Best Estate Planning Apps California 2025: Top 6 Ranked
Looking for the best estate planning app for your California family? We compared the top platforms—LegalZoom, Trust & Will, Nolo, FreeWill, Rocket Lawyer, and attorney-backed options—to help you choose.
Living Trust California is the only platform that includes attorney review for $400. LegalZoom charges $549+ without attorney review. Trust & Will charges $798+ without attorney review. You'd pay $2,000+ to add attorney review elsewhere—we include it at no extra cost.
2025 Estate Planning App Rankings (California)
| Rank | Platform | Living Trust Price | Attorney Review? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 #1 | Living Trust California | $400 | ✅ Yes (CA Bar #208356) |
| #2 | Nolo Quicken WillMaker | $289 (software only) | ❌ No |
| #3 | LegalZoom | $549+ | ❌ No (optional add-on) |
| #4 | Trust & Will | $798+ | ❌ No |
| #5 | Rocket Lawyer | $39.99/mo subscription | ⚠️ Limited |
| #6 | FreeWill | Free (wills only) | ❌ No |
Why "Attorney Review Included" Matters
Most "estate planning apps" generate documents automatically—no attorney ever looks at your specific trust. If there's an error, you won't know until after death when it costs your family thousands to fix in probate court.
LegalZoom
$549+ NO attorney review
Trust & Will
$798+ NO attorney review
Living Trust CA
$400 WITH attorney review ✓
What Is an Estate Planning App?
An "estate planning app" is an online platform or software that helps you create legal documents like living trusts, wills, and powers of attorney. These range from pure DIY software (you do everything yourself) to attorney-backed platforms (an attorney reviews your documents).
For California families, the choice matters because California has unique laws—community property rules, Prop 19 property tax implications, and specific probate thresholds ($208,000 in 2025)—that generic templates may not handle correctly.
Top 6 Estate Planning Apps Reviewed
🥇 #1: Living Trust California
Best Overall⭐ ONLY platform with attorney review included at $400 ⭐
Price: $400 individual / $500 couples — attorney review INCLUDED
What You Get: Complete living trust package, pour-over will, healthcare directive, financial power of attorney. Every document is personally reviewed by CA Bar-licensed attorney Rozsa Gyene (Bar #208356) before delivery—not auto-generated and forgotten.
Why Attorney Review Matters:
- Catches errors before they become expensive probate problems
- Ensures California-specific rules are handled correctly (community property, Prop 19)
- Attorney is liable for mistakes (malpractice insurance protects you)
- You get a real person to call with questions
The Bottom Line: Why pay LegalZoom $549+ for documents NO attorney reviews, when Living Trust California gives you attorney-reviewed documents for $400?
Start My Trust → $400 with Attorney Review#2: Nolo Quicken WillMaker
Price: $289 (software license)
What You Get: Downloadable software to create trusts, wills, and other documents. No attorney review.
Pros: Reputable legal publisher, extensive educational content, one-time purchase.
Cons: No attorney review, you're responsible for errors, software format (not web-based), must research CA-specific rules yourself.
#3: LegalZoom
Price: $549+ for living trust (attorney review extra)
What You Get: Online questionnaire, document generation, optional attorney consultation for additional fee.
Pros: Well-known brand, available nationwide, user-friendly interface.
Cons: More expensive than attorney-backed CA options, no attorney review included, generic templates. Read full LegalZoom review →
#4: Trust & Will
Price: $798+ for living trust
What You Get: Modern interface, document generation, phone support.
Pros: Clean design, good user experience, millennial-focused marketing.
Cons: Most expensive DIY option, no attorney review, generic templates. Read full Trust & Will review →
#5: Rocket Lawyer
Price: $39.99/month subscription
What You Get: Access to legal document templates, limited attorney consultations included in subscription.
Pros: Subscription includes multiple documents, some attorney access.
Cons: Ongoing subscription cost adds up, not specifically California-focused, limited attorney time.
#6: FreeWill
Price: Free (wills only; trusts not available)
What You Get: Free will creation, supported by nonprofit partnerships.
Pros: Free, simple interface, good for basic wills.
Cons: No living trusts available, wills don't avoid probate in California, very basic.
Why Attorney Review Matters for California Estate Planning
California has unique estate planning rules that DIY apps often get wrong:
- Community Property: California is 1 of 9 community property states. DIY apps designed for common-law states may not properly handle marital property.
- Prop 19: Property tax reassessment rules changed in 2021. Generic templates don't address parent-child transfer exclusions.
- $208,000 Threshold: California's small estate threshold is $208,000 in 2025. Your trust funding strategy matters.
- Specific Signing Rules: California trusts require specific execution formalities. Errors can invalidate your trust.
An attorney review catches these issues before they become expensive problems. That's why Living Trust California includes attorney review for just $400—less than what LegalZoom charges without review.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best estate planning app for California in 2025?
For California families, Living Trust California offers the best combination of online convenience and attorney oversight at $400. Pure DIY apps like LegalZoom ($549+) and Trust & Will ($798+) are more expensive and don't include attorney review.
Are estate planning apps legal in California?
Yes, estate planning apps can create legally valid documents in California when properly executed. However, DIY apps use generic templates that may not properly address California-specific rules like community property and Prop 19.
Should I use an estate planning app or hire an attorney?
The best option is an attorney-backed online platform that combines app convenience with legal oversight. Living Trust California offers this for $400—less than most DIY apps, with actual attorney review included.
How much do estate planning apps cost?
Estate planning app costs vary: LegalZoom charges $549+ for a living trust, Trust & Will charges $798+, and Nolo charges $289 for software only. Living Trust California charges $400 for a complete living trust with attorney review.
Does Living Trust California include attorney review?
Yes! Unlike LegalZoom, Trust & Will, and other DIY platforms, Living Trust California includes attorney review in the $400 flat fee. Every document is personally reviewed by CA Bar-licensed attorney Rozsa Gyene (Bar #208356) before delivery. This catches errors, ensures California compliance, and gives you malpractice protection—at no extra cost.
Ready for Attorney-Backed Estate Planning?
Get app-like convenience with real legal protection. $400 flat fee, CA Bar-licensed attorney review.
Legal Review By
Rozsa Gyene, Esq.
California State Bar #208356 | Licensed Since 2000
25+ years estate planning experience in California
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Estate planning apps can't save you from these wait times—only a properly funded living trust can.