A living trust can save your family months of probate court and thousands in legal fees, but creating one doesn't require hiring an expensive attorney. The right combination of online tools, educational resources, and professional guidance can help you establish a living trust that protects your assets and simplifies inheritance for your loved ones.
Whether you're just learning about living trusts or ready to create one, this guide covers the essential resources you'll need. From DIY platforms to professional services, we'll walk through the tools that make living trust creation accessible and affordable.
Online Trust Creation Tools
Will & Trust
Best for: Comprehensive online living trust creation with professional guidance
Will & Trust offers a complete platform for creating living trusts without the traditional attorney fees. The service guides you through each step of trust creation, from choosing the right trust type to funding your assets properly.
Key features:
* Step-by-step guidance: Clear instructions for every part of the trust creation process
* State-specific forms: Documents that comply with your state's trust laws
* Asset funding assistance: Help transferring property titles into your trust
* Ongoing support: Access to customer service throughout the process
When to use: You want professional-quality documents but prefer the convenience and cost savings of an online platform.
LegalZoom
Best for: Basic living trust creation with optional attorney review
LegalZoom provides a straightforward approach to living trust creation through an online questionnaire. The platform offers different service levels, including options for attorney consultation.
Key features:
* Questionnaire-based creation: Answer questions to generate your trust documents
* Multiple service tiers: Choose basic document creation or add attorney review
* Business trust options: Additional services for business owners
* Document storage: Secure online access to your completed documents
When to use: You have a relatively simple estate and want basic trust documents with optional professional oversight.
Nolo
Best for: Self-directed trust creation with extensive educational resources
Nolo combines DIY legal software with comprehensive educational materials. Their living trust software includes detailed explanations of each decision point in the trust creation process.
Key features:
* Educational focus: Extensive explanations of trust concepts and decisions
* Software-based creation: Download and use their trust creation software
* Book integration: Coordinate with Nolo's estate planning books
* State law information: Detailed coverage of state-specific requirements
When to use: You prefer to understand every aspect of your trust before creating it and don't mind a more hands-on approach.
Educational Resources
Books and Guides
Estate Planning For Dummies by N. Brian Caverly
This comprehensive guide breaks down complex estate planning concepts into understandable language. The book covers living trusts alongside other estate planning tools, helping you understand how trusts fit into your overall plan.
Key topics:
* Living trust basics and benefits
* Comparison with wills and other estate planning tools
* Tax implications and strategies
* Special situations like blended families
Plan Your Estate by Denis Clifford (Nolo)
A detailed guide that covers all aspects of estate planning, with substantial coverage of living trusts. The book includes worksheets and checklists to help you organize your planning process.
Key features:
* Practical worksheets: Tools for inventorying assets and planning distributions
* State law summaries: Overview of how different states handle trusts
* Real-world examples: Case studies showing trust strategies in action
* Regular updates: New editions reflect changing laws
Online Learning Platforms
Coursera estate planning courses
Several universities offer estate planning courses through Coursera, providing academic-level instruction on trust law and planning strategies.
EdX Legal Studies Programs
Free and paid courses covering estate planning fundamentals, including detailed modules on trust creation and administration.
Professional Services
Attorney Consultation Services
Avvo
Best for: Finding qualified estate planning attorneys in your area
Avvo provides attorney ratings, reviews, and contact information, making it easier to find estate planning professionals with living trust experience.
Key features:
* Attorney ratings: Peer and client reviews of local attorneys
* Practice area filtering: Focus specifically on estate planning lawyers
* Free consultation offers: Many attorneys offer initial consultations
* Cost information: Estimated fee ranges for different services
When to use: You want professional legal advice but need help finding the right attorney.
Comparison of Trust Creation Methods
| Method | Cost Range | Time to Complete | Professional Review | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online Platforms | $200-$800 | 1-3 hours | Optional | Simple estates, cost-conscious individuals |
| Attorney Creation | $1,500-$5,000 | 2-4 weeks | Included | Complex estates, high net worth, business owners |
| DIY Software | $50-$200 | 3-8 hours | None | Detail-oriented individuals, simple situations |
Each approach offers different benefits depending on your situation, budget, and comfort level with legal documents.
Document Management Tools
Digital Storage Solutions
Google Drive or Dropbox
Secure cloud storage for your trust documents ensures they're accessible when needed but protected from loss or damage.
Best practices:
* Folder organization: Create dedicated folders for estate planning documents
* Access sharing: Grant trusted family members or executors access
* Regular backups: Maintain multiple copies in different locations
* Security settings: Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication
LastPass or 1Password
Password managers become crucial when you have multiple online accounts related to your estate planning and asset management.
Physical Document Security
Home safes
A fireproof, waterproof safe protects original trust documents and other important papers.
Safe deposit boxes
Bank safe deposit boxes offer maximum security but consider accessibility issues for trustees who may need immediate access.
Key Insight: Your trust documents are only effective if your trustees can access them when needed. Balance security with accessibility when choosing storage methods.
Asset Transfer Resources
Real Estate Transfer Tools
Title companies
Professional title companies can help transfer real estate into your living trust, ensuring proper documentation and avoiding common mistakes.
County recorder offices
Many counties offer online resources for understanding deed transfer requirements and fees.
Financial Account Transfers
Bank trust departments
Most major banks have trust departments that can help you retitle accounts and understand beneficiary designations.
Investment firm resources
Brokerage firms like Fidelity, Vanguard, and Charles Schwab offer detailed guidance on transferring investment accounts into trusts.
Ongoing Trust Management
Trust Administration Software
Trust & Will Administration Platform
For trustees managing ongoing trust administration, specialized software can help track distributions, maintain records, and ensure compliance with trust terms.
Tax Preparation Resources
TurboTax Trust & Estate
Software specifically designed for preparing trust tax returns, including guidance on trust-specific deductions and reporting requirements.
Professional tax preparers
CPAs with estate and trust experience can handle complex tax situations and ensure compliance with changing tax laws.
Common Questions About Living Trust Resources
How do I know if an online trust platform is legitimate?
Look for platforms that clearly identify the attorneys who review documents, provide customer service contact information, and offer money-back guarantees. Check reviews on independent sites and verify the company's Better Business Bureau rating. Legitimate platforms will also clearly explain their limitations and when you should consult an attorney instead.
Can I use multiple resources together?
Absolutely. Many people combine educational resources like books with online creation tools, or use DIY software with attorney consultation for complex issues. The key is ensuring consistency across all documents and avoiding conflicting advice.
What's the difference between free and paid trust resources?
Free resources typically provide general education but may lack state-specific guidance or personalized advice. Paid resources usually offer customized documents, customer support, and often some form of professional review. For actual trust creation, paid resources are generally necessary to ensure legal compliance.
How often should I update my living trust documents?
Review your trust every 3-5 years or after major life changes like marriage, divorce, births, deaths, or significant changes in assets. Some online platforms offer update services, while others require creating new documents. Factor ongoing maintenance into your choice of creation method.
What happens if I use the wrong resources for my situation?
Using inappropriate resources can result in invalid documents, incomplete asset transfers, or trusts that don't achieve your goals. Start with educational resources to understand your needs, then choose creation tools that match your situation's complexity. When in doubt, consult with an estate planning attorney.
Conclusion
The right combination of resources makes creating and maintaining a living trust both affordable and straightforward. Start with educational materials to understand your options, choose creation tools that match your situation's complexity, and don't hesitate to add professional guidance when needed.
Create your living trust at Will & Trust and protect your family's future with a comprehensive, legally sound trust document. Ready to get started? Visit Will & Trust to learn more.