Before you choose LegalZoom or Trust & Will for your California estate plan, you need to understand a critical legal distinction: there is a massive difference between a "Legal Document Assistant" and a "Law Firm" under California law.
This comparison guide exposes the gaps in national document services and explains why attorney review isn't a luxury upsell - it's the difference between a trust that works and one that fails when your family needs it most.
The Bottom Line
LegalZoom & Trust & Will are document preparation services (Legal Document Assistants). They cannot provide legal advice.
Living Trust California is a Law Firm. Attorney Rozsa Gyene (Bar #208356) reviews every plan and provides actual legal guidance - included in your flat fee.
1. The Legal Reality: Document Assistants vs. Law Firms
In California, there is a massive legal difference between a Legal Document Assistant (LDA) and a Law Firm.
LegalZoom & Trust & Will: Legal Document Assistants
Under CA Business & Professions Code Section 6400, Legal Document Assistants are strictly prohibited from:
- Providing legal advice
- Selecting your forms for you
- Reviewing your specific life facts to provide a recommendation
- Telling you which documents you need
They can only "print forms" - they cannot ensure those forms will actually work for your situation.
Living Trust California: A California Law Firm
Because Attorney Rozsa Gyene (Bar #208356) reviews every plan, we provide:
- Actual Legal Advice - not just form-filling
- Personalized Review - your specific situation is analyzed
- Legal Sufficiency - your trust will withstand a challenge in California court
- Professional Liability - we stand behind our work
We don't just "print forms" - we ensure your trust is legally sufficient to protect your family.
2. The Cost Trap: National Pricing vs. The Law Firm Reality
National sites use a "Base + Upsell" model that often ends up costing more for less protection.
| Service | Advertised Price | Attorney Review | Real Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| LegalZoom | $279-$599 | +$199-$299 (optional) | $478-$898 |
| Trust & Will | $499-$699 | +$169+ (optional) | $668-$868+ |
| Living Trust CA | $400-$500 | INCLUDED | $400-$500 |
The Hidden Cost of "Cheap"
That $279 LegalZoom trust looks affordable until you realize:
- Attorney review costs an extra $199-$299
- Updates cost $149 each
- If the trust fails at probate, your family pays $27,000-$68,000+ in fees
The "cheapest" option often becomes the most expensive when it matters most.
3. Why "50-State Templates" Fail in California
National competitors use generic templates designed to pass "most" state laws. California is unique. If your "national" trust doesn't account for these California-specific issues, your heirs will end up at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse anyway:
The Prop 19 Oversight
If your trust isn't structured to handle the new parent-child exclusion rules under Proposition 19, your children could see their property taxes quadruple the moment you pass away. National templates often miss this California-specific provision.
Community Property Nuance
California is one of only 9 community property states. Generic software often fails to correctly characterize separate vs. community assets, leading to accidental disinheritance or massive capital gains taxes for surviving spouses.
The Funding Gap
Most national sites give you a document but don't help you record the Grant Deed. A trust document without a recorded deed is useless for real estate.
We provide the specific PCOR forms and county-specific instructions for all 58 California counties. If the deed isn't recorded, your house still goes through probate - defeating the entire purpose of the trust.
4. What You Actually Get: Feature Comparison
| Feature | LegalZoom | Trust & Will | Living Trust CA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type of Service | Document Assistant | Document Assistant | Law Firm |
| Attorney Review | +$199-$299 | +$169+ | Included |
| Can Provide Legal Advice | No | No | Yes |
| Professional Liability | No | No | Yes |
| California-Specific | 50-state generic | 50-state generic | 100% California |
| Prop 19 Provisions | Generic | Generic | Optimized |
| County Deed Instructions | Generic | Generic | All 58 Counties |
| Direct Attorney Access | Extra fee | Extra fee | Included |
Ready for Real Legal Protection?
Get a California living trust reviewed by Attorney Rozsa Gyene (Bar #208356) - attorney review included in our $400-$500 flat fee. No hidden upsells.
Create Your Trust NowQuestions? Call (818) 291-6217
5. The Verdict: Why Attorney Review Saves You $199+
When you choose Living Trust California over LegalZoom or Trust & Will, you're not just saving money on attorney review fees. You're getting:
- Actual legal advice - not just form-filling software
- California-specific expertise - not generic 50-state templates
- Professional liability - we stand behind our work
- Proper funding guidance - so your trust actually works
- Peace of mind - knowing a real California attorney reviewed your plan
The national document services advertise low prices, but when you add attorney review (which you need for real protection), they cost the same or more than our all-inclusive packages.
Why pay extra for attorney review when you can get it included?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is LegalZoom a law firm in California?
No, LegalZoom is not a law firm. It is a Legal Document Assistant service. Under California law, they cannot provide legal advice, select forms for you, or review your specific situation to make recommendations. Living Trust California is an actual California Law Firm (Bar #208356), meaning we provide attorney review and legal guidance included in our flat-fee packages.
What is a Legal Document Assistant in California?
Under CA Business & Professions Code Section 6400, a Legal Document Assistant (LDA) is a non-attorney who helps people complete legal forms. LDAs are strictly prohibited from providing legal advice, selecting forms for you, or reviewing your specific situation to make recommendations. Both LegalZoom and Trust & Will operate as LDAs, not law firms.
Why does attorney review matter for a California living trust?
Attorney review ensures your trust is legally sufficient to withstand a challenge in California court. Generic templates from 50-state services may miss California-specific requirements like Prop 19 property tax rules, community property characterization, and proper deed recording procedures. A California attorney catches these issues before they become expensive problems for your heirs - potentially saving them $27,000-$68,000+ in probate costs.
How much does attorney review cost with LegalZoom vs. Living Trust CA?
LegalZoom charges $199-$299 extra for attorney review on top of their base price ($279-$599). Trust & Will charges $169+ for attorney access. Living Trust California includes attorney review by Attorney Rozsa Gyene (Bar #208356) in our $400-$500 flat fee - no hidden upsells. This alone saves you $199 compared to national competitors.
