LegalZoom Living Trust Cost: 2025 Price Breakdown

How much does LegalZoom charge for a living trust in 2025? LegalZoom living trust costs range from $399 to $649 depending on whether you need a trust for one person or a couple, and whether you want attorney review included. This comprehensive breakdown reveals what you actually get at each price point—and why the $399 "Basic" plan may not be the deal it appears to be.

LegalZoom Living Trust Pricing Tiers 2025

LegalZoom offers two main living trust packages. The critical difference? Attorney review is only included in the Premium plan.

For Individuals:

For Couples:

What's Included in LegalZoom's Basic Trust ($399)

The Basic Trust package is LegalZoom's entry-level option. While it includes several documents, the critical limitation is that no attorney ever reviews your trust. Everything is generated by software using generic templates designed for all 50 states.

• Revocable living trust document — Software-generated using your questionnaire answers
• Pour-over will — Catches assets not transferred to your trust
• Financial power of attorney — Allows someone to manage finances if you're incapacitated
• Healthcare directive — Specifies medical treatment preferences
• HIPAA authorization — Allows access to your medical records
• Certificate of trust — Summary document for financial institutions
• Property schedule — List of assets to transfer to trust
• NO attorney review — Documents are software-generated only
• NO personalized legal advice — Cannot answer legal questions
• 30-day revision window — Changes after 30 days cost extra

What's Included in LegalZoom's Premium Trust ($549)

The Premium Trust adds attorney involvement, which is the primary reason for the $150 price increase. For California families, this is the minimum level of service you should consider—though it still uses the same generic templates as the Basic plan.

• Everything in Basic Trust — All documents listed above
• ✓ Attorney review of documents — A licensed attorney checks your completed trust
• ✓ 30-minute attorney consultation — Phone call to discuss your estate plan
• ✓ Priority processing — Faster turnaround time
• ✓ One year of free revisions — Changes within first year at no extra cost

The Premium plan provides valuable attorney oversight, but the underlying documents are still generated from 50-state templates. The attorney reviews what the software created—they don't draft custom documents for your California-specific situation.

Hidden Costs Many People Miss

LegalZoom's advertised prices don't tell the whole story. Many customers are surprised by additional costs they encounter during checkout or after purchase. Here's what the headline price doesn't include:

Real Customer Experiences with LegalZoom

We reviewed hundreds of customer reviews across BBB, Trustpilot, and Google to understand common experiences. Here are the patterns we found:

What Customers Like:

• Convenience — Easy to complete from home at your own pace
• Brand recognition — Established company with national advertising
• Document delivery — Professional-looking printed documents

Common Complaints:

• "The trust wasn't funded" — Many customers didn't realize they needed to transfer assets after receiving documents
• "Generic templates" — Documents used boilerplate language that didn't address their specific state's requirements
• "Upsells at checkout" — Aggressive marketing of add-ons and annual subscriptions
• "Couldn't get legal advice" — Even with Premium, detailed legal questions went unanswered
• "Had to redo it with a local attorney" — Several reviews mentioned paying an attorney to fix issues

LegalZoom vs. Living Trust California: Price Comparison

Here's how LegalZoom's pricing compares to our California-focused service:

Why Attorney Review Matters for California Trusts

Software can generate legal documents, but it can't understand the nuances of California estate planning law. Here's why attorney involvement is critical for California families:

1. Community Property State Rules

California is one of only 9 community property states. This fundamentally changes how married couples should structure their trusts. Generic templates designed for common law states often mishandle community property characterization, which can trigger unintended tax consequences or probate issues when one spouse dies.

2. Proposition 13 and 19 Implications

California's property tax system is unique. Prop 13 caps property tax increases, but improper trust transfers can trigger reassessment—costing families tens of thousands of dollars annually. Prop 19 (2021) changed parent-child exclusion rules. An attorney ensures your trust language preserves these valuable tax benefits.

3. Trust Funding Guidance

Creating a trust document is only half the job. Your assets must be properly transferred (funded) into the trust. This requires retitling your home, updating bank account ownership, and ensuring beneficiary designations align with your trust. Software can't guide you through this process—an attorney can.

4. Execution Requirements

California has specific requirements for trust execution. Mistakes in notarization or witness requirements can invalidate your trust. An attorney ensures proper execution the first time.

• Catch California-specific issues — Generic templates miss crucial state law requirements
• Handle community property correctly — Proper characterization avoids probate and tax issues
• Address Prop 13/19 implications — Property tax reassessment can cost tens of thousands
• Guide trust funding — An unfunded trust is worthless; assets must transfer properly
• Spot execution errors — One mistake in signing can invalidate the entire trust
• Answer legal questions — Software can't explain your options; an attorney can

Is LegalZoom Worth It for a Living Trust?

When LegalZoom Basic might work:

• Very simple estate with no California real estate
• Single person with minimal assets
• You're comfortable without any attorney oversight
• You understand California probate law yourself

When you need attorney review:

• You own California real estate (most homeowners)
• You have minor children
• You're married or in a domestic partnership
• You have blended family situations
• You own a business or rental properties
• Your estate is worth more than $200,000

Frequently Asked Questions About LegalZoom Trust Costs