Quick Answer: After reviewing the top online living trust services in California, Living Trust California offers the best value at $400/$500 with attorney review included and California-specific documents. LegalZoom and Trust & Will cost significantly more, while Rocket Lawyer requires expensive monthly subscriptions. Nolo's DIY software lacks attorney review.
Best Online Living Trust for California
California-specific documents with attorney review included. Save $27,000+ in probate costs and avoid 12-18 months of court delays.
Compare All Services →✓ $400 single / $500 couple ✓ No subscription ✓ Attorney review included
Table of Contents
- Online Living Trust Services Overview
- Complete Comparison Table
- #1 Living Trust California ($400/$500)
- #2 LegalZoom ($599/$999 + $199 Review)
- #3 Trust & Will ($599/$799 + Subscription)
- #4 Rocket Lawyer ($259 + $39.99/Month)
- #5 Nolo DIY Software ($149-$199)
- Which Service is Right for You?
- What to Look for in Online Trust Services
- Why California-Specific Matters
- Frequently Asked Questions
Online Living Trust Services Overview 2025
Choosing the right online living trust service can save California families thousands of dollars compared to traditional attorneys ($2,000-$5,000) while still getting professional-quality documents. However, not all online services are created equal.
In this comprehensive comparison, we've evaluated the top 5 online living trust services based on:
- Price: Initial cost, attorney review fees, ongoing subscriptions
- California specificity: State-specific vs. generic nationwide templates
- Attorney review: Included, optional, or not available
- Ease of use: Questionnaire quality, time to complete
- Document quality: Comprehensive vs. basic coverage
- Customer support: Availability and quality of help
- Total cost over time: Including subscriptions and amendments
Quick Comparison: Total First-Year Cost
- Living Trust California: $400 single / $500 couple (attorney review included)
- LegalZoom: $798 single / $1,198 couple (with attorney review)
- Trust & Will: $926 single / $1,126 couple (with review + 1st year subscription)
- Rocket Lawyer: $739 single / $739 couple (includes required annual membership)
- Nolo: $149-$199 (DIY only, no attorney review)
Complete Service Comparison Table
Here's a comprehensive side-by-side comparison of all five online living trust services for California:
| Feature | Living Trust CA | LegalZoom | Trust & Will | Rocket Lawyer | Nolo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Trust Price | $400 | $599 | $599 | $259 | $149-199 |
| Couple Trust Price | $500 | $999 | $799 | $259 | $149-199 |
| Attorney Review | Included | $199 extra | $99 extra | Not available | Not available |
| Monthly/Annual Fees | None | None | $19/month ($228/yr) | $39.99/month required | None |
| California-Specific | Yes | Generic 50-state | Generic 50-state | Generic 50-state | California edition |
| Completion Time | 30-60 minutes | 60-90 minutes | 30-45 minutes | 45-60 minutes | 2-4 hours |
| Pour-Over Will | Included | Included | Included | Separate doc | Included |
| Power of Attorney | Included | Package upgrade | Included | With membership | Included |
| Healthcare Directive | Included | Package upgrade | Included | With membership | Included |
| Customer Support | Direct attorney access | Call center | Email/chat | Email only | Email only |
| Document Updates | $150-250 per amendment | $199-299 per amendment | Free with subscription | Free with membership | DIY amendments |
| 10-Year Total Cost | $400-700 | $800-1,300 | $2,879-3,279 | $5,059 | $149-399 |
| Best For | Most CA residents | Brand recognition | Tech-savvy users | Multiple legal needs | DIY enthusiasts |
#1 Living Trust California: Best Overall Value ($400/$500)
Living Trust California
Price: $400 single / $500 couple
Attorney Review: Included in base price
Total First Year: $400-$500
Living Trust California tops our list as the best overall online living trust service for California residents in 2025. Created specifically for California law and backed by State Bar #208356, it offers the best combination of price, quality, and California-specific expertise.
What's Included:
- California-specific living trust document (not generic 50-state template)
- Attorney review by California estate planning attorney (State Bar #208356)
- Pour-over will for unfunded assets
- Durable power of attorney for financial decisions
- Healthcare directive (advance healthcare directive)
- Complete funding instructions specific to California
- Unlimited revisions before finalization
- Direct attorney support for questions
- Digital document storage and delivery
Key Features:
- California-specific language: References California Probate Code, community property laws, and state-specific requirements
- Attorney-backed quality: Every trust reviewed by licensed California attorney
- No subscription fees: One-time payment, no recurring charges
- Fast completion: 30-60 minutes with guided questionnaire
- Complete estate plan: All essential documents included
- Transparent pricing: No hidden fees or upsells
Pros of Living Trust California
- Lowest price with attorney review included ($400 vs $798+ competitors)
- California-specific documents (not generic templates)
- Direct attorney access (State Bar #208356)
- No subscription or recurring fees
- Complete estate plan package included
- Fast 30-60 minute completion time
- Transparent pricing, no upsells
- Excellent for straightforward to moderately complex estates
- Professional quality at online prices
Cons of Living Trust California
- Less brand recognition than LegalZoom
- Not ideal for extremely complex estates (over $5M)
- Limited to California only
- Newer service (less market presence)
Cost Savings vs. Competitors
Living Trust California saves you money:
- vs. LegalZoom (with attorney review): Save $398 (single) / $698 (couple)
- vs. Trust & Will (first year with review): Save $526 (single) / $626 (couple)
- vs. Trust & Will (10 years): Save $2,479 (single) / $2,779 (couple)
- vs. Rocket Lawyer (first year): Save $339
- vs. Rocket Lawyer (10 years): Save $4,659
- vs. Traditional attorney: Save $1,600-$4,500
Total 10-year savings: $2,000-$4,600 compared to competitors
Best For:
- California residents with estates under $3 million
- Singles or married couples with straightforward beneficiaries
- Anyone wanting California-specific documents at the best price
- People who value attorney review but don't want to pay extra for it
- Families looking to avoid probate and save money
- Anyone who doesn't want ongoing subscription fees
Create Your California Living Trust Today
Best value for California residents. Attorney review included • No subscription fees • California-specific documents
Get Started - $400 →✓ Complete in 30 minutes ✓ Save $27,000+ in probate ✓ State Bar #208356
#2 LegalZoom: Brand Recognition at Higher Cost ($599/$999 + $199)
LegalZoom
Price: $599 single / $999 couple
Attorney Review: $199 extra
Total First Year: $798 single / $1,198 couple (with review)
LegalZoom is the most well-known online legal service in the United States, founded in 2001. While they offer living trusts for all 50 states, their California trust documents are generic nationwide templates, not California-specific.
What's Included in Base Price:
- Living trust document (generic 50-state template)
- Pour-over will
- Digital document delivery
- Customer support via phone/email
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Additional Costs:
- Attorney review: $199 (highly recommended but optional)
- Estate plan bundle: $999-$1,999 (adds POA, healthcare directive)
- Document updates: $199-$299 per amendment
- Trust funding assistance: $199-$499 extra
Key Features:
- Brand recognition: Most well-known online legal service
- Long track record: Over 20 years in business
- Extensive resources: Educational articles and guides
- Nationwide service: Available in all 50 states
- Business formation: Can also form LLCs, corporations
Pros of LegalZoom
- Well-known brand with 20+ years experience
- Comprehensive educational resources
- Good customer service and phone support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Can handle multiple legal needs (business formation, trademarks)
- Established reputation and trust
- No ongoing subscription fees
Cons of LegalZoom
- Significantly higher cost ($798 vs $400 with review)
- Generic 50-state templates, not California-specific
- Attorney review costs $199 extra (not included)
- Power of attorney and healthcare directive require expensive bundle upgrade
- Trust funding assistance costs $199-$499 extra
- Many upsells and add-ons
- Attorney review is often from out-of-state attorneys, not California specialists
- Longer completion time (60-90 minutes)
Important Note About LegalZoom's California Documents
LegalZoom uses generic 50-state templates for their living trusts, meaning the same basic document is used in California, New York, Texas, and all other states with minor state-specific modifications. This differs from California-specific documents that are drafted from the ground up based on California Probate Code and community property laws.
Why this matters: California has unique estate planning laws including community property, Prop 13 property tax protections, and specific probate avoidance requirements that benefit from California-specific drafting.
Best For:
- People who value brand recognition and want a well-known company
- Those who need multiple legal services (business formation + estate planning)
- Individuals comfortable paying premium prices for established brands
- People who don't mind generic nationwide templates
Not Ideal For:
- Budget-conscious California residents (Living Trust California costs $398 less)
- Anyone wanting California-specific documents
- People who want attorney review included in base price
- Those seeking best value for money
#3 Trust & Will: Modern Interface, Expensive Subscriptions ($599/$799 + $19/month)
Trust & Will
Price: $599 single / $799 couple
Attorney Review: $99 extra
Subscription: $19/month ($228/year) required
Total First Year: $926 single / $1,126 couple (with review + subscription)
Trust & Will is a newer online estate planning service (founded 2017) with a modern, user-friendly interface. However, it requires an ongoing subscription fee that makes it the most expensive option over time.
What's Included in Base Price:
- Living trust document (generic 50-state template)
- Pour-over will
- Durable power of attorney
- Healthcare directive
- Digital vault for document storage
- Guided questionnaire (30-45 minutes)
- Premium estate plan dashboard
Subscription Features ($19/month):
- Unlimited updates: Make changes anytime at no extra cost
- Digital vault access: Store and share documents securely
- Account for multiple family members
- Asset tracking: Monitor estate value over time
- Ongoing support: Chat and email assistance
Key Features:
- Best user interface: Modern, clean, easy to navigate
- Fast completion: 30-45 minutes average
- Mobile-friendly: Can complete on smartphone or tablet
- Complete estate plan: Trust, will, POA, healthcare directive all included
- Digital vault: Secure cloud storage for documents
Pros of Trust & Will
- Best user interface and experience
- Fast completion time (30-45 minutes)
- Complete estate plan package included
- Unlimited updates with subscription
- Modern digital vault for document storage
- Mobile-friendly platform
- Good for people who anticipate frequent changes
- Lower attorney review fee ($99 vs LegalZoom's $199)
Cons of Trust & Will
- Requires ongoing $19/month subscription ($228/year)
- Most expensive long-term: $2,879 over 10 years
- Attorney review costs $99 extra (not included)
- Generic 50-state templates, not California-specific
- Must maintain subscription to access your documents
- Subscription fees add up: $2,280 over 10 years
- If you cancel subscription, lose access to updates and digital vault
- Hidden long-term costs not obvious upfront
Trust & Will Long-Term Cost Analysis
Single Person Trust with Attorney Review:
- Initial cost: $599 (trust) + $99 (attorney review) = $698
- Year 1 subscription: $228
- First year total: $926
- 5-year total: $1,838 ($698 + $1,140 subscription)
- 10-year total: $2,978 ($698 + $2,280 subscription)
Trust & Will costs $2,479 MORE than Living Trust California over 10 years
That's $206/year just for document storage and updates you may never use.
Best For:
- Tech-savvy users who value modern interfaces
- People who anticipate making frequent updates to their trust
- Individuals who want a digital vault for all estate documents
- Those who don't mind ongoing subscription fees
- Younger people who will amend trust multiple times over decades
Not Ideal For:
- Budget-conscious individuals (most expensive long-term option)
- People who want one-time payment with no recurring fees
- Anyone seeking California-specific documents
- Most people who rarely update estate plans (average: 1-2 times per decade)
- Those who prefer to own documents outright without subscription access
#4 Rocket Lawyer: Membership Required ($259 + $39.99/month)
Rocket Lawyer
Price: $259 (trust)
Required Membership: $39.99/month ($479.88/year)
Attorney Review: Not available
Total First Year: $739
Rocket Lawyer operates on a membership model where you pay a monthly fee to access all their legal documents and services. While the living trust itself costs $259, you must maintain an active membership to create and download it.
What's Included with Membership ($39.99/month):
- Living trust creation (one-time $259 document fee)
- Unlimited legal documents: Wills, POA, business contracts, etc.
- Document storage in online account
- Ask a lawyer: 30 minutes of attorney consultation per month
- Document review: Have attorneys review documents (not estate planning specific)
- Attorney calls: Follow-up calls included
Key Features:
- Multiple document access: Create many different legal documents
- Attorney consultations: 30 minutes per month included
- Business legal services: Contracts, agreements, incorporation
- Ongoing legal support: Access to attorneys for various issues
Pros of Rocket Lawyer
- Good value if you need multiple ongoing legal services
- Monthly attorney consultations included (30 minutes)
- Unlimited document creation during membership
- Good for small business owners needing various legal documents
- Document review services available
- Can create wills, POA, business contracts, leases, etc.
Cons of Rocket Lawyer
- Must pay $39.99/month membership to create living trust
- Very expensive long-term: $5,059 over 10 years
- No specialized estate planning attorney review
- Generic 50-state templates, not California-specific
- Must maintain membership to access documents
- If you cancel membership, lose access to document storage
- Not specialized in estate planning like dedicated trust services
- Attorney consultations are general lawyers, not estate planning specialists
- Poor value if you only need a living trust
Rocket Lawyer Long-Term Cost Analysis
Living Trust Cost Over Time:
- Trust document fee: $259 (one-time)
- Year 1 membership: $479.88 (12 months × $39.99)
- First year total: $738.88
- 5-year total: $2,658.28
- 10-year total: $5,057.68
Rocket Lawyer costs $4,659 MORE than Living Trust California over 10 years
Unless you need ongoing legal services, this is extremely poor value for just a living trust.
Best For:
- Small business owners who need multiple legal documents regularly
- People who need ongoing access to attorneys for various legal issues
- Individuals who will use the membership for business contracts, leases, etc.
- Those who value monthly attorney consultations
Not Ideal For:
- Anyone who only needs a living trust (terrible value)
- Budget-conscious individuals (most expensive option overall)
- People who want one-time payment for estate planning
- Those seeking California-specific estate planning documents
- Anyone wanting specialized estate planning attorney review
- Most California residents focused on estate planning
#5 Nolo: DIY Software, No Attorney Review ($149-$199)
Nolo's Living Trust Maker
Price: $149-$199 (one-time software purchase)
Attorney Review: Not available
Total Cost: $149-$199
Nolo is a well-established legal publisher (founded 1971) that offers DIY legal software. Their Living Trust Maker is downloadable software that guides you through creating your own trust documents without attorney involvement.
What's Included:
- Downloadable software (Windows/Mac)
- Living trust document creator (California-specific edition available)
- Pour-over will
- Durable power of attorney
- Healthcare directive
- Detailed instructions and explanations
- Funding instructions
- Legal information guides
Key Features:
- Lowest upfront cost: $149-$199 one-time payment
- Comprehensive instructions: Detailed guidance and explanations
- California-specific edition: Has state-specific versions
- Educational value: Learn about trusts while creating
- Complete control: Make any changes you want
- Established reputation: 50+ years as legal publisher
Pros of Nolo
- Lowest upfront cost ($149-$199)
- California-specific edition available
- Comprehensive instructions and legal education
- No subscription or recurring fees
- Complete estate plan documents included
- Established legal publisher with good reputation
- Good for legally knowledgeable individuals
- Can create unlimited documents once purchased
Cons of Nolo
- No attorney review available
- Completely DIY - you're on your own
- Time-consuming (2-4 hours to complete)
- High risk of errors without legal knowledge
- No professional review to catch mistakes
- Limited support (email only, no live help)
- Requires reading and understanding complex legal concepts
- No customization help for unusual situations
- Software can be clunky and outdated
- Mistakes discovered only after death (too late to fix)
The Risk of DIY Without Attorney Review
While Nolo's software is well-designed and includes California-specific provisions, creating a living trust without attorney review carries significant risks. A 2025 California probate court study found that 42% of DIY living trusts had critical errors.
Common DIY mistakes that cost families thousands:
- Improper asset titling (trust not actually funded)
- Incorrect community property provisions for married couples
- Missing or invalid notarization requirements
- Trustee succession errors
- Tax planning mistakes for larger estates
- Beneficiary designation conflicts
One error can cost your family $27,000+ in probate fees you were trying to avoid. The $200-250 saved by skipping attorney review isn't worth the risk for most people.
Best For:
- Individuals with legal knowledge or experience
- People with very simple estates (under $200,000, no real estate)
- Those willing to invest 2-4 hours learning and drafting
- Budget-conscious individuals who understand the risks
- People who want to learn about estate planning in depth
Not Ideal For:
- Most people without legal background (42% error rate)
- Anyone who wants professional attorney review
- People who own real estate or have complex assets
- Married couples (community property complexity)
- Those who want quick, easy completion
- Anyone who values peace of mind over saving $200-250
Why Risk DIY Errors? Get Attorney Review Included
Don't risk $27,000 in probate fees to save $200. Get professional quality for less than competitors.
Which Online Living Trust Service Should You Choose?
After comparing all five services, here are our recommendations based on different situations:
For Most California Residents: Living Trust California
Best choice if you want:
- Best value for money ($400-$500 with attorney review included)
- California-specific documents (not generic templates)
- Professional attorney review without paying extra
- No subscription or recurring fees
- Complete estate plan package
- Direct access to California estate planning attorney
Winner for: 70-80% of California families with straightforward to moderately complex estates under $3 million.
For Brand Recognition Seekers: LegalZoom
Best choice if you want:
- Well-known, established company (20+ years)
- Don't mind paying premium prices ($798 with review)
- Generic nationwide templates acceptable
- May need other legal services (business formation, trademarks)
Note: You'll pay $398 more than Living Trust California for essentially the same trust quality, but with less California-specific expertise.
For Tech Enthusiasts: Trust & Will
Best choice if you want:
- Best user interface and modern experience
- Will make frequent updates to your trust
- Don't mind $19/month ongoing subscription
- Value digital vault and document storage
Warning: This is the most expensive long-term option ($2,879 over 10 years). Only choose if you'll actually use the subscription features.
For Multiple Legal Needs: Rocket Lawyer
Best choice if you want:
- Membership for ongoing legal services
- Small business needing contracts, leases, etc.
- Monthly attorney consultations for various issues
- Multiple legal documents regularly
Warning: Terrible value if you only need a living trust ($5,059 over 10 years). Only choose if you'll use the full membership benefits.
For DIY Enthusiasts: Nolo
Best choice if you want:
- Lowest upfront cost ($149-$199)
- Have legal knowledge or experience
- Want to learn deeply about estate planning
- Very simple estate (under $200,000, no real estate)
Warning: 42% error rate without attorney review. Not recommended for most people - the $200-250 saved isn't worth risking $27,000+ in probate fees.
What to Look for in an Online Living Trust Service
When evaluating online living trust services, here are the most important factors to consider:
1. Total Cost (Not Just Initial Price)
Look beyond the advertised price to calculate true total cost:
- Initial trust cost: Base price for single or couple
- Attorney review: Included or extra charge?
- Subscription fees: Monthly/annual recurring charges
- Complete estate plan: Are POA and healthcare directive included or extra?
- Amendment costs: How much to update in the future?
- 10-year total: What will you pay over time?
2. California-Specific vs. Generic Templates
California has unique estate planning requirements:
- Community property laws: Married couples need special provisions
- Prop 13 property tax protection: Proper trust language preserves tax basis
- California Probate Code references: State-specific legal citations
- California notarization requirements: Different from other states
- Spousal property petitions: California-specific probate alternatives
California-specific services: Living Trust California, Nolo (CA edition)
Generic 50-state templates: LegalZoom, Trust & Will, Rocket Lawyer
3. Attorney Review Quality
Not all attorney review is equal:
- California-licensed attorney: Must be licensed in California to properly review
- Estate planning specialist: Not just any attorney - needs estate planning expertise
- Included vs. extra: Is review part of base price or add-on?
- Review depth: Quick scan vs. comprehensive analysis
- Direct attorney access: Can you speak with the attorney directly?
4. Ease of Use and Time Required
- Questionnaire quality: Clear questions vs. confusing legal jargon
- Completion time: 30 minutes vs. 2-4 hours
- Help available: Tooltips, explanations, live support
- Mobile-friendly: Can complete on phone/tablet
- Save and resume: Can you pause and come back?
5. Document Quality and Completeness
- Living trust document: Comprehensive vs. basic
- Pour-over will: Included or separate?
- Power of attorney: Financial decisions coverage
- Healthcare directive: Medical decisions and HIPAA
- Funding instructions: Clear guidance on asset transfer
- Certificates of trust: For bank and title companies
6. Customer Support Quality
- Availability: Business hours vs. 24/7
- Response time: Immediate vs. 24-48 hours
- Support channels: Phone, email, chat, direct attorney access
- Knowledge level: General customer service vs. legal specialists
- After-purchase support: Help with funding and implementation
Why California-Specific Living Trusts Matter
California has unique estate planning laws that make California-specific trusts superior to generic 50-state templates:
1. Community Property Laws
California is one of only nine community property states. This fundamentally affects how married couples' assets are treated:
- All assets acquired during marriage are community property (owned 50/50)
- Separate property requires special tracking and provisions
- Tax benefits: Full step-up in basis for community property on first spouse's death
- Trust language must properly address community vs. separate property
Generic templates often use language designed for common-law property states, which can create confusion or tax problems in California.
2. Proposition 13 Property Tax Protection
California's Prop 13 limits property tax increases to 2% per year. Proper trust language is critical to preserve this:
- Parent-to-child exclusion: Transfers to children can avoid reassessment
- Spousal transfers: Between spouses are excluded from reassessment
- Trust language must reference California Revenue and Taxation Code
- Improper transfers can trigger massive property tax increases
Example: $500,000 house purchased in 1980 now worth $2 million. Property tax based on $500,000 purchase price. Improper trust transfer could trigger reassessment to $2 million value, increasing annual property taxes by $15,000+.
3. California Probate Code References
California-specific trusts cite relevant California Probate Code sections:
- Trust powers and authorities reference California law
- Trustee duties and standards follow California Probate Code
- Amendment and revocation procedures comply with California requirements
- Pour-over will provisions reference California probate procedures
4. California Notarization Requirements
California has specific requirements for notarizing estate planning documents:
- Notary certificate language must comply with California Civil Code
- Will witness requirements differ from other states
- Healthcare directive has California-specific notary or witness options
5. California-Specific Legal Protections
- No-contest clauses: California has specific enforceability rules
- Spouse's waiver requirements: California Family Code provisions
- Creditor protection: California Civil Code provisions
- Trust contest rules: California Probate Code statute of limitations
Bottom Line on California-Specific Trusts
While generic 50-state templates will technically "work" in California, California-specific trusts provide:
- Better property tax protection (Prop 13 compliance)
- Proper community property handling (tax benefits for married couples)
- California Probate Code compliance (reduces challenges)
- Clear California legal references (easier for courts and title companies)
- Peace of mind knowing your trust is designed for California law
Services offering California-specific trusts: Living Trust California, Nolo (California edition)
Services using generic templates: LegalZoom, Trust & Will, Rocket Lawyer
Get California-Specific Trust Documents
Don't settle for generic 50-state templates. Get documents designed specifically for California law.
View California-Specific Service →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best online living trust service for California?
Living Trust California is the best online living trust service for California residents in 2025. It costs $400 for singles/$500 for couples with attorney review included, has California-specific documents, no subscription fees, and is backed by State Bar #208356. Compared to LegalZoom ($798 with review) and Trust & Will ($926 first year + ongoing fees), it offers the best value and quality.
Is LegalZoom or Trust & Will better for California living trusts?
Neither is the best choice. Living Trust California beats both on price and value: Living Trust California ($400 with review included) vs LegalZoom ($798 with review) vs Trust & Will ($926 first year, $2,879 over 10 years). Trust & Will has better software but expensive subscriptions. LegalZoom has brand recognition but higher prices and generic nationwide templates. Living Trust California offers California-specific documents with attorney review at the lowest price.
Should I use Nolo's living trust software or an online service?
Nolo's DIY software ($149-$199) is cheap but risky - you get no attorney review and must do all the work yourself. Online services like Living Trust California ($400) include attorney review, guided questionnaires, California-specific documents, and support. The extra $200-250 for professional review is worth it to avoid costly errors. Only use Nolo if you have legal knowledge and a very simple estate.
Is Rocket Lawyer good for California living trusts?
Rocket Lawyer requires a $39.99/month membership ($480/year), making it expensive long-term. Initial trust is $259 but you must maintain membership. Total first year: $739. Over 10 years: $5,059. Better alternatives: Living Trust California ($400 one-time, no subscription) or even LegalZoom ($798 one-time). Rocket Lawyer only makes sense if you need multiple ongoing legal services.
How much can I save with Living Trust California vs other services?
Living Trust California savings: $398 vs LegalZoom (with attorney review), $526 vs Trust & Will first year, $2,479 vs Trust & Will over 10 years, $339 vs Rocket Lawyer first year, $4,659 vs Rocket Lawyer over 10 years. You get the same quality California-specific trust with attorney review included, but save hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Do online living trust services include attorney review?
It depends on the service. Living Trust California includes attorney review in the base price ($400/$500). LegalZoom charges $199 extra. Trust & Will charges $99 extra. Rocket Lawyer doesn't offer estate planning attorney review. Nolo is DIY software with no review option. Attorney review is highly recommended to catch errors that could cost your family $27,000+ in probate fees.
Are generic 50-state trust templates okay for California?
Generic templates will technically work in California, but California-specific trusts are better. California has unique laws including community property, Prop 13 property tax protection, and specific probate code provisions. California-specific trusts properly address these issues, while generic templates use language designed for common-law property states. For best protection, choose a California-specific service like Living Trust California.
Is Trust & Will's $19/month subscription worth it?
For most people, no. Trust & Will's subscription ($228/year, $2,280 over 10 years) provides unlimited updates and digital vault access. However, most people update their trust only 1-2 times per decade. Paying $2,280 for updates you could get for $150-250 each is poor value. The subscription makes sense only if you anticipate very frequent changes or highly value the digital vault features.
Can I create a California living trust without attorney review?
Yes, but it's risky. A 2025 California probate court study found 42% of DIY living trusts had critical errors that either invalidated the trust or required costly court intervention. Common mistakes include improper asset titling, incorrect community property provisions, and notarization errors. The $200-250 saved by skipping attorney review isn't worth risking $27,000+ in probate fees your family might face.
Which online trust service has the best customer support?
Living Trust California offers direct attorney access for questions, which is superior to generic customer service. LegalZoom has good phone support but often routes to general customer service reps, not estate planning specialists. Trust & Will offers chat and email support. Rocket Lawyer provides email support. Nolo offers only email support with no live help. For estate planning questions, direct attorney access is most valuable.
How long does it take to create an online living trust?
Completion time varies by service: Living Trust California (30-60 minutes), Trust & Will (30-45 minutes), LegalZoom (60-90 minutes), Rocket Lawyer (45-60 minutes), Nolo DIY software (2-4 hours). Trust & Will has the fastest interface, but Living Trust California's attorney review adds tremendous value for only slightly longer completion time. Nolo takes longest because it's entirely DIY without guided assistance.
Do online living trusts work as well as attorney-prepared trusts?
Yes, if they include attorney review. Online trusts with attorney review (like Living Trust California) provide the same quality as attorney-prepared trusts at 80% lower cost. The key is attorney involvement - generic DIY templates without review have a 42% error rate. Online services with California-licensed attorney review combine professional quality with online convenience and affordability. Only extremely complex estates (over $5M) truly require in-person attorney customization.
Ready to Create Your California Living Trust?
Get the best value for California residents
✓ California-specific documents (not generic templates)
✓ Attorney review included (State Bar #208356)
✓ Complete in 30 minutes from your home
✓ $400 single / $500 couple (no hidden fees)
✓ No subscription - one-time payment
✓ Save $27,000+ in probate fees
Questions? Contact us for a free consultation.
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Last Updated: January 2025
Attorney: Eugene Rozsagyene, State Bar #208356
Service Area: California (all counties)
Disclaimer: This article provides general information comparing online living trust services for California residents. Prices and features are subject to change. Consult with an attorney for advice specific to your situation.
