Best Living Trust Services of 2026
The best living trust services can produce a valid revocable living trust for a straightforward household at 60 to 90% below attorney rates. We compared three online services (Trust & Will, LegalZoom Living Trust, and Nolo Quicken WillMaker Plus) against a national attorney benchmark.
Trust & Will leads at $499 for an individual or $599 for a couple, with clear funding instructions. LegalZoom Living Trust costs ~$279 (verify current), but offers lighter funding guidance. Nolo Plus is the cheapest path at $139 and includes an RLT template. By comparison, attorney-drafted revocable trusts typically cost $1,500 to $5,000, or $5,000 to $10,000+ in California and HNW metros.
Before you choose, model your specific numbers with our living trust cost calculator.
A revocable living trust does NOT reduce estate tax. For that, an irrevocable trust (attorney-only) is required.
How we ranked these living trust services
Rankings weighted: trust document quality (30%), state coverage (20%), funding instructions and support (20%), attorney-review option (15%), and price transparency (15%). Attorney-drafted comparison included for reference.
#1 Trust & Will
Best for: Best online — clearest funding instructions
$499 individual / $599 couple for revocable living trust + pour-over will + POA + healthcare directive. Attorney review add-on $299.
Includes funding checklist (deed retitling, account beneficiary updates) with state-specific guidance. Membership $49/yr allows unlimited updates.
Strengths
- Clearest post-purchase funding instructions — the step most online trusts fail on
- Included pour-over will, POA, and healthcare directive
- Attorney-review add-on for hybrid coverage
- Membership allows unlimited amendments
Limitations
- Higher price than LegalZoom or Nolo
- Does not draft irrevocable trusts (ILIT, MAPT, dynasty)
- Not appropriate for California residents whose estate exceeds $184,500 gross probate threshold — attorney worth the added cost
Pricing: $499 individual / $599 couple trust package. Attorney review +$299. Membership $49/yr.
#2 LegalZoom Living Trust
Best for: Best budget online
~$279 for revocable living trust package (verify current pricing). Includes basic funding guidance.
LegalZoom's 20+ year track record in online legal is longest in the category. Attorney consultation included in Premium tier (~$299) if bundled with a will.
Strengths
- Lowest full-service online price for a revocable living trust
- 20+ year track record — longest in the category
- Bundling with LegalZoom Premium will unlocks attorney consultation
Limitations
- Funding guidance less thorough than Trust & Will
- UX feels older than Trust & Will
- Trust product pricing not confirmed during 2026-07 verification — check legalzoom.com directly
Pricing: ~$279 (verify current). Premium bundle with will unlocks attorney consultation.
#3 Nolo Quicken WillMaker Plus 2026
Best for: Cheapest path to a valid RLT template
$139 for the desktop software (Windows + Mac) which includes a revocable living trust template alongside will, POA, and healthcare directive. Nolo's 50+ year track record in legal publishing.
Works fully offline once installed. All Access tier $209 adds Everplans document storage.
Strengths
- Lowest price path to a valid revocable living trust ($139)
- Nolo's 50+ year legal-publisher brand
- Fully offline — data stays local
- One-time purchase, no membership
Limitations
- Software installation required (not a web app)
- Less hand-holding on funding compared to Trust & Will
- Interface dated versus Trust & Will
- Annual repurchase if you want latest law updates
Pricing: Plus $139 (RLT template); All Access $209 (adds storage).
#4 Attorney-drafted
Best for: Best for complex facts, high-net-worth, or irrevocable structures
$1,500-$5,000 typical for a revocable living trust; $5,000-$10,000+ in California and other high-cost/HNW metros. Includes trust funding (deed recording, account retitling) in the same appointment.
Required for irrevocable trusts (ILIT $2,500-$4,000, MAPT $3,000-$6,000, dynasty $5,000-$10,000+). Model with our living trust cost calculator for state-specific attorney rates.
Strengths
- Handles blended families, business interests, cross-state property correctly
- Required for irrevocable trusts (ILIT, MAPT, dynasty)
- Handles trust funding (deed recording, account retitling) in the same engagement
- Attorney-client privilege applies
Limitations
- 3-20x the cost of online
- California and NY metros hit $5,000-$10,000+ even for straightforward trusts
- Multiple appointments and turnaround time
Pricing: $1,500-$5,000 typical revocable living trust; $5,000-$10,000+ California/HNW. Irrevocable trusts $2,500-$10,000+.
Comparison: 4 living trust services at a glance
| Option | Service | RLT price | Pour-over will included | Funding guidance | Handles irrevocable | Attorney-drafted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FeaturedYour company here, pinned above every listing Get featured → | ||||||
| Trust & Will | $499 / $599 | Yes | Clearest online | No | Add-on +$299 | |
| LegalZoom Living Trust | ~$279 | Yes | Basic | No | Premium bundle | |
| Nolo WillMaker Plus | $139 | Yes | Basic | No | No | |
| Attorney | $1,500-$10,000+ | Yes | Included | Yes | Yes | |
| Affordable Living Trusts | Starting at $499 | Yes | Funding instructions and video guidance | Not published | Not stated | |
| The Trust Pros | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Attorney reviews all living trusts | |
| Blade Law Offices | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not stated | |
| Salvo Law | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Law firm; offers trust creation | |
| McKenzie Legal | Not published | Not published | Title transfer to trust described; fee not published | Not published | Yes, each living trust drafted by the attorney | |
| Living Trust Attorneys | $575 single; $675 joint | Yes | Trust transfer deed and PCOR included | Yes, quote by phone | Yes, California attorney | |
| Thrift Legal | Not published; hourly, flat-fee or contingency billing | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not stated | |
| For Living Trust | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Attorney-led firm; responsible attorney named | |
| Living Trust California | $400 single; $500 joint | Yes | Funding instructions; deed transfer $100 per property | Not published | Yes, attorney-reviewed; California residents only | |
| Generation Living Trusts | Not published | Yes, part of the Living Trust Portfolio | Yes, funding instructions and follow-up support | Not published | Not stated; says it is not a law firm, uses attorney network | |
| 299Trust | $299 individual / $399 joint | Will included; pour-over not described | Not published | No, revocable trusts only | No, says it is not a law firm | |
| Isha Singh Law | Not published; flat-fee pricing stated | Not published | Not published | Not published | Law firm with direct attorney access | |
| Laguna Legal | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | No, staff are not attorneys; works with attorneys | |
| Lawvex | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Law firm with dedicated estate planning attorneys | |
| Matlin Law Group | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published; 'complex trust' mentioned | Law firm; attorney meetings, drafting not stated | |
| Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes, P.C. | Not published | Not published | Not published | Yes: special needs and Medicaid trusts | Yes, law firm; MA offices | |
| White and Bright, LLP | Not published; call 760-747-3200 | Not published | Not published | Trusts and estates practice; details not published | Yes, law firm in Escondido, CA | |
| Ettinger Law Firm | Not published; fee proposal at free consultation | Not published | Not published | Special needs trusts and Medicaid asset protection | Yes, law firm with 12 New York offices | |
| Montgomery Law Firm, LLC | Not published; call (843) 815-8580 | Not published | Not published | Irrevocable trust FAQ listed; fees not published | Yes, attorney-led firm in Bluffton, SC | |
| Robert K. Lee, Attorney | Flat fee; amount not published on homepage | Not published | Not published | Not published | Yes, California attorney licensed 36 years | |
| Best Coast Estate Law, P.C. | $3,500 individual / $5,000 couple | Will included in trust package | Deed and transfer document included | Not published | Yes, California law firm | |
| ArchAngel Trust and Probate Services, APC | Not published; call (760) 946-2233 | Offered; inclusion not stated | Deeds recorded, accounts retitled | Special needs trusts; irrevocable not stated | Yes, Attorney Victoria P. Martin | |
| Mint Law Group LLP | Not published; call 863-216-7886 | Not published | Not published | Mentions complex tax-avoiding trusts; no detail | Yes, Lakeland, FL law firm | |
| Law Offices of Odelia Goldberg | Not published; call 954-832-0885 | Not published | Not published | Not published | Yes, Florida attorney-reviewed; Fort Lauderdale | |
| LawDepot | Not published | Pour-over will offered; requires a living trust first | Not published | Not published | No | |
| USAA | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | |
| Estate Doc Prep | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Yes, attorney-written trusts built from an online interview | |
| Thomas-Walters | $4,000 to $7,000 for trust-based plan | Not published | Not published | Not published | Yes, attorney-prepared, flat fee, free 15-minute call | |
| Affordable Living Trusts | $500 single, $750 two-person (fee schedule Apr 2024) | Yes, included | Explains funding; CA deed transfer $200 per parcel | No (basic living trusts only) | Not published; Southern California service area | |
| NAFS Benefits | $1,599 for single or married applicants | Not published | One free deed transfer included | Not published | Plan developed with an attorney; attorney costs included | |
| Ford + Bergner LLP | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Yes; board certified in estate planning (Texas) | |
| Gomez Law, APC | Not published; free consultation offered | Not published | Not published | Not published | Law firm in Los Angeles; lists living trust alternatives | |
| Peck Ritchey, LLC | Not published; free initial consultation | Not published | Not published | Not published | Law firm with offices in the Chicago area | |
Rates, fees and terms are as each company publishes them. Confirm current details before you apply. Listed here? Update your listing.
Our verdict: which should you choose?
Trust & Will is the best online living trust service for most households — clearest funding instructions, included pour-over will and supporting documents, attorney-review hybrid available. LegalZoom is the budget pick for straightforward facts.
Nolo Plus at $139 is the cheapest valid path if you're comfortable with less hand-holding. Attorney-drafted becomes worth it for California residents (probate on any estate over $184,500 is statutorily expensive), blended families, business interests, cross-state property, or any irrevocable trust (ILIT, MAPT, dynasty).
Below the federal $15M and state estate tax thresholds, a revocable trust is a probate-avoidance tool — not a tax tool.
Why funding is the make-or-break step
A revocable living trust that hasn't been funded — deed not recorded, accounts not retitled — provides zero probate protection at death. This is where most DIY trusts fail. The trust sits empty, assets remain in your name, and probate still applies at death. Trust & Will handles this best with clear post-purchase instructions and a funding checklist; LegalZoom and Nolo provide basic guidance but leave more up to you. Attorney-drafted trusts typically handle funding in the same engagement. Whichever path you choose, fund the trust immediately after drafting or the exercise is decorative.
Revocable trusts don't reduce estate tax
A revocable living trust does not reduce federal or state estate tax — assets remain in your taxable estate because you retained control. If your net worth is above the 2026 federal $15M exemption (OBBBA P.L. 119-21) or a state estate tax threshold (Oregon $1M, Massachusetts $2M, Washington $3M, etc.), a revocable trust alone doesn't help with taxes. You need irrevocable structures — ILIT for life insurance ($2,500-$4,000 attorney-drafted), dynasty trust for generational transfer ($5,000-$10,000+), or gifting trust to remove appreciating assets from the estate. Irrevocable trusts require attorney drafting; online tools cannot produce them. See our estate tax calculator for exposure analysis.
State-specific considerations
In community property states (Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin), a joint trust preserves the double basis step-up on both spouses' halves at the first death under IRC §1014(b)(6) — separate trusts lose that benefit. In California specifically, probate on any estate over $184,500 gross is statutorily expensive (4% of the first $100k and scaling down), making a living trust more valuable than in most other states — Trust & Will's California customers are its largest single state group for a reason. In Louisiana, unique civil-law requirements make attorney-drafted the practical default.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best online living trust service?
Trust & Will is the best online living trust service — clearest funding instructions (the step most DIY trusts fail on), included pour-over will and supporting documents ($499 individual / $599 couple), and an attorney-review add-on ($299) for hybrid coverage. LegalZoom Living Trust is ~$279 for a similar package but with lighter funding guidance. Nolo Quicken WillMaker Plus is $139 and includes a valid RLT template — the cheapest online path.
Can I set up a living trust online?
Yes for revocable living trusts with straightforward facts. Trust & Will ($499/$599), LegalZoom Living Trust (~$279), and Nolo Quicken WillMaker Plus ($139) all produce valid RLTs. Online is not appropriate for irrevocable trusts (ILIT, MAPT, dynasty), Medicaid planning under the 5-year lookback, blended families with complex distributions, business interests, or estates above state estate tax exemption thresholds. Attorney-drafted becomes worth it when the facts stop fitting a fill-in-the-blank template.
How much does an online living trust cost vs an attorney?
Online: $139 (Nolo Plus) to $599 (Trust & Will couple). Attorney-drafted revocable trust: $1,500-$5,000 typical, $5,000-$10,000+ in California and other high-cost/HNW metros. Trust funding (retitling deeds, updating account beneficiaries) adds $500-$2,000 attorney or $50-$150 per deed DIY. The gap is roughly 3-20x depending on state and complexity. For straightforward facts, online works well; for complex facts or California residents, the attorney premium is warranted.
Does a living trust from Trust & Will or LegalZoom work in every state?
Yes — Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and Nolo produce valid revocable living trusts in every U.S. state. State-specific considerations: community property states (AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI) benefit from a joint trust structure to preserve the IRC §1014(b)(6) double basis step-up; Louisiana's civil-law regime makes attorney-drafted practical for complex facts; California's statutorily expensive probate on estates over $184,500 gross makes a trust much more valuable than in most other states.
Does an online living trust reduce estate tax?
No — a revocable living trust (online or attorney-drafted) does not reduce estate tax. Assets remain in your taxable estate because you retained control. Only irrevocable trusts move assets out of the taxable estate: ILIT for life insurance, dynasty trust for generational transfer, gifting trusts for appreciating assets, or Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts for long-term-care planning. Irrevocable trusts require attorney drafting — online tools cannot produce them.
Free calculators to help you decide
Sources
We prioritize primary sources for rules, formulas, rates, limits, and definitions. See our calculator methodology and editorial policy.
- LegalZoom — Cost to Set Up a Living Trust (2026)
- IRC §1014(b)(6) — Double basis step-up in community property
- IRS — Estate Tax
- American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC)