Online wills and trusts done right

An online will or trust is one of the most convenient and affordable ways to start your estate plan.

What is an online will?

A will is a document that describes how your belongings should be distributed after you die. You can also use your will to nominate a guardian for your minor children. You can create a will online by using the Policygenius app, which helps you fill in all the necessary information.

A properly executed online will should be just as valid as one written by an attorney.

What is an online trust?

Like a will, a trust can also be used to distribute your belongings. However, the trust may allow you to have more control over how those belongings are distributed. You can create an online trust by using the Policygenius app to guide you through the process.

When the process is completed, you’ll have a valid legal document forming the trust.

Online wills and trusts basics

Are wills and trusts only for rich people?

No, anyone who wants future financial protection for their loved ones should start a will or trust. The law can get tricky, and you want to make sure your loved ones safely inherit your assets when you’re no longer around.

What is probate?

Probate is the legal process of deciding how your belongings are distributed. If you don’t have a will or trust, then the local court may decide how to distribute your stuff after you die. A will tells the court how you’d like your belongings to be distributed during probate, and assets in a trust may not need to go through probate at all.

Are online wills and trusts valid?

A properly executed online will or trust should hold up in court. That means following all instructions after creating the will, including signing the will and having your witnesses sign your will.

How much does it cost to get a will and trust online?

How much does it cost to get a will?

Online wills are typically more affordable than a will you get from an attorney. Attorneys may charge between $1,000 and $3,000 on average to create your estate plan.

You can use the Policygenius app to create an online will for $120.

How much does it cost to get a trust?

Like with wills, creating a trust online is typically more affordable than going to a lawyer. You can expect to pay thousands of dollars to have a lawyer write up your trust.

You can use the Policygenius app to create an online trust for $280 when you purchase our Plus package. The Plus package also includes a will.

Create a will on Policygenius, starting at just $120

How to make an online will

To make your online will, start by downloading the Policygenius app, which will guide you through the process of creating a will. These are the steps you’ll need to follow to create your will using our app:

Step 1:

Decide who you want to inherit your belongings, who you want to administer your estate, and who you want to become guardian over your kids.

Step 2:

Fill out the will using the Policygenius app. You'll need to provide information like who's in your family, what types of your assets you have, and who’s going to inherit your estate.

Step 3:

Wait to receive the hard copy of your will in the mail.

Step 4:

You and your witnesses need to sign and date the will together. If you’re using a self-proving affidavit, you’ll need to do this in the presence of a notary public.

Step 5:

Keep your will safe. Find a secure location to store the will. Make sure your loved ones know where to find it.

What do people usually put in their will?

You can use your will to give away virtually anything you own outright. Assets like community property or anything you’re not the sole owner of cannot be bequeathed if the other owners are still alive.

However, you may be able to bequeath just your portion of the items you jointly own.

Personal property

Personal property includes most of your individual possessions, like cash and securities, personal items, and other “movable” things.

Real property

Real property includes land, houses, and other types of real estate — virtually anything where the right to own the item is covered by a title.

Remaining items and property

Any item you don’t explicitly name a beneficiary for becomes part of the “residue” of the estate. The residue will be divided up according to the terms of your will.

Nominations of key people

You’ll also use your will to nominate key people to handle your affairs after you’re gone, such as a personal representative (executor) to administer your estate, and a guardian to look after your dependents.

Do I need a trust or a will?

Which is right for me?

Although both trusts and wills allow your assets to be distributed after you die, trusts can sometimes be more complex than wills.

Some people may want one or the other and many people may need both, no matter how large or small their estate may be.

You might need a will if:

You have anything to pass down to your family
You have any dependents who will need guardianship after you die.
You need an estate plan, but you’re on a budget

You might need a trust if:

You want to set specific requirements for your loved ones to receive your property and belongings
You have a larger or more complex estate (but even people with smaller estate plans may still benefit from a trust)
You want to keep the details of your loved ones’ inheritance private

Every state has different requirements for making a will. Learn your state’s requirements by clicking here.