Article
Best Estate Planning Services in 2026
Discover the best comprehensive estate planning services for 2026. Compare Trust & Will, Nolo, LegalZoom, and other platforms offering complete estate solutions including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives.
Comprehensive estate planning protects your family, preserves your wealth, and ensures your wishes are honored. A complete estate plan goes beyond a simple will to include living trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and digital asset management. Modern online platforms now make professional-quality comprehensive estate planning accessible and affordable.
Our team analyzed the leading estate planning services, comparing document completeness, pricing, ease of use, and professional support. Here are the 10 best comprehensive estate planning services for 2026.
Quick Comparison
| Service | Best For | Pricing | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Trust & Will | Best Overall Estate Planning Platform | $199 will, $499 trust | ★4.9/5 |
| 2. Nolo Quicken WillMaker & Trust | Best Value Comprehensive Package | $109-$219 one-time | ★4.8/5 |
| 3. LegalZoom | Best for Professional Attorney Support | $99-$249 will, $399-$549 trust | ★4.7/5 |
| 4. GoodTrust | Best All-In-One Package | $149 one-time | ★4.7/5 |
| 5. Rocket Lawyer | Best for Ongoing Legal Services | $39.99/month or $239.88/year | ★4.6/5 |
| 6. FreeWill | Best Free Comprehensive Service | Free | ★4.5/5 |
| 7. Wealth.com | Best for High Net Worth Estates | Custom pricing | ★4.5/5 |
| 8. Fabric | Best for Young Families | Free will | ★4.4/5 |
| 9. EstateGuru | Best Educational Platform | $179 will, $399 trust | ★4.3/5 |
| 10. Gentreo | Best Digital Legacy Management | $99/year subscription | ★4.2/5 |
Our Top Picks in Detail
Trust & Will
Trust & Will delivers the most streamlined comprehensive estate planning experience available. With a 4.9 rating and intuitive interface, it offers complete solutions including wills, living trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives with state-specific customization and bank-level security for ultimate peace of mind.
Pros
- ✓Most user-friendly interface
- ✓Complete in under 1 hour
- ✓State-specific documents in all 50 states
- ✓Bank-level encryption security
- ✓First year updates included free
- ✓Optional attorney line-by-line review
- ✓Wills, trusts, POAs, healthcare directives
- ✓4.9/5 rating from GOBankingRates
Cons
- ✗Updates cost $19-$39/year after first year
- ✗Attorney access unavailable in 7 states
- ✗Higher cost than basic services
Nolo Quicken WillMaker & Trust
Nolo's Quicken WillMaker & Trust stands as America's #1 estate planning software, offering unmatched value with 35+ documents in one package. The comprehensive suite includes wills, living trusts, healthcare directives, powers of attorney, and real estate forms with extensive educational resources and offline capabilities.
Pros
- ✓One-time purchase, no subscription
- ✓35+ legal documents included
- ✓Unlimited wills for household
- ✓Both wills and trusts included
- ✓Offline privacy protection
- ✓Trusted by 1.7 million customers
- ✓Comprehensive educational materials
- ✓Real estate and asset forms
Cons
- ✗Online access renewal $39.99/year
- ✗Not available in Louisiana
- ✗No attorney support
- ✗Steeper learning curve
LegalZoom
LegalZoom excels in providing professional estate planning with attorney oversight. Premium plans include unlimited 30-minute legal consultations for one year and attorney document review, making it ideal for those who want expert guidance throughout the entire estate planning process and beyond.
Pros
- ✓Attorney document review (Premium)
- ✓Unlimited 30-minute attorney calls (1 year)
- ✓Transparent tiered pricing
- ✓Comprehensive estate packages
- ✓60+ years dealer finance experience
- ✓Available in all 50 states
- ✓One year free revisions (Premium)
- ✓30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- ✗Premium auto-renews at $199/year
- ✗Longer completion time (40+ minutes)
- ✗$19.95 update fee without Premium
GoodTrust
GoodTrust offers the most comprehensive package at the best price point, combining will, living trust, advance directives, and innovative Digital Vault technology for $149 one-time fee. Perfect for families wanting complete physical and digital estate planning with the fastest completion time in the industry.
Pros
- ✓Best value at $149 for everything
- ✓Will, trust, and all directives included
- ✓Digital Vault for online accounts
- ✓Family plan at no extra cost
- ✓Fastest completion (6 minutes)
- ✓Valid in all 50 states
- ✓Digital executor assignment
- ✓20-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- ✗No attorney support available
- ✗Documents not state-specific
- ✗One-year access limitation
Rocket Lawyer
Rocket Lawyer functions as a comprehensive legal toolkit offering estate planning plus unlimited business and personal legal documents. With attorney consultations included in Premium membership, it's ideal for entrepreneurs and families needing ongoing legal services beyond basic estate planning.
Pros
- ✓7-day free trial
- ✓Unlimited document creation
- ✓Attorney review included (Premium)
- ✓Works in all 50 states
- ✓Business and personal legal documents
- ✓LLC and corporation formation
- ✓Contract creation tools
- ✓Ongoing legal support
Cons
- ✗Subscription requires ongoing fees
- ✗Less intuitive for beginners
- ✗Not cost-effective for one-time use
FreeWill
FreeWill democratizes estate planning by offering completely free, expertly-designed documents funded by charitable organizations. While best suited for straightforward estates, it provides comprehensive wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives with unlimited updates and free trust creation in select states.
Pros
- ✓Completely free service
- ✓20-minute completion time
- ✓Unlimited free updates forever
- ✓Valid in all 50 states
- ✓Free trust in select states
- ✓Expert-reviewed documents
- ✓Funded by 700+ nonprofits
- ✓Charitable giving guidance
Cons
- ✗No attorney access
- ✗Limited to simpler estates
- ✗Trust only available in select states
Wealth.com
Wealth.com specializes in sophisticated estate planning for high net worth individuals and families with complex needs. Offering advanced tax strategies, multi-generational planning, business succession, and ongoing professional advisor support, it's designed for estates requiring comprehensive expert guidance.
Pros
- ✓Tailored for complex estates
- ✓Advanced tax planning strategies
- ✓Multi-generational planning
- ✓Professional advisor support
- ✓Business succession planning
- ✓Charitable giving strategies
- ✓Ongoing estate management
- ✓Comprehensive trust structures
Cons
- ✗Higher cost than DIY platforms
- ✗Requires advisor consultation
- ✗Overkill for simple estates
Fabric
Fabric focuses on young families with children, offering free will creation that emphasizes guardian designation and family protection. While it doesn't offer trusts or advanced planning, its family-first approach and integration with life insurance make it ideal for parents starting their estate planning journey.
Pros
- ✓Free will creation
- ✓Family and child-focused
- ✓Guardian designation emphasized
- ✓Life insurance integration
- ✓Quick and easy process
- ✓Mobile-friendly interface
- ✓Educational content for parents
Cons
- ✗Limited to basic wills
- ✗No trust creation
- ✗Fewer features than comprehensive services
EstateGuru
EstateGuru prioritizes education and understanding, helping users comprehend not just how to create estate documents but why each component matters. With comprehensive learning materials and detailed explanations, it's perfect for those who want to fully understand their estate planning decisions while creating documents.
Pros
- ✓Extensive educational materials
- ✓Detailed explanations for each section
- ✓Step-by-step guidance
- ✓One-time payment model
- ✓Printable reference guides
- ✓Understanding-focused approach
- ✓Comprehensive document library
Cons
- ✗Longer completion time (1-2 hours)
- ✗Higher learning curve
- ✗Limited customer support
Gentreo
Gentreo specializes in digital legacy management with secure document storage, family access controls, and emergency contact alerts. The annual subscription model includes unlimited updates and mobile app access, making it ideal for tech-savvy families who prioritize digital document management.
Pros
- ✓Secure digital vault
- ✓Family access management
- ✓Annual subscription model
- ✓Document updates included
- ✓Mobile app access
- ✓Emergency contact alerts
- ✓Digital asset management
Cons
- ✗Ongoing annual fee required
- ✗Less comprehensive than top services
- ✗Newer platform with limited track record
How We Evaluate Estate Planning Services
Our expert team uses a comprehensive methodology to evaluate estate planning platforms. Here’s what we consider:
Document Completeness
We evaluate the full range of planning tools:
- Last will and testament: Asset distribution and guardian designation
- Living trusts: Revocable trusts for probate avoidance
- Powers of attorney: Financial and healthcare decision authority
- Healthcare directives: Living wills and medical wishes
- Digital asset management: Online account and password protection
- Supporting documents: Asset schedules, certifications, instructions
Pricing and Value
We analyze total cost of ownership:
- Upfront fees for comprehensive packages
- Update and revision costs over time
- Subscription vs. one-time purchase models
- Value for couples and families
- Hidden fees and auto-renewals
- Cost comparison with attorney fees
User Experience
We assess ease and efficiency:
- Interface design and intuitiveness
- Completion time for full estate plan
- Guided question-and-answer flow
- Educational resources and explanations
- Mobile accessibility
- Document download and storage options
Legal Quality and Support
We verify compliance and expertise:
- State-specific customization
- Legal expert document review
- Attorney consultation availability
- Customer service quality
- Execution guidance for legal validity
- Ongoing support and resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s included in a comprehensive estate plan?
A complete estate plan includes: last will and testament, living trust (for larger estates), durable power of attorney for finances, healthcare power of attorney, living will/advance directive, HIPAA authorization, and increasingly, digital asset management. The best services bundle these documents together at a package price.
Do I need comprehensive estate planning or just a will?
If you have significant assets (typically $100,000+), own real estate, have minor children, or want to avoid probate, comprehensive planning with a living trust is advisable. Simple estates with few assets may need only a will. Consider your goals: privacy, probate avoidance, tax planning, and family protection needs.
How much does comprehensive estate planning cost?
Online comprehensive services range from free (FreeWill for basic planning) to $599 (Trust & Will for couples with trusts). Most quality platforms cost $149-$499 for complete packages. Traditional attorney fees for comprehensive planning typically run $1,500-$5,000+, making online services significantly more affordable for straightforward estates.
Can online estate planning replace an attorney?
For most straightforward estates, yes. Online platforms provide legally valid, state-specific documents created by legal experts. However, complex situations warrant attorney guidance: significant wealth ($1M+), business ownership, blended families, special needs trusts, estate tax concerns, or multi-state property ownership.
How long does it take to complete comprehensive estate planning?
Completion times vary by platform: GoodTrust averages 6 minutes for basic plans, Trust & Will under 1 hour, Nolo 1-2 hours for thorough planning. The time depends on estate complexity, how prepared you are with asset information, and whether you want to understand each section thoroughly.
What’s the difference between a living trust and a will?
A will directs asset distribution after death through probate court (public, 6-18 months). A living trust holds assets during life, transfers them immediately upon death, avoids probate, remains private, and can manage assets if you become incapacitated. Most comprehensive plans include both for complete protection.
How do I manage digital assets in my estate plan?
Modern estate planning should address digital assets: online accounts, passwords, social media, cryptocurrency, cloud storage, and digital photos. Services like GoodTrust and Gentreo offer Digital Vaults for secure storage and sharing. Designate a digital executor and provide access instructions for your online life.
When should I update my estate plan?
Review your plan every 3-5 years or after major life events: marriage, divorce, births, deaths, significant asset changes, moves to different states, or changes in beneficiary wishes. Most services offer annual update options ($19-$99/year) or subscription models with unlimited updates included.