Trust and Will stands out with its user friendly platform and impressive ratings when you are exploring options for estate planning. You have probably heard about how quick and affordable their plans are, but what makes them special? As the official estate planning provider for AARP members, Trust and Will claims to offer a seamless experience with customizable documents and competitive pricing. But how does it compare to other services, and are their promises too good to be true? Look at the fine print and see if it truly matches its reputation.
Key Takeaways
- Trust and Will has an average customer satisfaction rating of 4.32 out of 5 across major review platforms.
- The service offers clear, state compliant documents and a user friendly website.
- Trust and Will’s pricing is competitive, with one time fees starting at $199 for wills.
- Customers appreciate responsive customer support and express intent to return for updates.
- The platform provides educational resources to empower users, including webinars and articles.
- Approximately 88.7% of Trust and Will users would recommend the service to others.
Overview of Trust and Will
Established in 2017, Trust and Will is an innovative online estate planning service that offers simple, affordable solutions starting at just $39. This service could be perfect for those looking for an inexpensive option for creating legally sound wills and trusts without hiring a traditional attorney.
Trust and Will provides an online estate planning experience that is straightforward and efficient, with options to create a trust based or will based plan in 20 minutes or less. The focus on simplicity and speed guarantees you can have a thorough plan without the hassle of traditional methods. Approximately 72.8% of users report completing their wills within 20 minutes using the platform.
Their Trust plan is particularly appealing if you are interested in an affordable estate solution that does not compromise quality or security.
Trust and Will is committed to exceptional customer service, unlimited support, and a 30 day satisfaction guarantee. This means you can get all your assistance while managing your estate planning process.
The company is also recognized as AARP members’ official estate planning provider, confirming credibility and reliability in the broader financial planning and management space.
With Trust and Will’s compliance with strict data protection standards like SOC 2 and HIPAA, you can trust that your personal information is safe and secure. Over 18,500 wills have been successfully created through Trust and Will since its launch.
Types of Legal Documents Offered
Trust and Will provides a comprehensive set of estate planning documents designed to cover the most important legal and financial decisions individuals and families need to make. Understanding which documents are included in each plan is essential before choosing the right option for your circumstances.
Will Based Plan Documents
The will based plan includes four core legal documents suited for individuals with simpler estates, typically under $160,000 in assets or involving one property. These documents include a last will and testament, a healthcare directive, a financial power of attorney, and a HIPAA authorization form. Together, they establish your final wishes, designate who will manage your affairs if you become incapacitated, and ensure family members and heirs can access necessary information.
Trust Based Plan Documents
The trust based plan includes seven essential estate planning documents, anchored by a revocable living trust. This plan is designed for individuals with assets exceeding $160,000 or those who want to bypass the probate process entirely. Additional documents include a pour over will, healthcare and financial power of attorney, a HIPAA authorization, and a certificate of trust. The trustee you designate gains authority to manage and distribute assets to beneficiaries according to your specific instructions without requiring court involvement.
Additional Legal Documents
Trust and Will also offers standalone documents for users who need specific forms without purchasing a full plan. These include guardian nomination forms for parents designating care for children and kids in the event of an unexpected death, beneficiary designation guides, and amendment documents for updating existing plans as life circumstances change. The platform also provides guidance on how to handle real estate, investments, and accounts within your plan.
Estate Planning Options
Regarding estate planning options, Trust and Will provides two main choices tailored to your needs: trust based and will based plans.
The trust based plan is perfect if you have assets exceeding $160,000. It includes seven essential estate planning documents, such as a revocable living trust, allowing you to bypass probate court. This gives you control over how your assets are distributed with specific instructions to your loved ones.
In contrast, the will based plan is suitable if your estate is simpler, typically under $160,000, and involves one property. It includes four key documents to document and honor your final wishes.
Both options are easy to use. You can complete your estate plan online in 20 minutes or less. Once you have done so, your documents can be downloaded instantly or shipped for signing.
Trust and Will also offers a Get Started quiz, helping you determine the best plan for your needs. Plus, with attorney support, you can feel confident that your estate planning documents are legally sound.
Whether you choose a trust or a will, Trust and Will makes estate planning straightforward and accessible for individuals of all backgrounds, including seniors, first time will creators, and families planning for future generations. About 39.4% of Trust and Will users are first time will creators seeking affordable options.
User Experience and Interface
Choosing the right estate planning option is just the beginning of your journey with Trust and Will. The customer experience that follows is equally important and highly rated by users. With a satisfaction rating of 4.6 out of 5, Trust and Will excels in making estate planning accessible and straightforward.
Website Navigation and Accessibility
You will find their website incredibly user friendly, allowing even seniors and first time users to complete necessary documents easily. The guided question format walks you through each section step by step, eliminating the confusion that often accompanies legal document creation. For people who have never created a will or trust before, the platform provides enough context at each stage to make informed decisions without needing a law degree.
Document Clarity and State Compliance
Trust and Will’s documents are designed to be clear and simple, complying with state guidelines including requirements for states like California, Tennessee, and South Carolina. Each document is reviewed for accuracy and validity under the laws of your specific state. The platform handles the complexity of varying state requirements behind the scenes, so you can focus on the substance of your plan rather than the legal technicalities.
Getting Started Quiz and Customization
The Get Started quiz helps you identify the right plan based on your assets, family situation, and goals. Customizable templates let you tailor clauses, beneficiary designations, and trustee appointments to reflect your unique circumstances. This level of personalization ensures your documents reflect your actual intentions rather than generic defaults.
Customer Support and Service
Support Channels and Response Times
Another highlight is the company’s responsive customer support, which quickly answers urgent inquiries. You can access lawyer advice in select states, ensuring your questions are thoroughly addressed. Support is available through email and live chat, and the majority of users report receiving timely responses to their questions.
Many customers appreciate the overall experience so much that they plan to return for future updates, demonstrating strong satisfaction with the service. Trust and Will’s user friendly interface, responsive support, and clear documentation make your estate planning journey smooth and efficient, giving you peace of mind every step of the way.
Attorney Support Access
For users who want additional guidance beyond the platform’s self service tools, Trust and Will offers attorney support for an additional fee in 38 states and Washington D.C. This gives you access to licensed attorneys who can review your documents, answer specific legal questions, and provide consultation on complex estate planning situations. This service is particularly valuable for individuals managing real estate holdings, business interests, estate taxes, or retirement accounts that require more nuanced planning.
Educational Resources
Trust and Will invests in empowering users through educational content. The platform offers webinars, articles, and guides covering a wide range of estate planning topics, from the basics of wills and trusts to more advanced subjects like beneficiary designations, the probate process, inheritance laws, and the role of a fiduciary. These resources support users at every stage of the planning journey and help families make informed decisions with confidence.
Security and Privacy Measures
When sharing sensitive personal and financial information online, security is a top priority. Trust and Will addresses this concern through compliance with SOC 2 and HIPAA data protection standards, which set strict requirements for how personal data is stored, accessed, and protected.
Data Encryption and Protection Standards
The platform uses industry standard encryption to protect data in transit and at rest. SOC 2 compliance means the company has undergone independent auditing of its security controls, giving users confidence that their information is handled responsibly. HIPAA compliance is particularly relevant for healthcare directive documents, which may contain sensitive medical information.
What SOC 2 and HIPAA Compliance Means for You
SOC 2 certification requires Trust and Will to demonstrate ongoing compliance with standards covering security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. For users, this means the platform is not simply self declaring its security practices but has had them verified by an independent auditing firm. Combined with HIPAA compliance, this positions Trust and Will as one of the more rigorously secured online estate planning platforms available.
Account Security Features
Users can create a secure account to store, access, and update their estate planning documents at any time. Accounts are protected by standard authentication measures, and documents can be downloaded or stored within the platform for future reference. The ability to return and make amendments as life circumstances change adds long term value to the platform beyond the initial document creation.
Comparing Competitors
Exploring estate planning options can feel intimidating, but comparing competitors reveals distinct differences in offerings and pricing.
Trust and Will stands out with its simple user experience, particularly appealing to seniors and first time users. With services offered at a one time fee of $199 for individuals and $299 for couples, they provide a more straightforward approach than Rocket Lawyer’s $39.99 per month subscription model.
If you are considering buying a will online, comparing LegalZoom’s offerings with other providers’ offerings is important. LegalZoom offers basic wills for $99 but charges $399 for trusts, which could greatly affect your decision.
In contrast, GoodTrust offers a comprehensive estate plan bundle for $149 and a $10 discount for NerdWallet users. Meanwhile, Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker ranges from $109 to $219 but has not scored as high in user satisfaction.
Using these platforms often involves answering simple questions to customize your documents. Trust and Will excels in this area, making the process less intimidating.
Side by Side Comparison
Here is a quick comparison of the major companies in this space:
- Trust and Will: Simple interface, unlimited updates with membership, attorney support available.
- LegalZoom: More costly for trusts, basic wills are available, broader legal services.
- Rocket Lawyer: Subscription model, free trial available, wide document library.
- GoodTrust: Competitive bundle pricing, digital legacy features included.
- Nolo Quicken WillMaker: Software based, one time purchase, lower user satisfaction scores.
Where Trust and Will Has an Edge
Trust and Will’s combination of transparent pricing, ease of use, AARP endorsement, and attorney support access gives it a meaningful advantage over most competitors for users who prioritize simplicity and reliability. For individuals who want to work directly with attorneys throughout the entire process, a traditional law firm may still offer advantages in terms of personalized guidance, though at a significantly higher cost.
Pricing Considerations
Understanding the pricing considerations for Trust and Will is vital for making an informed decision. Trust and Will offers competitive pricing, starting with a one time fee of $199 for individual wills and $299 for couples. Trust plans are priced at $499 for individuals and $599 for couples.
Annual Membership and Update Fees
You might consider their annual membership fee to keep your documents legally valid and current. For $19 a year for wills and $39 for trusts, you get unlimited updates, a cost effective way to guarantee your estate plan remains up to date with any life changes or legal requirements. This is particularly valuable when major events occur, such as the birth of a child, the acquisition of new property, a marriage or divorce, or changes in your retirement accounts or investments.
Attorney Support and Additional Costs
If you need additional attorney support, Trust and Will provides it for $300 per year in 38 states and Washington D.C. This can offer peace of mind, knowing you have available legal expertise for consultation on complex matters involving estate taxes, heirs, or disputes among family members and parties with competing interests.
Trust and Will’s pricing is remarkably lower than that of competitors like LegalZoom, which charges $399 for individual basic estate plans. However, be aware of potential extra costs, such as the $19 charge for estate plan updates. Clarifying these pricing structures upfront is imperative to avoid unexpected expenses and ensure your estate planning needs are fully met.
Is Trust and Will Worth the Cost?
For most individuals seeking a straightforward, legally valid will or trust without the expense of a traditional attorney, Trust and Will offers strong value. The one time pricing model is more predictable than subscription services, and the optional annual membership keeps costs manageable long term. For complex estates involving significant real estate, business succession, or estate tax planning, supplementing the platform with professional advisor consultation is recommended.
Pros and Cons
Pros of Trust and Will
Trust and Will earns consistently positive reviews for its ease of use, speed, and affordability. The platform allows individuals and families to create legally binding estate planning documents in a fraction of the time and cost of working with traditional attorneys. Key advantages include the guided step by step process, state compliant documents, attorney access in most states, unlimited updates with an annual membership, and recognition from AARP as a trusted provider for seniors. The 30 day satisfaction guarantee also reduces the risk for first time users.
Cons of Trust and Will
The platform is not without limitations. Attorney support is not available in all states, which may leave users in certain regions without access to professional guidance. The platform is best suited for straightforward estates; individuals with highly complex financial situations, significant real estate holdings across multiple states, or complicated family circumstances may find the self guided format insufficient. Some users have also noted that the cost of trust based plans plus annual updates can add up over time, and the platform lacks the depth of legal review that a traditional estate planning attorney would provide.
Customer Testimonials and Feedback
What Satisfied Customers Say
Across review platforms, Trust and Will holds an average rating of 4.32 out of 5 stars. Customer testimonials frequently praise the platform’s clarity, the quality of the documents produced, and the responsiveness of the support team. Many users describe the experience as far less intimidating than they expected, particularly seniors and individuals who had previously avoided estate planning due to concerns about complexity or cost.
Users who chose the trust based plan often cite the peace of mind that comes from knowing their loved ones will not face the probate process as their primary motivation. Those who chose the will based plan frequently mention the speed of completion and the straightforward guidance as highlights of their experience.
Areas Where Users Express Concerns
Negative feedback tends to focus on a few recurring themes. Some users report confusion about what documents are and are not included in each plan before purchase. Others mention frustration when discovering that attorney support is not available in their state. A smaller number of users have raised concerns about document validity after the fact, though the platform’s state compliance process is designed to address this. Reading the full plan details before purchasing is the most effective way to avoid misaligned expectations.
Trust and Will’s commitment to customer satisfaction is reflected in how actively the company responds to feedback and continues to refine the platform based on user input.
Future Prospects
You will see Trust and Will’s commitment to expanding its services and enhancing user experience through innovative solutions.
They plan to expand attorney support to more states and improve digital security, ensuring you have access to extensive and secure estate planning.
With new features and competitive pricing, Trust and Will aims to attract a wider audience while maintaining its focus on social responsibility.
Growth and Expansion Plans
Trust and Will frequently looks toward the future, focusing on expanding its reach by enhancing service offerings and introducing more customizable estate planning options.
Trust and Will is not just about documents; it aims for growth by refining user experience and personalizing the estate planning journey. By planning to expand attorney support services to more states, Trust and Will enhances personalized guidance, ensuring you get the advice you need wherever you are.
Partnering with organizations like AARP increases visibility and accessibility, especially for seniors seeking estate planning solutions.
Their commitment to being a Certified B Corporation shows a dedication to social responsibility, aligning their growth with ethical business practices. Trust and Will also plans to leverage technology to streamline the document creation process as it grows, making it easier and faster for individuals and families to create thorough estate plans.
Here is how Trust and Will is focusing on prospects:
- Customizable Options: Tailoring estate plans to your unique needs.
- Attorney Support Expansion: Offering more states access to professional guidance.
- Enhanced User Experience: Streamlining processes with advanced technology.
Trust and Will is paving the way for a more accessible and personalized estate planning future.
Innovative Service Enhancements
With an eye on the future, Trust and Will aims to revolutionize estate planning through innovative service enhancements. They plan to introduce more customizable templates for living trusts and other estate planning needs, giving you greater flexibility and augmenting your online experience.
Imagine having templates that cater specifically to your unique circumstances, making planning your estate easier and more efficient.
Trust and Will is also exploring partnerships with financial institutions, which could lead to integrated solutions for better financial management. This means you can manage your finances and estate planning in one seamless platform.
Additionally, they are looking into advanced technology features like AI driven document suggestions. These features will analyze your profile and suggest documents tailored to your needs, streamlining the planning process.
Support is available at every step, and Trust and Will is committed to expanding attorney support services into more states. This guarantees you get personalized guidance when you need it.
They are also focused on improving educational resources with webinars and articles, empowering you with the knowledge to make informed decisions about your estate planning.
These innovative service enhancements could transform how you manage your estate online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Trust and Will a Reputable Company?
You may wonder if it is reputable. Consider its company history, diverse service offerings, and positive customer experiences. User testimonials highlight satisfaction and trust, reflecting its commitment to quality. Collectively, these factors affirm the company’s credibility and reliability.
What Is the Best Website for Trust and Will Services?
You are looking for the best website for trust services and will creation. Choose one that offers efficient online estate planning, user friendly legal documents, and solid support. Prioritize platforms that simplify the process and fit your financial needs.
Is TrustandWill.com Legit?
You may wonder if trustandwill.com is legit. Yes, it is. Trust benefits are clear, with secure legal implications. Customer experiences are mostly positive, aiding in financial planning. You will find it reliable for creating essential estate planning documents.
What Are the Pros and Cons of a Trust vs a Will?
You will find that trusts avoid probate, smoothing asset distribution, but are costlier upfront. Wills are simpler and quicker to create, yet they require probate, potentially delaying distribution. Both are essential for estate planning, and your choice should reflect your assets, family situation, and goals.
Conclusion
You have seen how Trust and Will stands out with its user friendly and efficient estate planning services. With a high satisfaction rating, you can confidently choose this service for quick and affordable solutions tailored to your needs. Their recognition by AARP and strong customer support make them an appealing choice, especially for seniors and first time users. Considering their competitive pricing and customizable options, Trust and Will is a compelling option for anyone looking to simplify their estate planning journey for themselves, their spouse, their children, and other loved ones.
