Looking for a complete California estate planning package with both a living trust and will? Smart move. While a living trust handles most of your estate, you absolutely need a will (specifically a pour-over will) as a backup for any assets you forget to put in your trust.
In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn why you need both documents, what's included in a complete trust and will package, pricing options from free to premium, and how to choose the best package for your California estate.
✅ Why You Need Both Documents
Living trust: Avoids probate, maintains privacy, handles your major assets (home, accounts, investments)
Pour-over will: Catches anything you forgot to put in the trust, names guardians for minor children, provides backup protection
Bottom line: A trust without a will is incomplete estate planning. A complete package gives you full protection.
What's Included in a Complete Trust & Will Package?
A comprehensive California estate planning package should include these 8 essential documents:
1. Revocable Living Trust
The main document that holds your assets, avoids probate, and directs distribution to beneficiaries. Includes California community property provisions and all required state-specific language.
2. Pour-Over Will
Essential backup that "pours" any forgotten assets into your trust after death. Also names guardians for minor children and provides final wishes instructions.
3. Certificate of Trust
2-3 page summary proving your trust exists without revealing private details. Used when opening bank accounts or transferring investments into the trust.
4. Assignment of Personal Property
Transfers miscellaneous personal property (furniture, jewelry, collectibles) into the trust without listing each item individually.
5. Healthcare Directive (Advance Healthcare Directive)
Names your healthcare agent and provides medical treatment preferences if you become incapacitated. Required in California hospitals and care facilities.
6. Financial Power of Attorney (Durable POA)
Authorizes someone to manage your finances if you become unable to do so. Covers banking, investing, tax filings, and property management.
7. Asset Transfer Guide
Step-by-step instructions for funding your trust — transferring real estate, bank accounts, investments, and other assets. The most critical part most people overlook.
8. Deed Transfer Documents (If Applicable)
Grant deed or quitclaim deed templates for transferring California real estate into your trust. Includes Prop 19 exemption forms to avoid property tax reassessment.
⚠️ Beware of Incomplete Packages
Some services advertise "living trust packages" but only include items #1 and #3. You're not getting a complete estate plan without a pour-over will (#2), healthcare directive (#5), and financial POA (#6). Always check exactly what's included before purchasing.
Why You Need Both a Trust AND a Will
Many people ask: "If I have a living trust, why do I need a will?" Here's why both are essential:
What Your Living Trust Does:
- ✅ Holds and manages your major assets (home, accounts, investments)
- ✅ Avoids probate for assets inside the trust
- ✅ Maintains privacy (not public record)
- ✅ Provides management if you become incapacitated
- ✅ Directs asset distribution to beneficiaries
What Your Trust CANNOT Do (But a Will Can):
- ❌ Catch assets you forgot to put in the trust
- ❌ Name guardians for minor children
- ❌ Handle assets acquired right before death
- ❌ Distribute personal items with sentimental value
- ❌ Provide funeral and burial instructions
What Your Pour-Over Will Does:
- ✅ Acts as safety net for forgotten assets
- ✅ Names guardians for minor children (ONLY wills can do this)
- ✅ Provides backup instructions
- ✅ Handles assets you acquire shortly before death
- ✅ Gives peace of mind that nothing falls through the cracks
💡 Real-World Example: Why You Need Both
Maria had a living trust and carefully transferred her home, bank accounts, and investments into it. But three weeks before she died, she inherited $30,000 from her sister. She never got around to transferring it into her trust.
Without a pour-over will: That $30,000 goes through probate, costing $3,000-5,000 in fees.
With a pour-over will: The will automatically "pours" that $30,000 into her trust, and it's distributed according to her trust instructions with minimal cost and hassle.
Cost of the will: $0-100 extra. Savings: $3,000-5,000.
Complete Package Pricing: What to Expect
| Package Type | What's Included | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY Free Forms | Trust document only (usually) Must find will separately |
$0-50 (notary fees) |
Very simple estates under $100K |
| Legal Software | Trust, will, healthcare docs, POA (Quicken WillMaker, etc.) |
$119/year | Tech-savvy users who want control |
| Online Services (Budget) | Trust + will purchased separately (LegalZoom, etc.) |
$378-450 ($279 trust + $99 will) |
Tight budgets, simple estates |
| Online Services (Complete) | Everything included (Trust & Will, Living Trust CA) |
$400-600 | Most California residents |
| Traditional Attorney | Custom trust + will + all docs Personalized advice |
$2,500-5,000+ | Complex estates, business owners |
Best Living Trust & Will Packages for California (2025)
🏆 Living Trust CA — Best Value
What's Included:
- ✅ California revocable living trust
- ✅ Pour-over will (included!)
- ✅ Healthcare directive
- ✅ Financial power of attorney
- ✅ Certificate of trust
- ✅ Assignment of personal property
- ✅ Comprehensive asset transfer guide
- ✅ Deed transfer templates & instructions
- ✅ Optional attorney review ($99-200)
Why It's Best:
- 100% California-focused (not generic 50-state forms)
- Complete package with all essential documents
- Mid-range pricing with premium features
- Deep expertise in California estate law
- Includes Prop 19, AB 139, and all CA-specific provisions
Best for: California residents who want complete estate planning with expert guidance at a reasonable price
See Pricing Options →Trust & Will — Best User Experience
What's Included:
- ✅ Living trust
- ✅ Pour-over will
- ✅ Healthcare directive
- ✅ Financial POA
- ✅ All supporting documents
- ✅ Unlimited updates first year
- ✅ Premium customer support (chat, phone, email)
Why It's Great:
- Modern, intuitive interface
- Free updates for a year (huge value)
- Excellent customer reviews (4.7/5)
- Fast completion time (30-60 minutes)
Best for: People who value ease of use and want ongoing update flexibility
LegalZoom — Lowest Base Price (But Watch Add-Ons)
($279 trust + $99 will minimum)
What's Included at Base Price:
- ✅ Living trust document
- ✅ Pour-over will (must add separately)
- ✅ Certificate of trust
- ❌ Healthcare directive (add $39)
- ❌ Financial POA (add $39)
- ❌ Future updates ($149 each)
Real Total Cost: $456-527 for complete package with healthcare docs
Why Consider It:
- Most established brand (since 2001)
- Lowest advertised price (though add-ons increase it)
- Good if you want à la carte options
Downsides:
- Expensive updates ($149 each)
- Hidden costs add up
- Lower customer satisfaction (3.8/5)
Best for: Budget-conscious users who definitely won't need updates
Quicken WillMaker — Best for Multiple Changes
What's Included:
- ✅ Unlimited trusts and wills
- ✅ Healthcare directives
- ✅ Financial POAs
- ✅ Executor documents
- ✅ All 50 states supported
- ✅ Unlimited changes anytime
Why It's Great:
- One-time annual fee
- Works offline (download software)
- More control and customization
- Can create trusts for multiple family members
Downsides:
- Steeper learning curve
- Must install software (Mac/PC)
- Less hand-holding than online services
Best for: Tech-savvy users, people creating documents for multiple family members, estate planning professionals
Complete vs. Piecemeal: Why Packages Save Money
You might be tempted to buy just a trust and skip the other documents to save money. Here's why that's penny-wise but pound-foolish:
Buying Separately (Piecemeal)
| Document | Cost If Purchased Separately |
|---|---|
| Living Trust | $279-500 |
| Pour-Over Will | $99-150 |
| Healthcare Directive | $39-89 |
| Financial POA | $39-89 |
| Asset Transfer Guide | $49-99 (if available) |
| TOTAL | $505-927 |
Buying Complete Package
| Service | Package Price | Savings vs. Piecemeal |
|---|---|---|
| Living Trust CA | $400-500 | $105-427 |
| Trust & Will | $499-599 | $6-328 |
| LegalZoom (complete) | $456 | $49-471 |
Bottom line: Complete packages cost less than buying documents separately and ensure everything works together properly.
What to Look for in a Quality Package
Not all "complete estate planning packages" are created equal. Here's what to verify before purchasing:
✅ Essential Features Checklist
California-Specific Provisions
- ☐ Community property language (for married couples)
- ☐ Proposition 19 compliance (property tax transfers)
- ☐ AB 139 compliance (2025 small estate updates)
- ☐ California Probate Code references
- ☐ State-specific trustee powers
Complete Document Set
- ☐ Revocable living trust
- ☐ Pour-over will (not sold separately)
- ☐ Healthcare directive
- ☐ Financial power of attorney
- ☐ Certificate of trust
- ☐ Assignment of personal property
Funding Support
- ☐ Detailed asset transfer instructions
- ☐ Deed transfer templates (if you own real estate)
- ☐ Bank transfer letter templates
- ☐ Investment account transfer guidance
- ☐ Step-by-step checklist
Support & Updates
- ☐ Customer support (phone, email, or chat)
- ☐ Attorney review option available
- ☐ Clear amendment process
- ☐ Reasonable update fees (or free first year)
- ☐ Knowledge base / FAQ resources
Legal Protection
- ☐ Attorney-reviewed templates
- ☐ Current with 2025 California law
- ☐ Clear execution instructions (signing, notarizing)
- ☐ Money-back guarantee offered
Trust & Will Package vs. Individual Documents
Some people ask: "Can't I just use a simple will instead of a whole trust and will package?" Here's the comparison:
Will-Only Estate Plan
Cost: $100-300 for will only
What happens when you die:
- ❌ All assets go through probate (public process)
- ❌ 6-18 months before distribution
- ❌ $15,000-50,000+ in probate costs (California)
- ❌ Public record (anyone can see what you owned)
- ❌ Court supervision required
Trust & Will Package
Cost: $400-600 for complete package
What happens when you die:
- ✅ No probate for trust assets
- ✅ Distribution in days/weeks (not months)
- ✅ Costs under $1,000 in most cases
- ✅ Completely private
- ✅ No court involvement
- ✅ Pour-over will catches anything missed
ROI Analysis:
- Extra cost for trust package: $300-400 more than will-only
- Savings from avoiding probate: $15,000-50,000+
- Return on investment: 3,750% to 12,500%
✅ The Math is Clear
Spending an extra $400 on a complete trust and will package saves your family $15,000-50,000+ in probate costs. It's one of the best financial decisions you can make.
How to Use Your Trust & Will Package
Once you've purchased a complete package, follow these steps:
Phase 1: Create Your Documents (1-2 Hours)
- Complete the guided interview (online services) or fill out forms
- Review all documents carefully
- Make any necessary edits
- Print final versions
Phase 2: Execute Properly (1 Hour)
- Trust & Will: Sign in front of notary (required for real estate funding)
- Healthcare Directive: Sign in front of two witnesses OR notary
- Financial POA: Sign and notarize
- Make 3-5 certified copies of everything
Phase 3: Fund Your Trust (2-4 Hours Over 4 Weeks)
- Week 1: Prepare and record real estate deeds
- Week 2: Visit banks with certified trust copies
- Week 3: Contact brokerage/investment firms
- Week 4: Complete assignment of personal property
Phase 4: Store and Communicate (30 Minutes)
- Store originals in fireproof safe or safe deposit box
- Give copies to successor trustee
- Give healthcare directive to doctor and family
- Keep digital backup (scanned PDFs) in secure cloud storage
Phase 5: Maintain (Ongoing)
- Review annually or after major life events
- Update as needed (births, deaths, marriages, divorces)
- Add new assets to trust as you acquire them
Get Your Complete California Trust & Will Package
Stop piecing together documents from different sources. Get everything you need in one complete, attorney-reviewed package.
Includes: Living trust, pour-over will, healthcare directive, financial POA, certificate of trust, funding guide, and deed templates.
Start Your Package — $40030-day guarantee • Complete in 30-90 minutes • All California requirements included
Related Resources
- Affordable Living Trust California: Cheap Options (2025)
- DIY Living Trust California: Complete Guide + Forms
- LegalZoom vs Trust & Will: Which is Better?
- Pour-Over Will California: What You Need to Know
Frequently Asked Questions
A complete California trust and will package should include: (1) Revocable living trust, (2) Pour-over will, (3) Certificate of trust, (4) Assignment of personal property, (5) Healthcare directive, (6) Financial power of attorney, (7) Asset transfer guide, and (8) Deed transfer templates if you own real estate. Some services sell these separately; look for packages that include everything.
Your living trust only controls assets you put into it. A pour-over will acts as a safety net, catching any assets you forget to transfer (like accounts opened shortly before death or unexpected inheritances). The will also names guardians for minor children — something a trust cannot do. Without both documents, forgotten assets go through probate, defeating the purpose of your trust.
Pricing ranges:
- Free DIY: $0-50 (but incomplete and risky)
- Online services: $400-600 (complete package)
- Traditional attorney: $2,500-5,000+
For most California residents, online services ($400-600) offer the best balance of quality, completeness, and affordability.
Yes, but it's not recommended. Some services (like LegalZoom) sell trusts and wills separately, which can seem cheaper upfront but leaves you with incomplete protection. A trust without a will means forgotten assets go through probate, and you can't name guardians for minor children. Always get a complete package that includes both documents — it's usually only $100 more and provides essential backup protection.
Best overall: Living Trust CA ($400-500) — California-specific, complete package, best value
Best user experience: Trust & Will ($499-599) — modern interface, free updates first year
Best for budget: LegalZoom ($378+ with will) — lowest base price, established brand
Best for flexibility: Quicken WillMaker ($119/year) — unlimited changes, download software
Packages are almost always cheaper. Buying separately typically costs $505-927 total (trust $279-500, will $99-150, healthcare $39-89, POA $39-89, guides $49-99). Complete packages cost $400-600, saving you $100-400+ while ensuring all documents work together properly. Always buy the complete package if available.
Yes, if they're California-specific. Quality online services create legally valid trusts and wills that comply with California law, include community property provisions, and incorporate Prop 19/AB 139 requirements. The key is choosing a service that specializes in California (like Living Trust CA) or explicitly states California compliance. Avoid generic 50-state forms that lack California-specific language.
Document creation: 30-90 minutes with online services, 3-5 hours with DIY forms
Signing/notarizing: 1 hour
Funding your trust: 2-4 hours spread over 4 weeks
Total active time: 4-7 hours over 1 month. With online services, you can complete the initial setup in under an hour and spread the funding process over several weeks.
Yes, through amendments or restatements. Revocable trusts and wills can be changed anytime while you're alive and mentally competent. Update costs vary: Trust & Will offers free updates first year, LegalZoom charges $149 per update, Quicken WillMaker allows unlimited changes. Plan to update after: marriages, divorces, births, deaths, significant asset changes, or moves to different states.
These terms are often used interchangeably, but technically:
Trust package: Usually means trust + pour-over will + certificate of trust
Estate planning package: More comprehensive — includes trust, will, healthcare directive, financial POA, and all supporting documents
Always check what's included. A complete estate planning package gives you full protection for all situations.
Ready to Get Your Complete California Estate Plan?
Don't leave your family unprotected. Get a complete living trust and will package with everything you need for total peace of mind.
Get Started Now✅ Living trust ✅ Pour-over will ✅ Healthcare directive ✅ Financial POA ✅ All supporting documents
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about California living trust and will packages and should not be considered legal advice. For personalized guidance on your specific situation, consult with a California estate planning attorney.