Where there’s a will, there is a way. In this case, if you need a will, there’s an affordable way to get one. Trust & Will can help you take care of your estate planning in as little as 15 minutes. Ready to learn more? Here’s our full Trust & Will review.
Trust & Will
Pros
- Low cost
- Speed
- Convenience
- Simplicity
- Ongoing updates
Cons
- No personal touch
- No access to complicated situations
- No business succession planning
- No attorney-client privilege
Table of Contents
Most of us don’t like the idea of dwelling on our own deaths. However, the reality is that one of the most adult things you can do is figure out how to plan for your death, and make sure that your assets are likely to be distributed in a way that you approve.
If you don’t have a plan in place, the state takes a more active role in determining what happens to your minor children, your assets, and other important details. It can be a long process–and it might even result in a large portion of your estate’s value being destroyed.
One way to prepare some of your estate planning documents without turning to a lawyer is to use Trust & Will.
What is Trust & Will?
Trust & Will is a company that provides you with the resources to create customized legal documents related to your estate. The company says you can create a valid estate plan based on your state of residence in about 10 minutes.
Costs are fairly low–at least it’s much less expensive than sitting down with an attorney and having the documents prepared that way. Once you’re done, you should have legally binding documents that can be used to help you pass on your assets, as well as handle guardianship issues for your minor children.
Trust & Will Products
You can get access to three main types of estate planning documents with Trust & Will. Each plan comes with all the documents you need to create a plan. Both the trust and will options also include guardian information, so it’s rolled into the necessary documents.
Trust
Create your documents online and have them delivered to you
You can create a trust-based estate plan with Trust & Will, including the following documents that allow you to reduce the chance of probate while maintaining your preferences:
- Revocable Living Trust
- Schedule of Assets
- Pour Over Will
- HIPAA Authorization
- Living Will
All of these documents set forth your desires if you become incapacitated and need someone to make decisions on your behalf.
Will
Perhaps you’re not ready to set up a trust structure. Instead, you can use Trust & Will to create your will, which includes:
- Last Will and Testament
- HIPAA Authorization
- Living Will
These documents are designed to share your wishes and increase the chances that they are carried out.
Guardian
Finally, if you don’t have the time to sit down and put together an estate plan, you can at least nominate a guardian for your minor children. This is an important step, and Trust & Will makes it quick and easy to file the necessary paperwork to ensure that your children have someplace to go on the event of your untimely death.
Trust & Will Pricing
How much you pay for Trust & Will services depends on what you choose. The more detailed your plan, the more you’ll pay. However, it’s important to note that Trust & Will offers unlimited access to your documents, and you can change the information as needed. Here are the starting prices for the different products:
- Trust: $399 (add a plan for your spouse for $100 more)
- Will: $69 (add a plan for your spouse for $60 more)
- Guardian: $39 (add a plan for your spouse for $10 more)
You get unlimited free access for a year to make changes. After that, if you want unlimited access, you need to pay a subscription fee. The annual fee is $10 for Will access and $100 per year for Trust access.
Signing Up for Trust & Will
Getting an account with Trust & Will is simple. Once you select “Get Started,” you can decide how you want to create your account. Trust and Will is set up to use Facebook or Google credentials, or you can enter your email and choose a password.
Once you’ve established your account, you can start creating your plan, and it’ll be saved automatically. You can come back to work on the plan later, or make changes as needed, if circumstances are different down the road. Creating your plan allows you unlimited access for a year, and then you can choose to pay the small annual fee for ongoing access.
Trust & Will Security
Trust & Will uses best practices to secure the website so your information remains as safe as possible.
Trust & Will Customer Service
There are multiple ways to get in touch with Trust & Will if you have questions. In addition to a helpful FAQ on the website, there is also an online chat option. You can easily connect with representatives and get answers to your questions.
Additionally, there is an email you can use to reach the team. If you have concerns about cost, the FAQ on pricing includes a direct email to someone who can work with you on pricing.
In general, Trust & Will has good reviews on Trustpilot, with 90% of reviewers posting Excellent ratings. Additionally, the Better Business Bureau rating is A+ and the reviews on the BBB profile are mostly positive.
Pros and Cons
Take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of Trust & Will before making a decision.
Pros:
- Low cost: Using Trust & Will costs much less than getting a lawyer.
- Speed: It’s possible to complete your paperwork in as little as 10 to 15 minutes, which is must faster than using an attorney.
- Convenience: You can accomplish the paperwork right from the comfort of your home, and on your schedule.
- Simplicity: You choose from three basic options, and the standard paperwork you need is provided. No need to worry about a large menu of confusing services with varying prices.
- Ongoing updates: The option to add ongoing updates as needed is a definite plus, making it easy to update your documents as life changes occur.
Cons:
- No personal touch: While there are customer service options, you’re not going to get full-on legal counsel like you would with an attorney. You’ll just be guided through the process of customizing templates for your needs.
- No access to complicated situations: The paperwork involved relates to the simplest types of estate planning. If you have a complex situation or a high net worth, the offerings might be inadequate.
- No business succession planning: If you own a business and need to include succession in your estate plan, you might need to look elsewhere.
- No attorney-client privilege: While an effort to protect your information is made, the reality is that Trust & Will doesn’t establish an attorney-client relationship, and there is no privilege there.
Who is It For?
For the most part, Trust & Will is ideal for someone who doesn’t have any estate planning documents and needs a quick and easy way to get started. For many users, the Will option is probably the best place to start. It offers documents that can make your desires clear, as well as arrange for the care of your dependents.
The Trust option can also be a solid choice for someone looking for slightly more advanced estate planning and a desire to avoid probate.
However, it’s important to note that online legal services aren’t for everyone. For those who have complicated situations or who have the added issue of business succession planning, Trust & Will might not be the best choice.
In general, though, if you have a relatively simple situation, and you have 15 minutes available, this can be a great way to get your estate planning documents in order at a very reasonable cost.
Topics: financial planning • Reviews
Thanks for this review! I’ve stumbled across their website and was wondering about their offering. Much appreciated!