5 of the Best Will and Estate Planning Services in 2024
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Estate planning is crucial in ensuring that your assets are distributed according to your wishes and that your loved ones are protected after you’re gone. However, many people often put off this essential task because they believe it’s too time-consuming, expensive, or complicated.
Fortunately, online will and estate planning services have emerged as a convenient and affordable solution, making it easier than ever to create a legally binding estate plan from the comfort of your home.
These digital platforms offer a range of options to suit various needs and budgets, from basic will-writing tools to comprehensive estate planning packages. Using an online service, you can create a tailored estate plan that reflects your unique circumstances and goals without costly attorney fees or lengthy in-person meetings.
Whether you’re a young adult just starting out or a senior looking to update your existing plan, online will and estate planning services provide a straightforward and accessible way to secure your legacy and give you peace of mind.
Let’s explore some of the top online will and estate planning services available, helping you find the right solution for your needs.
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Top Rated Will and Estate Planning Services
Brand
Description
Rating
Price
Links
Basic: $99
Premium: $249
Trust: $499
Will: $119
All Access: $219
Plus: $149
Starter: $109
$149
Monthly: $19.99
Annually: $239.88
Choosing the Right Will and Estate Planning Service
When selecting a will and estate planning service, it’s essential to consider your unique circumstances and objectives. Different services offer varying levels of complexity and support, so finding one that aligns with your specific needs is crucial.
Start by assessing your current situation and long-term goals. Are you a young adult looking to create an essential will, or a senior with more complex estate planning needs? Understanding your requirements will help you narrow your options and find a service that best fits your profile.
As you evaluate different estate planning and will writing services, consider factors such as ease of use, comprehensiveness of offerings, customer support, and cost. Look for a platform with a user-friendly interface that guides you through the process step-by-step, ensuring you don’t miss any critical estate plan components.
Additionally, consider the range of documents and features offered by each service. Some may focus solely on basic wills, while others provide a more comprehensive suite of tools, including trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives.
Another important aspect to consider is the level of customer support provided. Estate planning can be complex, and having access to knowledgeable professionals can make a significant difference. Look for services that offer live support, educational resources, and even attorney consultations to help you make informed decisions and ensure your estate plan is executed correctly.
Finally, remember to review and update your estate plan regularly. Life circumstances can change quickly, and it’s essential to ensure that your plan keeps pace. Remember to revisit your will and other documents annually or after significant life events, such as marriages, divorces, or childbirth.
By staying proactive and working with a trusted will and estate planning service, you can enjoy greater peace of mind knowing that your wishes will be carried out, and your loved ones will be protected.
Our Best Pick Overall
LegalZoom - Last Will
Why we like LegalZoom - Last Will
LegalZoom’s Last Will service is an excellent choice for those seeking a simple, affordable way to create a legally valid will from their home. The user-friendly platform guides you through the process step-by-step, ensuring you get all the crucial details. LegalZoom’s extensive experience in online legal services provides peace of mind, knowing that your will is being created using industry best practices. The optional attorney review adds an extra layer of security, allowing you to have your document examined by a legal professional for accuracy and completeness. With its competitive pricing and satisfaction guarantee, LegalZoom’s Last Will service is a top choice for those looking to establish a basic estate plan without the hassle or expense of hiring an attorney.
Author’s Pick
Trust & Will
Why we like Trust & Will
Trust & Will is committed to providing a holistic estate planning experience. Their platform is designed to be intuitive and easy to navigate, making the process of creating a will or trust accessible to everyone, regardless of legal expertise. By offering state-specific documents, Trust & Will ensures that your estate plan complies with local laws and regulations, providing added peace of mind. The inclusion of additional documents, such as powers of attorney and healthcare directives, allows customers to create a comprehensive estate plan tailored to their unique needs. Trust & Will’s ongoing customer support and free document updates for one year demonstrate their dedication to helping customers maintain an up-to-date and effective estate plan. For those seeking a user-friendly, comprehensive, and personalized online estate planning solution, Trust & Will is an excellent choice.
Honorable Mentions
Nolo's Quicken WillMaker
Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker is a robust software package that allows users to create customized estate planning documents, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. The software provides a step-by-step guide through the document creation, with built-in legal and practical help to ensure users make informed decisions. Quicken WillMaker also includes free online document storage and the ability to make unlimited updates to your documents.
Our take on Nolo's Quicken WillMaker
Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker is a powerful tool for those who want greater control and flexibility in creating their estate plan. The software’s comprehensive document offerings and step-by-step guidance make it ideal for individuals with more complex estate planning needs. Quicken WillMaker’s built-in legal and practical help provides users with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions about their estate plan, while the free online document storage ensures that your documents are securely accessible from anywhere. The ability to make unlimited updates to your documents is a standout feature, allowing users to easily adapt their estate plan as their life circumstances change. For those seeking a robust, customizable, and user-friendly estate planning solution, Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker is an excellent investment.
GoodTrust
GoodTrust specializes in digital estate planning, focusing on protecting and managing online assets, accounts, and digital legacies. Their platform allows users to securely store and organize digital assets, assign beneficiaries for online accounts, and create a digital will. GoodTrust also offers a unique “Digital Executor” service, which assists in carrying out your digital estate plan after you pass away.
Our take on GoodTrust
GoodTrust provides a much-needed solution for managing and protecting online assets and accounts in an increasingly digital world. Their focus on digital estate planning sets them apart from traditional estate planning services, making them an excellent choice for those with a significant online presence. GoodTrust’s secure digital asset storage and organization tools ensure that your valuable digital assets, such as photos, videos, and important documents, are protected and easily accessible to your designated beneficiaries. The ability to assign beneficiaries for online accounts helps ensure that your digital legacy is managed according to your wishes. GoodTrust’s innovative “Digital Executor” service provides added peace of mind, knowing that a trusted partner will assist in carrying out your digital estate plan. For those seeking a comprehensive solution for managing and protecting their digital assets and legacy, GoodTrust is an invaluable tool.
Rocket Lawyer
Rocket Lawyer offers an affordable, user-friendly online platform for creating a wide range of legal documents, including wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. Their step-by-step document creation process is designed to be accessible to users without legal expertise. Rocket Lawyer also provides a free 7-day trial, which includes document creation, attorney advice, and access to their comprehensive legal resource library.
Our take on Rocket Lawyer
Rocket Lawyer’s affordable pricing and user-friendly platform make estate planning accessible to many individuals. Their free 7-day trial allows users to explore the platform’s features and create essential estate planning documents without any upfront cost. Rocket Lawyer’s attorney advice service is a standout feature, allowing users to have their legal questions answered by a qualified professional. This can be particularly valuable for those with more complex estate planning needs or concerns. The platform’s comprehensive legal resource library is an excellent tool for users who want to educate themselves on various legal topics and make informed decisions about their estate plan. For those seeking an affordable, accessible, and user-friendly estate planning solution with the added benefit of professional legal advice, Rocket Lawyer is a top choice.
Estate Planning for Every Stage of Life
Estate planning is often associated with older adults or those with significant wealth, but the truth is that everyone can benefit from having an estate plan in place. Regardless of your age or financial situation, creating a comprehensive estate plan can provide peace of mind and ensure that your wishes are carried out.
Estate planning may seem a low priority for young adults just starting their careers. However, this is an ideal time to lay the foundation for your future by creating essential documents such as a will, power of attorney, and healthcare directives.
By establishing these documents early on, you can ensure that your assets will be distributed according to your wishes and that your loved ones can make important decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated.
As you enter the next stage of life and start a family, estate planning becomes even more crucial. If you have minor children, it’s essential to name a guardian who will care for them if both parents pass away unexpectedly. Without a designated guardian, the courts will determine who will raise your children, which may not align with your wishes.
Establishing a trust can help ensure that your children’s financial needs are met and that they receive their inheritance at an appropriate age.
It’s important to review and update your estate plan regularly throughout your life, especially after significant life events. Marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or the acquisition of new assets can all impact your estate plan. Keeping your documents current can ensure they reflect your current wishes and circumstances.
Retirement is another key time to review and update your estate plan. As you age, your healthcare needs and financial situation may change, making it necessary to revise your documents accordingly. This is also an ideal time to consider long-term care planning and to ensure that your healthcare directives accurately reflect your wishes regarding end-of-life care.
The consequences of needing an estate plan in place can be severe. Without a will, your assets will be distributed according to state law, which may not align with your wishes. This can lead to family disputes and costly legal battles. Moreover, without powers of attorney and healthcare directives, your loved ones may be unable to make important decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated, leading to additional stress and uncertainty during an already difficult time.
Estate planning is crucial to financial and personal well-being, regardless of age or life stage. By creating a comprehensive estate plan and updating it regularly, you can protect your assets, provide for your loved ones, and ensure that your wishes are fulfilled. Working with a trusted online estate planning service can help make the process more accessible and affordable, allowing you to achieve peace of mind and security for the future.
Keys to Effective Estate Planning
Creating an estate plan is a significant step towards protecting your assets and providing for your loved ones, but it’s not a task that should be undertaken alone. Effective estate planning involves open communication and collaboration with family members and professionals who can provide valuable guidance and expertise.
One of the most important aspects of estate planning is discussing your wishes with your loved ones. While it may be a difficult conversation, being transparent about your intentions can help prevent misunderstandings and conflicts. By involving your family members in the estate planning and will writing process, you can ensure that everyone is on the same page and that your wishes are clearly understood and respected.
In addition to communicating with your loved ones, collaborating with professionals can be invaluable in creating a comprehensive and effective estate plan. Financial advisors can help you assess your assets and develop a strategy for managing and distributing your wealth in a way that aligns with your goals and values.
Estate planning attorneys can provide expert guidance on legal matters, such as drafting wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, ensuring that your documents are legally sound and enforceable.
Another critical aspect of estate planning and will writing is securely storing your documents and sharing their location with trusted individuals. This may include a spouse, adult child, or close friend who can access your documents in case of an emergency. Many online estate planning services offer secure document storage solutions, allowing you to store and share your documents with designated individuals easily.
In today’s digital age, it’s also essential to consider the role of digital assets in your estate plan. From online bank accounts and social media profiles to cryptocurrency and intellectual property, digital assets can hold significant value and sentimental importance. Collaborating with a service specializing in digital estate planning, such as GoodTrust, can help ensure your digital assets are properly managed and passed on to your desired beneficiaries.
Effective estate planning requires a team approach involving open communication with loved ones and collaboration with experienced professionals. By working together and taking advantage of the tools and resources available, you can create a comprehensive estate plan that reflects your unique needs and wishes.
When selecting an online estate planning service, look for one that encourages communication and collaboration. Some services offer features such as shared document access, allowing you to easily collaborate with family members or professionals to create and refine your estate plan. Others provide educational resources and support to help you navigate the estate planning process and make informed decisions.
Ultimately, the key to successful estate planning lies in open and honest communication and a willingness to seek guidance and support when needed. By embracing these principles and working with trusted partners, you can create an estate plan that provides lasting peace of mind and security for you and your loved ones.
Frequently Asked Questions about Will and Estate Planning
What happens if I die without a will?
If you die without a will, your state’s intestacy laws will determine how your assets are distributed, which may not align with your wishes. This can lead to unintended consequences and potential conflicts among family members. Having a will ensures that your assets are distributed according to your preferences.
What is the difference between a will and a trust?
A will is a legal document that specifies how your assets will be distributed after your death. A trust is a legal arrangement in which a trustee manages assets on behalf of designated beneficiaries. Trusts can provide more control over asset distribution and may help avoid probate, but they are generally more complex and expensive to set up.
What is the role of an executor in estate planning?
An executor is a person named in a will to manage the estate and carry out the will’s instructions after the testator’s death. The executor’s responsibilities include gathering assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing assets to beneficiaries according to the will. Choosing a trustworthy and competent executor is crucial for ensuring that your wishes are carried out efficiently.
How often should I update my estate plan?
It’s generally recommended to review and update your estate plan every 3-5 years, or sooner if you experience significant life changes such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or a substantial change in your financial situation. Regularly updating your estate plan ensures that it accurately reflects your current wishes and circumstances.
What is the probate process?
The probate process is the legal procedure for validating a deceased person’s will, settling their debts, and distributing their assets to beneficiaries according to the will or state laws if no will exists.
How do estate planning services handle inheritance tax?
Estate planning services handle inheritance tax by organizing assets, setting up trusts, and making strategic gifts to minimize tax liabilities, ensuring beneficiaries receive the maximum inheritance while adhering to tax laws.