Most Americans do not have a will or trust. According to a 2023 Gallup survey, only 46% of U.S. adults have a will — meaning more than half of the country has no legal plan for what happens to their assets when they die. That is a problem your family should not have to deal with in the middle of grief.
Creating an online will and trust is now faster, more affordable, and more legally sound than most people realize. This guide walks you through exactly what each document does, how to create them online, and what to watch out for along the way.
What Is an Online Will and Trust?
An online will and trust refers to legally binding estate planning documents — a last will and testament, a living trust, or both — created through a digital platform rather than through a traditional attorney office visit.
A will is a legal document that states who receives your assets after you die. It names an executor (the person who carries out your wishes), designates guardians for minor children, and goes through a court process called probate before your heirs receive anything.
A living trust is a legal arrangement where you transfer ownership of your assets into a trust during your lifetime. You act as the trustee while you are alive, maintaining full control. When you die, a successor trustee distributes those assets directly to your beneficiaries — no probate required.
Online platforms let you complete both documents by answering guided questions and generating state-specific legal forms. The process that once required multiple attorney appointments can now be completed in an afternoon.
Online Will vs Online Trust: Key Differences
This is where most people get confused. A will and a trust are not the same document, and they do not do the same job. Here is a clear breakdown of the differences between them.
Comparing Online Will vs Online Trust
| Feature | Online Will | Online Living Trust |
|---|---|---|
| Probate required | Yes — must go through court | No — assets transfer directly |
| Takes effect | After death | Immediately upon creation |
| Names guardian for children | Yes | No (still need a will for this) |
| Privacy | Public record | Private document |
| Asset coverage | Assets in your name at death | Only assets transferred into the trust |
| Complexity to create | Simpler | Slightly more steps required |
| Cost online | Lower | Slightly higher |
The key takeaway: most people benefit from having both. A living trust handles the bulk of your assets without probate. A will — sometimes called a "pour-over will" — catches anything you forgot to transfer into the trust and still handles guardianship decisions for minor children.
If you are weighing your options, reviewing the differences between a living trust vs will in more detail can help you decide which documents you actually need.
Benefits of Creating a Will and Trust Online
The traditional route — hiring an estate attorney, scheduling multiple meetings, paying high fees — still works. But the online will and trust process has made estate planning accessible to people who previously put it off for years.
Here is what makes the online approach worth considering:
- Speed: Most platforms guide you through the process in one to two hours. You do not wait weeks for an attorney to draft documents.
- Cost: Online will and trust services are significantly more affordable than traditional attorney fees. You get state-specific documents without the hourly billing.
- Accessibility: You complete everything from home, on your schedule. An elderly person with mobility issues can finalize a will or trust without leaving their house.
- Plain-language guidance: Good platforms explain each question in plain English so you understand what you are agreeing to.
- Immediate updates: Life changes — marriages, divorces, new children, new assets. Online platforms let you update your documents without scheduling a new appointment.
Why It Matters: Estate planning is not just for wealthy families. If you own a home, have children, or hold any savings, a will and trust protects the people you care about from legal delays and court costs.
How to Create a Will and Trust Online
The process is more straightforward than most people expect. Here is how it works, step by step.
Choose a reputable platform: Select an online will and trust service that generates state-specific documents. Not all platforms cover every state equally. Confirm your state is fully supported before you begin.
Gather your information: Before you start, collect the following:
- Full legal names and contact information for beneficiaries
- Names of your executor (for your will) and successor trustee (for your trust)
- Guardian names if you have minor children
- A list of your major assets — real estate, bank accounts, investment accounts, life insurance
Answer the guided questions: The platform walks you through a series of questions about your family, assets, and wishes. This typically takes 30 to 90 minutes depending on the complexity of your situation.
Review your documents: Before finalizing, read every section carefully. Confirm that names are spelled correctly, beneficiary percentages add up to 100%, and your executor and trustee choices are accurate.
Sign and execute properly: This step is where many people make mistakes. A will requires your signature plus two witnesses who are not beneficiaries. Many states also recommend notarization. A living trust typically requires notarization. The platform should provide clear instructions for your specific situation.
Fund your trust: Creating a trust document is only half the job. You must actually transfer assets into the trust — this is called "funding." Real estate requires a new deed. Bank accounts require a beneficiary change or account retitling. An unfunded trust does not protect your assets from probate.
Store your documents safely: Keep originals in a fireproof safe or with a trusted attorney. Tell your executor and successor trustee where to find them.
What Should Be Included in Your Will and Trust?
A complete online will and trust covers more than just "who gets what." Here is what each document should address.
Your will should include: * Full identification of yourself (legal name, address, state) * A clear statement that this document revokes any prior wills * Named executor and an alternate executor * Specific bequests (who gets particular items or accounts) * Residuary clause (who gets everything not specifically named) * Guardian designation for minor children * Signature, witness signatures, and notarization where required
Your living trust should include: * Trust name and date of creation * Your name as the initial trustee * Named successor trustee and alternates * Named beneficiaries and distribution instructions * A schedule of assets (what is in the trust) * Instructions for what happens if a beneficiary predeceases you
Working with estate plan lawyers worth finding can help you review completed documents if your situation is complex — blended families, significant real estate holdings, or business ownership all benefit from a professional review even after using an online platform.
Is an Online Will and Trust Legally Valid?
The answer is yes — provided you follow the execution requirements for your state.
An online will and trust is not automatically valid just because a platform generates it. Legal validity depends on proper signing, witnessing, and notarization according to your state's specific laws. Every U.S. state has its own requirements, and a reputable online platform will tell you exactly what your state requires.
The documents themselves — the actual legal language — are drafted by attorneys and reviewed for state compliance. You are not writing legal language yourself. You are providing the facts, and the platform generates the documents based on those facts.
According to the Uniform Law Commission, most U.S. states have adopted or are in the process of adopting updated laws that recognize electronically executed estate planning documents. This trend is expanding access to valid online will and trust creation across the country.
The one scenario where online documents may fall short: highly complex estates. If you have significant international assets, a special needs beneficiary, or a complex business structure, consulting with trust fund lawyers alongside an online platform gives you the best of both approaches.
Common Questions About Online Will and Trust
How much does an online will and trust cost?
Online will and trust platforms are substantially more affordable than traditional attorney fees. Pricing varies by platform and document type. A standalone will typically costs less than a full living trust package. Many platforms offer bundled packages that include both a will and a trust along with supporting documents like a healthcare directive and power of attorney. Contact platforms directly for a personalized quote based on your specific situation.
Can I create an online will and trust without a lawyer?
Yes. Online will and trust platforms are designed for self-completion. The guided question format eliminates the need for legal knowledge. That said, if your estate involves a business, a special needs dependent, or significant complexity, having an attorney review your completed documents is a reasonable precaution. For most individuals with straightforward situations, an online platform is sufficient.
What happens if I do not fund my trust?
An unfunded trust is essentially an empty legal shell. If you create a living trust but never transfer your assets into it, those assets will still go through probate when you die. Funding your trust — retitling accounts, updating beneficiary designations, transferring real estate — is the step that makes the trust actually work.
Do I need both a will and a living trust?
Most estate planning professionals recommend having both. A living trust avoids probate for assets inside the trust. A will handles anything outside the trust and is the only document that can name a guardian for minor children. The combination gives you the most complete protection.
Can I update my online will and trust later?
Yes. Online will and trust platforms typically allow you to update your documents when your life circumstances change. Marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, the death of a beneficiary, or a significant change in assets are all reasons to revisit your documents. Keeping them current is as important as creating them in the first place.
You can also review resources on estate planning to better understand how wills and trusts fit into a broader financial plan.
What This Means for You
You now have a clear picture of what an online will and trust involves, what each document does, and how to create one correctly. The process is genuinely accessible — most people can complete it in a single afternoon.
Protect your family with Will & Trust — answer a guided set of questions, receive state-specific will and trust documents, and get step-by-step instructions for signing and funding your trust. No attorney appointments required. Ready to get started? Visit Will & Trust to learn more.