How LegalZoom Simplifies Creating a Will or Trust Online

Introduction: Estate Planning Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

Are you putting off estate planning because you find it expensive, intimidating, or only for the wealthy? Understandable. Estate plans come with confusing steps and jargon, which are real rotten cherries on top. But LegalZoom could be your solution. This online estate planning platform offers an easy, affordable, and legally reliable way to create a will or trust online, helping you protect what matters most without the stress.

In this guide, we’ll break down how LegalZoom works, what makes it trustworthy, and how to decide which estate planning option is right for you.

Why Estate Planning Is So Important

Wills let you outline your last wishes, from asset distribution to guardianship for minor children.

Trusts are legal entities that can also be used for estate planning. They can hold your assets, be used for life insurance, and protect inheritances from creditors. However, irrevocable trusts are difficult to modify after creation.

With a proper estate plan, you can avoid family disputes and lengthy court processes.

The risk of doing nothing

Without a clear estate plan, state laws decide who gets your property. The probate court process can take years upon years to distribute assets and pay off estate debt. The court also deals with who gains guardianship of your minor children or dependents, which could have a lifelong painful impact.

Your heirs may receive a lot less than what is expected because there was no estate plan.

Important: Everyone needs at least a basic estate plan.

The Challenge: Traditional Estate Planning Can Be Overwhelming

There are so many barriers to traditional estate planning. First off, you have the high attorney fees. It can cost $1,000 or even over $5,000 to plan out your estate with an attorney the traditional way. You might encounter complex legal language while enduring time-consuming, in-person meetings.

People often delay estate planning because of these barriers, leaving their families unprotected.

LegalZoom brings the solution to everyone by simplifying the estate planning process and bringing it online. The simple guided questions, online platform, and affordable pricing make estate planning much cheaper and easier.

What Is LegalZoom?

LegalZoom is a leading online legal services platform. It has helped millions of Americans create legal documents without hiring a traditional attorney. It has over 20 years of experience. Major financial and legal publications recognize LegalZoom as a trustworthy platform.

LegalZoom’s mission is to make law and estate planning accessible and affordable, because everyone deserves to be able to create a proper estate plan.

If you’re worried that there is no professional support, fret not. LegalZoom offers attorney support too. Let’s go into detail.

Attorney support

LegalZoom provides access to licensed attorneys (for an additional fee) to review documents or answer specific questions.

The Pro Will option starts at $149 and includes unlimited 30 minute attorney consultation for 30 days, renewing at $25 per month.

If you want even more in-depth guidance, the Premium Will option comes with an extra annual 1 hour estate planning review with an experienced attorney and 25% off further attorney services.

How LegalZoom Simplifies Creating a Will Online

Guided step-by-step process

LegalZoom will ask you a few simple questions about your assets, family, and wishes. This is to get a good idea of what documents to prepare for you.

No legal jargon

Creating a will can be stressful enough. If you had to go through complex jargon, that would be even worse. Fortunately, LegalZoom gets that. They use plain language whenever they can so that you can understand what’s going on and what’s being asked, without a headache.

State-specific compliance

Estate planning has state-specific requirements. For example, a few states do not allow online will planning. The good news is that LegalZoom will tell you what your state’s legal requirements are, while customizing your will automatically to meet them. As a top estate planning platform, LegalZoom always keeps up with changing laws to help your document stay valid.

Naming guardians and executors

In your will, you can add guardians for any minor dependents. An executor can be named to manage your estate. Any contingent choices can also be made.

LegalZoom makes it easy to appoint guardians and executors, while also giving you the option to include backup choices.

Digital access and secure storage

Wills, trusts, and other estate plan documents must be stored securely but also easy to access when needed. LegalZoom lets you download or print your will immediately if you (or your executors) need it.

Your estate plan gets stored securely online for easy access and future updates after its initial creation. You can always come back to it to make updates, fast and convenient.

Affordable pricing

Will estate plans with LegalZoom start at $129. This might seem like a lot, but it’s definitely cheap when compared to traditional estate planning attorneys, who might cost you that much just for an initial meeting.

And if you ever require more attorney support, you can go for an upgrade for attorney advice or ongoing legal support.

Pro tip: LegalZoom helps you finish a simple, legally valid will in under 30 minutes… all from home.

How LegalZoom Helps You Create a Trust

Types of trusts available

A trust is a legal entity that can be used for a multitude of purposes, such as asset protection. There are two major types of trusts:

Revocable Living Trust: Helps you bypass the probate process for assets you place within the trust. Keeps the assets private as you give them to your heirs.

Irrevocable Trust: For more advanced estate planning, asset protection, and tax purposes, irrevocable trusts are hard to modify once you put assets into it. Attorney-assisted LegalZoom services are available so you don’t make any mistakes when setting up your irrevocable trust.

Simple setup process

Tired of endless questions that aren’t relevant? LegalZoom’s guided online questionnaire is fast as it confirms your preferences and determines what is relevant for you. Then, LegalZoom can automatically generate legally valid trust documents that are tailored to your state.

Funding your trust

LegalZoom provides clear instructions for transferring assets into the trust, which is a crucial step that many people actually overlook.

Flexibility and control

If desired, you can name yourself as a trustee during your lifetime. Just remember to add successor trustees who will manage the trust after you pass away.

Integration with wills, Powers of Attorney, and more

Estate planning isn’t only about wills and trusts. LegalZoom offers bundled estate planning packages so you and your loved ones have excellent protection, while ensuring all your documents work together seamlessly.

Benefits of Using LegalZoom for Wills and Trusts

Ease of Use

The clear, guided instructions for every decision means you can quickly go through the will creation process without worrying about missed steps.

Affordability

Use LegalZoom? Takes $100 to $200 for the entire process. Hire a lawyer? Expect to pay at least $1,000, or even far more, even if you’re only drafting a basic will. Reality is, many people are looking for an affordable alternative to hiring a lawyer. LegalZoom is a great option to consider because of its affordability.

Speed

Some people fear the estate planning process takes weeks, or even months. But did you know you can actually complete key documents in less than an hour? LegalZoom makes the process conveniently fast, so you could speed through it after lunch and still have the rest of your afternoon to enjoy, with added peace of mind that your basic estate plan is prepared.

Legal Confidence

LegalZoom is built by legal professionals who are familiar with the ins and outs of estate plans. Plus, experts have reviewed each estate planning component for state compliance, so you aren’t accidentally missing something crucial that is state-specific.

Customization

Do you have any personal estate planning goals or circumstances? LegalZoom lets you add unique instructions and preferences so that you can take care of you and your family’s wishes.

Attorney Support Available

You can always upgrade your estate planning package with LeaglZoom to get legal advice or a professional document review as needed.

How LegalZoom Compares to Traditional Estate Planning

Compared to a traditional attorney’s estate planning services, LegalZoom is:

• More affordable
• Better for those with straightforward estate needs
• Excellent for those who want a valid, basic will, fast
• Able to provide a comprehensive online platform for estate planning
• Convenient for storing all your estate plan documents online

When to Use LegalZoom vs When to Call an Attorney

Use LegalZoom if

• You have a simple estate or straightforward estate goals
• You only have personal assets, such as a home and vehicle
• You want to designate guardians for your minor children or dependents
• You want to distribute assets to your beneficiaries and heirs
• You prefer a fast, affordable solution

Consult an attorney if

• You own multiple businesses or properties
• You have complex tax or trust structures
• You need advanced asset protection or Medicaid planning

Hybrid approach

A hybrid approach to will and trust creation is perfectly valid. Many people gain great benefits when they start with LegalZoom to create a solid foundation for their estate plan. Then, as they realize what estate planning goals they have and complexities they face, they can have an estate planning attorney review for added peace of mind. Most people find the attorney review and consultation services with LegalZoom enough, but you can always hire an independent estate planning lawyer as well.

How LegalZoom Integrates with Other Estate Planning Tools

You can combine your will or trust with other estate planning options in order to secure the most protection for your loved ones. Here are some of the best estate planning tools that are often necessary other than a will.

Life Insurance

Life insurance grants a death benefit to your beneficiaries upon your death, perfect for immediate liquidity. Providers like Ethos offer great affordable coverage.

Power of Attorney and Healthcare Directive documents

LegalZoom can also help you handle Power of Attorney and Healthcare Directive documents. If you become incapacitated, the designated agents will carry out your wishes for you, be they financial, legal, or medical. You can choose multiple attorneys-in-fact for different purposes, or you can grant an attorney-in-fact temporary PoA.

Customer Experience and Real Results

LegalZoom has a Better Business Bureau rating of A+, BBB accredited since 2001. 26 years in business, LegalZoom has acquired the trust of millions of clients. People have used LegalZoom to protect their families, estates, and futures.

From single parents to large dynasties, from business protection to guardianship needs. So many people have ensured their loved ones are safe in just an afternoon, no attorney even necessary.

How to Get Started with LegalZoom

• Go to LegalZoom.com
• Select “Wills & Trusts” from the menu
• Choose between a Last Will & Testament or a Living Trust package
• Answer a few guided questions.
• Review, sign, and store your document securely
• (Optional) Add attorney assistance or bundle with other estate documents.

Pro tip: Don’t let your estate plan become outdated. Review your estate documents every 3 to 5 years, or after major life changes.

Conclusion: Simplify Your Legacy with LegalZoom

Traditional estate planning can be daunting, and LegalZoom knows that. LegalZoom’s online platform lets you complete a legally valid will or trust within an hour and at affordable prices. For as little as $149, you can protect your loved ones and your assets today, no lawyer appointments required.