Trust & Will Review: Costs, Pros, Cons, and Better Alternatives

Estate planning is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family and your legacy. In 2025, many people turn to online platforms to create a will or trust without paying expensive attorney fees. Among the most well-known services is The U.S. Will Registry, Trust & Will, and Rocket Lawyer.  But how does Trust & Will.com  really compare to alternatives like Rocket Lawyer.com , and The U.S. Will Registry?

This comprehensive review will explore the costs, pros, and cons of Trust & Will, and compare its offerings to other major players in the online estate planning space. By the end, you’ll understand whether Trust & Will is worth the price, or if free alternatives provide better protection for you and your family.

How ‘Trust &Will’ Works

Trust & Will is designed to make the estate planning process more approachable. Instead of hiring an attorney for hundreds of dollars an hour, you can create legally valid documents online by following a guided questionnaire for a smaller fee.

The process works like this:

1. Select a plan – Choose between the Will Plan or the Trust Plan.
2. Answer guided questions – Provide details about your property, financial accounts, children, healthcare wishes, and beneficiaries.
3. Generate customized documents – The platform produces legally valid, state-specific estate planning documents.
4. Finalize legally – You must print, sign, and properly witness the documents for them to be enforceable in court.

The convenience is appealing, but it’s worth noting that Trust &Will does not provide free registration or secure storage. This means your will could still go missing, and without a way to prove where it’s stored, the document may never be found by your loved ones.

Trust & Will Pricing

Trust & Will is less expensive than hiring an attorney but not free.

• Will Plan: $199 for an individual / $299 for a couple
• Trust Plan: $499 for an individual / $599 for a couple

Each plan includes one year of unlimited edits. After that, you must pay:

• $19/year for Will Plan updates
• $39/year for Trust Plan updates

For attorney support, Trust & Will charges $299 annually, but coverage is not available in every state.

💡 Summary: Trust & Will is more affordable than traditional lawyers but costlier than competitors that offer wills and updates at no cost.

The U.S. Will Registry Pricing and Services

Unlike subscription-based platforms such as Trust & Will, The U.S. Will Registry takes a different approach. It was established in 1997 and has since become one of the most trusted resources for families and attorneys. The program offers the most user-friendly free online will maker in the country, making it accessible to everyone.

Creating a will through The U.S. Will Registry is completely free. Families can draft, edit, and securely store their will at no cost. Registration of the will in the national database is also free, ensuring that loved ones can locate the document when it matters most. Unlimited updates are included, so your will can grow and change as your life does.

The only fee The U.S. Will Registry charges is a nominal $14.95 search fee when someone needs to look for a missing will in the national registry. This allows families, attorneys, or courts to confirm whether a will exists and where it is stored. Millions of wills are already registered, and the database reaches back to documents from 1967.

Beyond wills, The U.S. Will Registry also provides:

• Free estate planning forms (including advance directives, living wills, and powers of attorney).

• Free obituary and death notice posting and search service.

• A nationwide attorney directory for estate and probate professionals.

• Secure, cloud-based document storage through a trusted integration partner.

This model ensures that creating and protecting a will remains available to everyone, regardless of financial situation, while still offering the tools families need to plan ahead with confidence.

Should You Use the Trust & Will Online Program to Create a Trust or Hire an Attorney?

Platforms like Trust & Will (trustandwill.com) do offer online trusts. They guide you through questionnaires, then generate customized legal documents. These tools are convenient and usually valid if executed correctly. But here’s the important part: trusts are much more complex than wills. Unlike a will, a trust:

• Requires you to transfer assets into it (retitling accounts, property deeds, etc.).

• Can include tax planning, asset protection, and detailed distribution rules.

• Must comply with specific state laws that change regularly.

Because of this, estate attorneys often recommend that any trust — even one started online — should be reviewed by an attorney. A lawyer ensures the trust covers all aspects of your situation, avoids errors, and actually accomplishes your goals.

So the bottom line is:

• Online trusts are a good starting point for simple estates.

• Attorney-drafted or attorney-reviewed trusts are best for complex estates, blended families, tax concerns, or large asset transfers.

Who is Ideal for DIY Online Wills? 

1. Single Individuals With Simple Estates

If you are single, with no children and no complex assets, an online will is usually safe. You can easily state who should inherit your bank accounts, vehicle, or personal property. Since there are no competing family interests, the risk of disputes is very low.

2. Married Couples With Shared Property

Couples who own property jointly often benefit from online wills. Most assets, such as homes and joint bank accounts, already pass automatically to the surviving spouse. An online will ensures smaller items or personal belongings are distributed smoothly, without needing costly legal input.

3. People Leaving Everything to One Person

If your estate plan is straightforward, such as leaving all assets to a spouse, child, or sibling, online wills are a safe option. The simpler the distribution, the fewer chances of mistakes or legal challenges.

4. Parents Naming Guardians for Minor Children

Parents can use an online will to designate guardians for their children. This is especially important because it prevents courts from making the decision. As long as the will is signed and witnessed properly, this part of the will is legally valid and enforceable.

5. Individuals With Basic Assets

People who own everyday assets — such as a car, personal belongings, savings accounts, or household items — are ideal candidates for online wills. Since these estates do not involve business interests, complex investments, or multiple properties, an attorney’s oversight is usually not necessary.

6. Those Without Large Debts or Tax Concerns

If your estate is modest and unlikely to trigger federal or state estate taxes, an online will can cover your needs. High-value estates or those with significant debts often require tax planning and attorney review, but smaller, simpler estates do not.

7. People Who Update Regularly

An online will is safest for people who are proactive. If you update your will after major life events — such as marriage, divorce, or having children — online services with unlimited edits (like The U.S. Will Registry) make this process simple and free of ongoing risk.

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Bottom Line: Online wills are safe for people with straightforward estates, simple family structures, and clear wishes. They are also ideal for those who want affordability, convenience, and the ability to update their documents regularly.

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Competitor Comparison

Let’s compare Trust & Will to three other leading options: FreeWill.com, The U.S. Will Registry, and Rocket Lawyer.

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Comparison Table

Feature	Trust & Will	FreeWill.com	The U.S. Will Registry	Rocket Lawyer
Cost	$199–$599	Free	Free	$39.99/month or $39.99/document
Ongoing Fees	$19–$39/year	None	None	Subscription required
Attorney Access	$299/year (limited states)	Fellows network	Use attorney of choice	Included at discount with membership
Document Updates	Free 1st year, then paid	Unlimited free	Unlimited free	Unlimited with membership
Will Registration	No	No	Yes – Free	No
Secure Storage	No	No	Yes – Free	No
Extra Legal Forms	Wills & trusts only	Wills & trusts	Self-proving affidavit, witness forms, codicils, notary service, power of attorney forms	Wills, contracts, leases, business forms
Reputation	4.5/5 Trustpilot	4.9/5 Trustpilot	Trusted since 1997	4.6/5 Trustpilot

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Pros of Trust & Will

• Cheaper than hiring an estate attorney.
• User-friendly, guided questionnaires.
• 30-day money-back guarantee.
• Optional attorney review available.

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Cons of Trust & Will

• Plans start at $199, which may be too costly for some.
• Additional membership fees required to update documents after the first year.
• No will registration or secure storage included.
• Attorney support is limited to certain states.

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FreeWill.com: A Popular Free Alternative

FreeWill.com offers wills and trusts for free, making it one of the most widely used alternatives. Documents are valid in all 50 states and can be updated an unlimited number of times.

However, FreeWill.com does not include will registration or secure storage, so families may still face difficulties locating the will after death. While it’s a solid option for creating a will at no cost, it doesn’t provide the long-term protections offered by The U.S. Will Registry.

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The U.S. Will Registry: The Most Complete Free Solution

The U.S. Will Registry, founded in 1997, is the most comprehensive free estate planning resource available. It not only allows you to create a will online but also ensures it will always be accessible when needed.

Key advantages include:

• Free will creation – Complete a legal will online from home.
• Free lifetime will registration – Records the location of your will so it can always be found.
• Free secure storage – Protects your will from being lost, destroyed, or misplaced.
• Unlimited updates – Keep your will current at no cost.
• Extra legal forms – Includes self-proving affidavits, witness forms, codicils, notary service (available), and power of attorney forms.

This broad set of tools makes The U.S. Will Registry the most complete option in 2025 for individuals who want peace of mind that their estate plan will always be available to their heirs.

Rocket Lawyer: Flexible, But Subscription-Based

Rocket Lawyer is a broad legal service platform that goes beyond estate planning. Members have access to hundreds of legal forms, including contracts, leases, and business documents, along with attorney advice at discounted rates.

Best suited for: Small business owners or those who want access to a wide range of legal documents.

Limitations:

• Requires a monthly subscription ($39.99/month).
• More expensive over time if you only need a will.
• Does not include will registration or secure storage.

Which Service Is Best?

Choosing between these platforms depends on your goals:

• Trust & Will is best if you want a polished, guided platform and are comfortable with membership fees.
• FreeWill.com is excellent for creating a free will and making unlimited updates, but it lacks registration and storage.
• The U.S. Will Registry is the most complete option, offering not only free wills but also free registration, secure storage, and additional legal forms.
• Rocket Lawyer is ideal if you need ongoing legal services beyond estate planning, but it is costlier for someone only seeking a will.

Final Thoughts

Estate planning is no longer limited to expensive attorney visits. In 2025, platforms like Trust & Will, Rocket Lawyer, and The U.S. Will Registry have made it possible to create legally valid wills and trusts from home. Each service has unique strengths, but the key differences come down to cost, ongoing support, and whether your documents can be located when families need them most.

Trust & Will provides polished, easy-to-use documents but at a higher cost, with ongoing fees for updates and limited attorney support. Rocket Lawyer is valuable for those who need broader legal services beyond estate planning, though the subscription model can be expensive for someone who only wants a will.

The U.S. Will Registry, by comparison, offers the most complete solution. It provides free will creation, free registration, free secure storage, unlimited updates, and access to essential estate planning forms. By ensuring documents are both created and easily found, The U.S. Will Registry delivers the peace of mind families need most.

Ultimately, your choice depends on your goals. If you want a polished guided platform and don’t mind ongoing fees, Trust & Will may be right. If you prefer an all-in-one free resource that guarantees your will or trust will never be lost, The U.S. Will Registry stands out as the best option in 2025.

 

👉 Click Here to Start writing your will with The U.S. Will Registry now!

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