How to Create a Legal Will or Trust Online Using Trust & Will

Estate planning — creating a will or a trust — is something most people know they should do but keep putting off. Trust & Will is an online service that makes this process much more accessible. You can complete a legally valid will or living trust from home, on your own schedule, without scheduling an appointment at a law office.

Trust & Will guides you through a series of plain-English questions about your wishes. Who should inherit your belongings? Who should make decisions for you if you cannot? Who should care for your children or pets? The service builds the legal document based on your answers and creates documents that meet the requirements for your specific state.

A basic will through Trust & Will covers who gets your belongings, names an executor (the person who carries out your wishes), names guardians for any minor children, and includes a healthcare directive so your medical wishes are known. A living trust goes further. It allows your estate to avoid the court process called probate, which can be slow and expensive.

The cost is usually between $69 and $199 depending on whether you choose a will or a trust package. This is a lot less than working with an attorney in person, though Trust & Will does recommend consulting an attorney if your situation is complicated — for example, if you own a business, have a blended family, or have assets in multiple states.

Once your documents are complete, Trust & Will provides instructions for signing and witnessing them. This step is critical: a will that is not properly signed in front of witnesses is not legally valid. Trust & Will walks you through exactly what your state requires. Many states also recommend notarizing your will, and some require it for certain documents. Trust & Will is available at trustandwill.com.