Nolo vs Trust & Will
An honest side-by-side comparison of two of our top estate planning picks — pricing, strengths, weaknesses, and who each one is really for.
Nolo
Ranked #3 of 15 in this directory
Legal information and DIY tools from the self-help law pioneer
Trust & Will
Ranked #1 of 15 in this directory
Modern estate planning designed for the way you live today
Our pick: Trust & Will. Our editors rank Trust & Will higher overall in Estate Planning — but Nolo can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case below. How we review
Compare the details
| Nolo | Trust & Will | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | See website | See website |
| Category | Wills Trusts | Wills Trusts |
| Editorial rank | #3 of 15 | #1 of 15 |
Strengths
Nolo
- ✓Over 50 years of self-help legal publishing expertise
- ✓WillMaker software creates comprehensive estate document packages
- ✓Extensive educational content explains the law behind each document
- ✓One-time purchase covers wills, trusts, healthcare directives, and more
- ✓Regular updates keep documents current with changing state laws
Trust & Will
- ✓State-specific documents reviewed by licensed estate attorneys
- ✓Clean, modern interface that completes in about 15 minutes
- ✓Includes guardianship nomination for parents with minor children
- ✓Unlimited updates to documents as life circumstances change
- ✓Trust-based plans available for those wanting to avoid probate
Watch out for
Nolo
- !Interface feels more utilitarian than modern competitors
- !Desktop software approach feels dated compared to web-first platforms
- !No attorney review or legal advice included
Trust & Will
- !More expensive than bare-bones will generators
- !No live attorney consultation included in base pricing
- !Trust plans require additional investment over simple will plans
- !Limited customization for complex multi-state estate situations
Best use cases
Nolo
- →Use WillMaker to create a complete estate planning package including will, healthcare directive, and POA
- →Reference Nolo's legal guides to understand the difference between a will and a living trust
- →Create a pet trust to ensure care for animals after your passing
Trust & Will
- →Create a will and guardianship nomination for minor children after the birth of a first child
- →Set up a revocable living trust to avoid probate on a home and investment accounts
- →Update beneficiary designations and power of attorney after a marriage or divorce
About each tool
Nolo
Nolo has been the leading publisher of self-help legal information for over 50 years, offering estate planning software, books, and online resources. Their Quicken WillMaker product is a comprehensive desktop and online tool for creating wills, trusts, healthcare directives, and financial power of attorney documents. Nolo's educational approach helps users understand the legal concepts behind their documents.
Trust & Will
Trust & Will is the leading online estate planning platform, offering state-specific wills, trusts, and guardianship documents through a guided questionnaire that takes about 15 minutes to complete. The platform was designed to make estate planning accessible to younger generations who might otherwise put it off indefinitely. Documents are reviewed by estate planning attorneys in each state, and the platform provides ongoing updates as laws change.
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