LegalZoom vs US Legal Forms for May 2024 | Best Living Trust Services (2024)

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Wednesday, May 15th

2024 Living Trust Service Reviews

LegalZoom vs US Legal Forms for May 2024 | Best Living Trust Services (1)LegalZoom vs US Legal Forms for May 2024 | Best Living Trust Services (2)

LegalZoom

LegalZoom vs US Legal Forms for May 2024 | Best Living Trust Services (3)

  • Prices range from $279 to $399
  • Accepted in all 50 states
  • Get help from real attorneys
  • Helpful FAQs
  • "A+" Better Business Bureau rating

LegalZoom has been in the business of creating legal documents since 2001. Their services are continually expanding and they have a solid network of professionals to assist you with your living trust. LegalZoom won't be your cheapest option, but if you have a more complex estate planning situation, the legal advice you'll receive as part of your package will prove useful to you. LegalZoom is well-liked by customers and has an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau, landing them a top spot amongst their competitors.

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LegalZoom vs US Legal Forms for May 2024 | Best Living Trust Services (4)LegalZoom vs US Legal Forms for May 2024 | Best Living Trust Services (5)

US Legal Forms

LegalZoom vs US Legal Forms for May 2024 | Best Living Trust Services (6)

  • $8/month for basic or $15/month for premium paid annually
  • Options to do month-to-month subscriptions
  • Valid in all 50 states
  • Over 85,000 legal forms

US Legal Forms has an impressive selection of legal documents for customers to use. They have two package options to choose from that are reasonably priced, especially if you are wanting to complete a lot of different legal forms, but you're locked into a monthly subscription. And, they only have a "B" rating from the Better Business Bureau because of a pattern of complaints. They also have fewer customer reviews than we like to see, so this is one of our least favorite options for creating living trusts.

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More Living Trust Service Reviews

Rocket Lawyer
LegalZoom
Trust and Will
LawDepot
FindLegalForms
Nolo
FreeWill
Quicken WillMaker
TOPS
See all of ourLiving Trust Service reviews

The 10 Best Living Trust Services

  1. Rocket Lawyer

  2. LegalZoom

  3. Trust and Will

  4. LawDepot

  5. FindLegalForms

  6. Nolo

  7. FreeWill

  8. Quicken WillMaker

  9. US Legal Forms

  10. TOPS

Where is the Best Place to Create a Living Trust Online?

While making a living trust may not be on the top of your to-do list, it should be. Not to be confused with a living will, a living trust allows you to manage and distribute your assets both during your lifetime and after you pass away. It goes into effect as soon as it is signed and can give you and your loved ones peace of mind knowing that no one will have to worry about going through a probate process.

Creating a living trust online has seen a significant surge in popularity over the last few years due to several reasons. In addition to being both convenient and inexpensive, online living trusts are easily accessible when needed. In fact, this method of estate planning has revolutionized the way individuals protect their assets and plan for the distribution of their wealth after their passing.

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LegalZoom vs US Legal Forms for May 2024 | Best Living Trust Services (27) LegalZoom vs US Legal Forms for May 2024 | Best Living Trust Services (28) LegalZoom vs US Legal Forms for May 2024 | Best Living Trust Services (29) LegalZoom vs US Legal Forms for May 2024 | Best Living Trust Services (30) LegalZoom vs US Legal Forms for May 2024 | Best Living Trust Services (31)

Living Trust Service FAQ

What is a living trust?

A living trust is a legal document created in one's lifetime where a designated person (trustee) is given the responsibility for managing a person's assets for a beneficiary. A living trust is used in the event that the trust creator passes away and needs their assets transferred to someone else. This helps bypass the complex and expensive processes of probate. An irrevocable living trust can also be used to protect one's assets by creating a separate entity to "own" them: if an individual is sued, their property can't be taken if it's held by the trust.

Who needs a living trust?

A living trust is ideal for anyone who is single and has assets tied up in their sole name. This will allow beneficiaries to avoid the costs and hassles of probate. Since a living trust does nothing for someone during their lifetime, they are typically drafted by people who are 60 years and older who start to become concerned about their health as they age and want to avoid issues for their loved ones if they pass away unexpectedly.

How much does it cost to make a living trust?

Drafting up a living trust can cost anywhere from $30 to $100 if you choose to do it yourself. This is a much more cost-effective option when compared to hiring a lawyer and paying upwards of $1,000 or more. When creating a living trust, you'll be paying for the online platform you use or the software you purchase and download.

Do living trusts expire?

A living trust usually expires up to 21 years after the creator of the trust passes away. However, it's unlikely that assets won't be settled by then, so most expire when the trustor dies and the assets are immediately distributed. A person who makes a living trust during their lifetime will not have to worry about it expiring before they die.

When does a living trust become effective?

A living trust becomes effective as soon as it is created. The final act of making a living trust valid is when the trustor "funds" the trust by transferring assets into it. People who create a living trust can immediately have peace of mind knowing that their assets are going to be taken care of as soon as they pass away.

Is it hard to make a living trust?

No! With simple online tools, you can follow a fill-in-the-blank process to create your living trust. You'll walk step-by-step through the process and be able to provide all the necessary information at your own pace. This is a lot easier than meeting in-person with a lawyer and going back and forth on the requirements for the living trust. It is also a lot less expensive!

Can a living trust be changed?

A revocable living trust can be altered whenever the trustor wants. It is flexible in that you can change the terms whenever you choose with or without an attorney. If you have a living trust in both you and your spouse's names, your spouse can also make changes at any time. On the other hand, an irrevocable living trust is fixed and can't be altered once established.

Is a living trust ever made public?

No. The terms of a living trust never need to be made public. Unlike a will that becomes a matter of public record when it is submitted to probate court, a living trust can remain private. The only people who need ever review the terms of the trust is the trustor(s), trustee, beneficiaries, and an attorney if necessary.

LegalZoom vs US Legal Forms for May 2024 | Best Living Trust Services (32)

Continued from above...

Online living trusts let you create these legal documents from the comfort of your own home, eliminating the need for multiple visits to attorneys' offices and streamlining the entire process.

Another reason people are drawn to online living trust services is the cost factor. Traditional estate planning services can be prohibitively expensive, often with high attorney fees and administrative costs. By contrast, online living trusts provide an affordable alternative, letting you create a legally binding document at a fraction of the cost.

Regardless of your income status, it's important to save your family both time and money by getting things in order with a living trust. Not only will you be able to choose who distributes your property in the event that you become disabled or die, but you'll remain in complete control of all your assets in the meantime.

Another reason to take this legal step is to avoid bank issues, not have to wait on a judge, and protect your own privacy while ensuring that your assets are legally accounted for.

We'll be the first to acknowledge that end-of-life affairs are not fun to think about, let alone spend time taking care of. However, getting it over with will provide immeasurable relief for you and your loved ones and it's much easier than you'd think. There are fantastic online platforms that will walk you through all the steps to creating a living trust without spending hundreds of dollars. Real lawyers will verify the validity of your documents and ensure they meet all necessary legal requirements for a fraction of the cost you might find elsewhere.

Many online legal services have round-the-clock access to customer service agents who will make sure you're taken care of and confident with the process of creating your living trust. When deciding which company to use, take the following things into consideration:

  • Professionalism. When it comes to legal documents, all I's need to be dotted and T's need to be crossed. There's no room to engage with a company that won't show the utmost professionalism and attention to detail. Check the background of their legal team. Are they transparent with their processes and guarantee that their documents are up to legal standards?
  • Cost. Regardless of how you spin it, you'll be saving tons of money by not dealing with a lawyer in-person to create your living trust. However, you still want to save as much money as you can while making sure you're using a legitimate company. How competitive is the company's costs when compared to others who offer the same services?
  • User friendliness. Most of us aren't very familiar with legal jargon and may not understand all the processes that come with legally binding documents. Make sure you find a company that makes you feel confident and leaves no room for questions. Do they have an FAQ page? Is there always someone available to answer your questions?

Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the best companies to help you create a living trust. We hope this information helps you take care of your end-of-life affairs without any stress or hassle!

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FAQs

Is LegalZoom a good option for living trust? ›

A LegalZoom living trust gives you control and flexibility over your assets and gives you peace of mind that your loved ones will be cared for when you are gone. Knowing you can control your assets yourself and depend on your trustee to distribute them exactly as you wish is a great benefit.

Are LegalZoom documents valid? ›

LegalZoom, one of the most prominent sellers of do-it-yourself wills and other estate planning documents, is the target of a class action lawsuit in California charging that the company engages in deceptive business practices and is practicing law without a license.

Is LegalZoom a good way to do a will? ›

The will service stands out for its state-specific legal advice, which you can add to a will or trust plan for $100. Though its document bundles aren't as all-inclusive as some other online will services, LegalZoom is still a great choice for its affordable attorney access.

Do LegalZoom documents hold up in court? ›

LegalZoom documents and contracts can hold up in court, but there are a few factors to consider.

Who is the best trustee for a living trust? ›

Private Professional Trustees, Trust Banks, and Trust Companies. If you don't have a family member or close friend you consider responsible, whom I call a “civilian,” you may want to consider a “private professional fiduciary.” These are people who hold themselves out to the world as professional trust administrators.

How long does it take to complete a will on LegalZoom? ›

Complete our easy online questionnaire. We prepare your LegalZoom Living Will within 2 business days. Our document specialists review your work for spelling, consistency and completeness before completing your document. We send your Living Will to you.

Why not use LegalZoom? ›

The documents they give you too often fail to meet your company's unique needs, they are not maintained to reflect recent developments (and opportunities) in the law, you have no recompense for malpractice due to their extensive disclaimer, and it's very hard to make up for a badly written management agreement or ...

What is better than LegalZoom? ›

ZenBusiness has a faster turnaround time than LegalZoom, which means you'll get your LLC sooner. ZenBusiness has more affordable prices and their packages have better value than LegalZoom.

Is LegalZoom a reliable source? ›

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has given LegalZoom an A rating, and almost 6,000 customers have rated the service with 4.57 out of 5 stars. The LegalZoom reviews on Trustpilot show that it has earned “Excellent” status, and over 1,700 customers have rated the service an average of 4.5 out of 5-stars.

Why choose LegalZoom? ›

LegalZoom is a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs

We can help you with everything you need to manage your day-to-day operations, from registered agents to operating agreements, business licenses, and annual reports. With a full suite of bookkeeping and tax prep products, you'll never have any surprises at tax time.

What are the cons of doing a will online? ›

Cons of DIY wills

The money you save now as you create a last will online could end up costing your estate and/or your heirs' money later if the will isn't valid or its validity ends up being contested because it wasn't written well enough to withstand objections. And the same goes for time.

What is a Pourover trust? ›

With a pour-over will, any assets not included in your trust are automatically transferred to your trust after you pass away. Think of it as a kind of “safety net,” capturing any property you didn't transfer to your trust while you were alive.

What is the LegalZoom controversy? ›

LegalZoom has been sued in California for the unauthorized practice of law by preparing and filing trademark applications.

How long does it take for LegalZoom to process? ›

But LegalZoom's standard processing time is five to 14 days. You'll have to pay a $99 expedited filing fee for one-day processing in states where this option is even available.

What makes a legal document a legal document? ›

In short, a legal document by definition is one that outlines an agreement between two or more parties that has been signed by mutual assent and in all other respects can be relied upon in court.

What is the downside of a living trust? ›

What Are the Disadvantages of a Trust in California? Trusts are costly to create. Creating a trust without an attorney may be less expensive, but doing so leaves the trust much more vulnerable to trust contests and other legal litigation. It is also more time-consuming to properly set up a trust than to create a will.

What is the best type of living trust? ›

Choosing the best type of trust depends on what you prioritize in the estate planning process. For example, an irrevocable living trust is best if you're trying to minimize taxes, but if you want to prioritize flexibility and reserve the right to revoke your trust, a revocable living trust is likely the better option.

What type of trust is best for real estate? ›

Benefits of a Trust

There are many types of trusts, but the revocable living trust is probably the most common and useful for holding title to real estate. The major benefit from holding property in a trust is that the property avoids probate after your death.

How much does a living trust cost in CA? ›

A comprehensive living trust estate plan can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $10,000.

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