Avoid probate court with a living trust

Keep your assets with your family and out of the courts. Create your living trust simply and affordably—whether that's on your own, or with help from estate planning attorneys in our network. Living trusts start at $279.

Why use LegalZoom to set up your living trust?

Easy & convenient

Direct how your assets pass to your beneficiaries and help your family avoid probate court.

Accepted in all 50 states

Enjoy peace of mind knowing our living trusts were created by experienced attorneys, and have been accepted in all 50 states.

Attorney-supported

Access guidance from highly-rated, vetted attorneys from our network, who can help you create the trust you want.

Priced according to your needs

Do it yourself

Basic
Living Trust

$279

Get a personalized living trust using our online questionnaire.

Get started
dark skin attorney with a black suit and dark hair

Attorney Assist

Adeel, 4.8/5 star rating

Comprehensive
Living Trust

$299

Get a living trust—plus, legal advice for 2 weeks after purchase.

Get started
dark skin attorney with a black suit and dark hair

Attorney Assist

Adeel, 4.8/5 star rating
BEST VALUE

Estate Plan
Bundle

$399

Save $150+

Get 3 essential estate planning documents, including living trust—plus, legal advice for 1 year.

Get started
Brunette man and woman walking outside wearing white t-shirts.The woman is carrying a tree sapling that is going to be replanted for the nonprofit that they started with LegalZoom.

Set up your living trust with LegalZoom in 3 simple steps

We make it easy to create your living trust in just a few simple steps. Plus, attorneys are ready to answer your questions and guide you through the estate planning process. 
Answer some questions and we'll create your living trust
Review with an estate planning attorney or on your own
Fund your living trust
See examples of

Why create a living trust?

Living trusts are a way to distribute your assets and provide for your beneficiaries while keeping loved ones out of probate court. Revocable living trusts allow you to change your terms if you change your mind. You can:

Keep family out of probate court

Spare your loved ones from the expenses and delays that may result from the probate process. Avoid multistate probate if you own real estate in another state.

Protect your privacy

Keep your personal matters—and assets—private with a trust. Probate court records are public records, which means that anyone can access your will.

Avoid bank delays

Help ensure your assets are accessible to your loved ones with less interruption after your death. With a living trust, a trustee can typically access assets and handle affairs more quickly than with a will.

Older man with gray hair working as a volunteer planting trees with a woman with red hair wearing a volunteer shirt working for a nonprofit organization that was formed with LegalZoom.

What’s a living trust?

A living trust is a legal document that states who you want to manage your affairs after your death or if you’re unable due to disability. It also states who receives your assets when you pass away.

Once you sign and transfer your assets to the trust it’s considered effective and can be managed by you as the trustee. You can use the trust assets in the same way you did before creating the living trust. When you can no longer act as trustee, the successor trustee that you name takes over and uses the trust assets for your lifetime benefit. After you pass away, the successor trustee distributes your assets to your beneficiaries without going through probate court.

The living trust cost is higher than some other estate planning documents, but it can be worth it if it meets your needs. You can always consult with a living trust attorney for guidance. 

What’s the difference between a living trust and a last will?

While both types of legal documents let you designate who gets your property and assets after your death, there are major differences. If you’re unsure whether a living trust or last will would work best for you, schedule a call with an estate planning attorney.

Living trust

  • Spells out how your assets will be managed and distributed if you’re incapacitated and after your death
  • Can cost more and requires more upkeep
  • Lets loved ones avoid the probate process
  • Provides privacy—it’s not part of public record

Last will

  • Puts a plan in place for distributing your assets after your death
  • Usually costs less and easier to set up
  • Requires that loved ones go through the probate process
  • Becomes part of the public record when it goes through probate court

Ready to start your living trust?

Start my living trust

What are the disadvantages of a living trust?

Having a living trust as part of your estate plan has many advantages—but it does take more effort to set up. Here are some reasons you might not want a living trust:

Costs more than a will

It’s more expensive to set up a living trust—including revocable living trusts and irrevocable trusts—than a last will.

Needs funding and title transfers

If you die without funding your living trust, your estate will be subject to the probate process. For assets where you own the title—like real estate—you must legally transfer ownership to the trust.

Requires more paperwork

It takes more time and paperwork to set up and fund a living trust than a will. Living trusts also require more ongoing maintenance since they need to be updated as your assets change.

Ready to start your living trust?

Start my living trust

Frequently asked questions

Ready to start your living trust?

Start my living trust

What our customers are saying

The explanation about the [pros and cons] of having a living trust instead of a will was great and made the process simple.
Ryan S., living trust customer
I'm stunned at the precision and ... quality of the end product ... There's a reason why they're No. 1...
Teddy F., living trust customer
The process was fast, easy, and met my needs. The final product I received in the mail was spectacular! It exceeded my expectations!
Barbara F., living trust customer

Questions?

Ask an attorney

Get the right guidance with an attorney by your side.

Call an agent at (866) 679-1568

Mon–Fri: 5 a.m.–7 p.m. PT
Weekends: 7 a.m.–4 p.m. PT

#1 choice for online estate plans: Based on a February 2021 survey of consumers who used an online legal service for setting up an estate plan.
#1 brand for online estate plans: Based on responses to a February 2021 survey asking consumers about brand awareness for online legal services for estate planning. The survey was completed by consumers that had previously done estate planning or intended to do estate planning.
†Telephone consultations with a participating firm, during normal business hours, of up to one half (1/2) hour each, limited to one consultation for each new legal matter. Excludes business-related matters. Limit one Legal Assist Plan per estate plan. After the 14-day period, your card will automatically be charged $25 and the Legal Assist Plan renews automatically each month at a rate of $25/month. Renewal rate is subject to change. You can cancel online or by calling. Attorney services are fulfilled through Legal Advantage Plus. For full details, see the Legal Plan Contract and Subscription Terms.
‡Telephone consultations with a participating firm, during normal business hours, of up to one half (1/2) hour each, limited to one consultation for each new legal matter. Excludes business-related matters. Limit one Legal Assist Plan per estate plan. Benefits to the Legal Assist Plan continue automatically for $199 per year. You can cancel online or by calling. Attorney services are fulfilled through Legal Advantage Plus. For full details, see the Legal Plan Contract and Subscription Terms.
ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT: Attorneys advertised on this site are independent attorneys. in your area who's responsible for this advertisement. LegalZoom.com, Inc. is not an "attorney referral service" or a law firm. The information you provide to LegalZoom is not protected by attorney-client privilege. about this advertisement if you live in Alabama, Missouri, or New York.