Will vs Trust — Which Do You Need?
They solve different problems, and most people need a will long before they need a trust. Here is the honest comparison.
A will directs
It says who receives what, who raises your children, and who administers your estate — after you die.
A trust holds
It lets trustees hold and manage property for your family, and can pass assets outside your estate.
Probate
Assets in a properly funded trust generally avoid probate. Assets passing under a will usually do not.
Most people start with a will
A will is the foundation. A trust is an addition for specific circumstances, not a replacement.
The honest comparison
- Everyone with assets or dependants needs a will. Not everyone needs a trust.
- A will only operates on death. A trust can operate during your lifetime.
- A trust only protects what is actually transferred into it — an unfunded trust does nothing.
- A trust does not remove the need for a will: you still need one to cover anything outside the trust.
Pricing
Simple, transparent pricing. No hidden fees, no subscriptions.
Both plans are completely free — pick based on how much customization you need.
Basic Will
Essential estate planning for straightforward needs
No cost, ever
- Last Will & Testament
- Instant PDF download
- Free will & secure vault storage
- Secure cloud vault storage
- AI-guided will builder
- Standard support
Advanced Will
Full customization for complex estate needs
No cost, ever
- Everything in Basic
- Substitute executors
- Pet care provisions
- Cash legacies & specific bequests
- Age-based trusts
- Burial & funeral instructions
- Priority support
Optional Add-ons
Complete Bundle
Every add-on in one discounted package — POA, spousal will, living will, family trust, e-notary, printed delivery and affidavit
Power of Attorney
Power of Attorney documents
$19Spousal Will
Mirrored will for your spouse/partner
$19E-Notary
Electronic notarization of your will
$49Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between a will and a trust?
A will directs what happens to your estate after you die. A trust is an arrangement where trustees hold property for beneficiaries, and it can operate while you are alive.
Do I need both?
Often yes. Even people with a trust keep a will to cover assets that were never transferred into it. A will is the foundation of any plan.
Does a trust avoid probate?
Assets properly transferred into a trust generally pass outside your estate and so avoid probate. Assets left out of the trust do not.
Which should I do first?
Make your will first — it is free here and takes about twenty minutes. Then consider whether a trust adds anything for your circumstances.
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