Quick Overview
- 1#1: Quicken WillMaker & Trust - Comprehensive desktop software for creating state-specific wills, living trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives with extensive guidance.
- 2#2: Trust & Will - Online platform for building customized wills, revocable trusts, guardianship documents, and estate plans with attorney review options.
- 3#3: LegalZoom - DIY estate planning tools offering wills, living trusts, powers of attorney, and add-ons like attorney consultations.
- 4#4: Rocket Lawyer - Subscription service providing on-demand estate planning documents including wills, trusts, and legal advice from attorneys.
- 5#5: FreeWill - Free online will maker and estate planning tools for creating legal wills, healthcare directives, and financial powers of attorney.
- 6#6: Fabric by Gerber Life - Estate planning app tailored for parents, generating wills, guardianship nominations, and beneficiary designations.
- 7#7: GoodTrust - Digital-first estate planning service for wills, trusts, digital asset management, and pet trusts.
- 8#8: Everplans - Secure digital vault for organizing estate plans, wills, assets, and end-of-life instructions to share with family.
- 9#9: LawDepot - Online legal form builder for estate planning documents like wills, living wills, and powers of attorney.
- 10#10: U.S. Legal Forms - Downloadable state-specific legal forms for DIY estate planning including wills, trusts, and probate documents.
Tools were ranked based on depth of features (including state-specific documents, add-ons like attorney reviews, and digital asset management), legal precision, user experience, and overall value, ensuring they deliver reliable, accessible solutions for everything from basic wills to complex trusts.
Comparison Table
This comparison table helps readers navigate DIY estate planning software, featuring popular tools like Quicken WillMaker & Trust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, Rocket Lawyer, FreeWill, and more. It breaks down key features, usability, and value to assist in choosing a solution that fits needs for wills, trusts, and essential documents.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quicken WillMaker & Trust Comprehensive desktop software for creating state-specific wills, living trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives with extensive guidance. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.6/10 |
| 2 | Trust & Will Online platform for building customized wills, revocable trusts, guardianship documents, and estate plans with attorney review options. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 3 | LegalZoom DIY estate planning tools offering wills, living trusts, powers of attorney, and add-ons like attorney consultations. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 4 | Rocket Lawyer Subscription service providing on-demand estate planning documents including wills, trusts, and legal advice from attorneys. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | FreeWill Free online will maker and estate planning tools for creating legal wills, healthcare directives, and financial powers of attorney. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 | 10.0/10 |
| 6 | Fabric by Gerber Life Estate planning app tailored for parents, generating wills, guardianship nominations, and beneficiary designations. | specialized | 7.4/10 | 6.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.6/10 |
| 7 | GoodTrust Digital-first estate planning service for wills, trusts, digital asset management, and pet trusts. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 8 | Everplans Secure digital vault for organizing estate plans, wills, assets, and end-of-life instructions to share with family. | specialized | 7.1/10 | 6.8/10 | 8.4/10 | 6.9/10 |
| 9 | LawDepot Online legal form builder for estate planning documents like wills, living wills, and powers of attorney. | specialized | 7.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 10 | U.S. Legal Forms Downloadable state-specific legal forms for DIY estate planning including wills, trusts, and probate documents. | specialized | 6.5/10 | 6.0/10 | 7.0/10 | 8.0/10 |
Comprehensive desktop software for creating state-specific wills, living trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives with extensive guidance.
Online platform for building customized wills, revocable trusts, guardianship documents, and estate plans with attorney review options.
DIY estate planning tools offering wills, living trusts, powers of attorney, and add-ons like attorney consultations.
Subscription service providing on-demand estate planning documents including wills, trusts, and legal advice from attorneys.
Free online will maker and estate planning tools for creating legal wills, healthcare directives, and financial powers of attorney.
Estate planning app tailored for parents, generating wills, guardianship nominations, and beneficiary designations.
Digital-first estate planning service for wills, trusts, digital asset management, and pet trusts.
Secure digital vault for organizing estate plans, wills, assets, and end-of-life instructions to share with family.
Online legal form builder for estate planning documents like wills, living wills, and powers of attorney.
Downloadable state-specific legal forms for DIY estate planning including wills, trusts, and probate documents.
Quicken WillMaker & Trust
specializedComprehensive desktop software for creating state-specific wills, living trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives with extensive guidance.
Unlimited state-specific revocable living trusts that bypass probate for most assets
Quicken WillMaker & Trust is a comprehensive DIY estate planning software that allows users to create legally valid wills, revocable living trusts, durable powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and final arrangements documents tailored to their state's laws. It features an guided interview process that simplifies complex legal concepts into straightforward questions, generating customizable documents ready for signing and notarization. The software includes tools for executor guidance, document organizers, and annual updates to reflect current legal changes across all 50 states.
Pros
- Creates unlimited documents for your entire family, including wills, trusts, and powers of attorney
- State-specific customization with annual legal updates at no extra cost
- Trusted for over 30 years with attorney-reviewed forms and clear guidance
- Significant cost savings compared to hiring an estate planning attorney
Cons
- Interview process can be lengthy for complex family situations
- No direct legal advice or attorney consultation included
- Primarily desktop software (Windows/Mac), not fully cloud-based
- Upfront purchase required for new editions each year
Best For
Busy individuals and families wanting professional-grade estate planning documents affordably without an attorney.
Trust & Will
specializedOnline platform for building customized wills, revocable trusts, guardianship documents, and estate plans with attorney review options.
Full revocable living trust creation with pour-over will, designed to bypass probate seamlessly
Trust & Will is an online DIY estate planning platform that guides users through creating customized wills, revocable living trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and guardianship documents via an interactive questionnaire. It ensures state-specific compliance and supports digital signing and secure storage. Ideal for straightforward estates, it offers affordable alternatives to traditional attorney services with optional updates and support.
Pros
- Comprehensive document library including trusts and wills
- Intuitive step-by-step questionnaire for non-experts
- State-specific customization and digital execution options
Cons
- Limited suitability for highly complex estates or unique assets
- Basic customer support without included attorney consultations
- Annual updates require additional membership fees
Best For
Individuals or couples with straightforward to moderate estates seeking quick, affordable online planning without an attorney.
LegalZoom
specializedDIY estate planning tools offering wills, living trusts, powers of attorney, and add-ons like attorney consultations.
Seamless integration of optional attorney consultations to validate DIY documents
LegalZoom is a pioneering online legal services platform offering DIY estate planning tools that enable users to generate state-specific documents such as wills, living trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives via interactive questionnaires. The service focuses on simplifying the process for non-experts, providing legally valid forms without requiring attorney involvement in the core DIY flow. It stands out for its broad legal document library beyond just estate planning, with optional upgrades for professional reviews.
Pros
- Intuitive step-by-step questionnaires for quick document creation
- State-specific customization ensuring legal compliance
- Trusted brand with extensive customer support resources
Cons
- Higher pricing than specialized DIY competitors
- Frequent upsells to attorney services during process
- Less advanced features for complex estates compared to dedicated software
Best For
Beginners and busy individuals seeking a reputable, straightforward platform for basic estate planning documents with optional expert input.
Rocket Lawyer
specializedSubscription service providing on-demand estate planning documents including wills, trusts, and legal advice from attorneys.
Seamless integration of DIY document creation with on-demand attorney advice and review services
Rocket Lawyer is an online legal platform offering a library of customizable legal documents, including essential estate planning tools like wills, living trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. Users can generate, edit, and e-sign documents independently through an intuitive document builder, with optional add-ons for attorney review and advice. It bridges DIY tools with professional support, making it suitable for straightforward estate planning needs without full legal representation.
Pros
- Comprehensive library of estate planning documents including wills, trusts, and POAs
- On-demand attorney consultations and document reviews available
- Unlimited document creation with membership and integrated e-signatures
Cons
- Subscription model required for full access, which may not suit one-time users
- Templates are somewhat generic and less guided than specialized estate software
- Complex estates may still require professional customization beyond DIY tools
Best For
Budget-conscious individuals or families needing basic estate planning documents with optional attorney input.
FreeWill
specializedFree online will maker and estate planning tools for creating legal wills, healthcare directives, and financial powers of attorney.
100% free, state-specific estate planning documents with nonprofit backing
FreeWill (freewill.com) is a nonprofit-powered online platform that enables users to create essential estate planning documents like last wills, revocable living trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives for free. It uses a guided, step-by-step interview process to customize documents based on user inputs, available in all 50 states. The service emphasizes accessibility, simplicity, and encouraging charitable giving through optional bequests.
Pros
- Completely free core documents with no hidden fees
- Intuitive guided interview process suitable for non-experts
- Comprehensive coverage of basic estate planning needs across all 50 states
Cons
- Limited options for complex trusts or high-net-worth scenarios
- No built-in attorney review or legal consultation
- Heavy emphasis on charitable donations may feel promotional
Best For
Busy individuals or families wanting quick, no-cost basic estate planning without advanced legal complexities.
Fabric by Gerber Life
specializedEstate planning app tailored for parents, generating wills, guardianship nominations, and beneficiary designations.
Free standalone will creation with no purchase required, including notary and witness guidance
Fabric by Gerber Life is a user-friendly online platform offering DIY estate planning tools, primarily a free basic will creator, powers of attorney, and guardianship worksheets generated via a simple questionnaire. It produces state-specific documents quickly and is integrated with their term life insurance products for added financial planning. While straightforward for beginners, it focuses on essentials rather than comprehensive trust-based planning.
Pros
- Completely free basic estate planning documents
- Intuitive, questionnaire-based process that's quick to complete
- State-specific and attorney-reviewed templates
Cons
- Limited to basic wills and PoAs; no living trusts or advanced options
- Less customization for complex family or asset situations
- Full features optimized for Fabric insurance policyholders
Best For
Budget-conscious individuals or young families needing a simple, no-cost will and basic directives without complex estates.
GoodTrust
specializedDigital-first estate planning service for wills, trusts, digital asset management, and pet trusts.
Digital Vault for securely storing and transferring digital assets, passwords, and posthumous messages.
GoodTrust is a user-friendly online platform for DIY estate planning, offering customizable wills, revocable living trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and beneficiary deeds. It includes unique tools like a Digital Vault for managing online accounts, pet care plans, and final wishes messages. The service emphasizes affordability and lifetime free updates, making it suitable for straightforward estates without needing an attorney.
Pros
- Comprehensive document library including trusts and digital asset management
- Lifetime free updates and revisions on all plans
- Intuitive interface with guided questionnaires
Cons
- Limited support for highly complex or high-asset estates
- No included attorney review in base plans (add-on extra)
- Some state-specific customizations may require manual adjustments
Best For
Tech-savvy individuals or couples with moderate assets seeking affordable, ongoing estate planning without attorney involvement.
Everplans
specializedSecure digital vault for organizing estate plans, wills, assets, and end-of-life instructions to share with family.
The Life Vault, which securely stores and organizes 144+ document types with customizable access for designated survivors
Everplans is a secure online platform that serves as a digital vault for organizing and storing over 144 types of end-of-life and estate planning documents, such as wills, powers of attorney, and financial records. It provides guided checklists, templates for letters and instructions, and tools to designate trusted contacts for post-death access. While it excels in document management and sharing, it does not generate legally binding estate planning documents like wills or trusts.
Pros
- Secure, centralized storage for hundreds of document types
- Simple sharing and access controls for family or executors
- Helpful checklists and guides for end-of-life preparation
Cons
- No tools for creating legally binding documents like wills or trusts
- Full features require a paid subscription
- Limited integration with legal document services
Best For
Users who have existing estate documents and need an organized, shareable digital repository rather than full DIY creation tools.
LawDepot
specializedOnline legal form builder for estate planning documents like wills, living wills, and powers of attorney.
Broad library of over 150 legal templates, allowing one-stop creation of estate planning docs alongside other legal forms.
LawDepot is an online platform that enables users to create customizable legal documents, including key estate planning tools like last wills and testaments, powers of attorney, living wills, and basic trusts through interactive questionnaires. It focuses on DIY document generation without attorney involvement, allowing instant downloads in PDF format for signing and notarization. While versatile across various legal needs, its estate planning offerings are straightforward and suitable for simple scenarios but lack depth for complex estates.
Pros
- Affordable per-document or subscription pricing
- Intuitive step-by-step wizards for quick document creation
- Supports multiple countries and states for basic customization
Cons
- Limited advanced features like complex trusts or estate tax planning
- No option for attorney review or consultation
- Templates may not fully address unique family or asset situations
Best For
Budget-conscious individuals or couples needing basic wills, POAs, and directives without complex assets or ongoing legal support.
U.S. Legal Forms
specializedDownloadable state-specific legal forms for DIY estate planning including wills, trusts, and probate documents.
Largest library of over 85,000 state-specific legal forms available for instant download
U.S. Legal Forms (uslegalforms.com) offers a massive library of over 85,000 downloadable legal documents, including a wide range of estate planning forms like wills, living trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives, all customizable and state-specific. Users purchase and download forms in PDF format to fill out manually, with basic instructions provided but no interactive software or guided interviews. It's a straightforward, no-frills resource for DIY estate planning, ideal for those seeking affordable templates without advanced automation.
Pros
- Vast selection of state-specific estate planning forms
- Low cost for individual downloads or subscriptions
- Immediate access to downloadable, editable PDFs
Cons
- No guided questionnaires or automated document generation
- Manual filling increases risk of errors without legal review
- Limited support or updates compared to full-service platforms
Best For
Budget-conscious DIY users comfortable manually customizing basic estate planning forms for simple needs.
Conclusion
While various tools offer solid estate planning solutions, Quicken WillMaker & Trust leads as the top choice, boasting comprehensive desktop features, extensive guidance, and state-specific documents. Trust & Will and LegalZoom also stand out, with Trust & Will providing customizable plans and attorney review options, and LegalZoom offering accessible tools with flexible add-ons. Together, these platforms meet diverse needs, ensuring users can find the right fit for their estate planning journey.
Take the first step by exploring Quicken WillMaker & Trust, or consider Trust & Will or LegalZoom if their unique strengths better align with your priorities, to secure your assets and future with confidence.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
Referenced in the comparison table and product reviews above.