The document itself does not need to have been created by a lawyer to be valid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my documents after I receive them from Trust & Will?

You can make handwritten changes to a will in some states, though this is risky and can create confusion or legal challenges. For a living trust or power of attorney, changes are more complicated. The safest approach is to purchase a new package from Trust & Will if your situation changes significantly, or to consult an attorney about amending your documents.

Does Trust & Will file my documents with the court?

No. Trust & Will generates documents and sends them to you. You are responsible for signing them, having them notarized, and storing them. For a will, you typically do not file it with the court until after you die — your executor files it when they open probate. For a living trust, you do not file it with the court at all; you keep it private and use it to transfer assets after your death.

What happens if I die before I sign my documents?

Unsigned documents have no legal effect. Your estate will be handled according to your state's intestacy laws, which means the court decides who inherits your assets and who manages your estate. This is why signing and notarizing your documents promptly is important.

Can Trust & Will help me if I have a will from another state?

Trust & Will generates documents for your current state of residence. If you move to a new state, you may want new documents that comply with that state's laws. Some wills are valid across states, but trusts and powers of attorney often need to be updated for your new state.

Is Trust & Will the same as a do-it-yourself will kit from an office supply store?

Trust & Will is more sophisticated than a printed kit because it customizes documents based on your answers and ensures they comply with your specific state's laws. A printed kit is generic and may not account for your state's requirements. Both are cheaper than an attorney but offer no legal information or support if something goes wrong.