What Is The Best Estate Planning Software For DIY Planning?

Estate planning used to mean scheduling multiple appointments with an attorney, filling out complex legal forms, and spending thousands of dollars before a single document was signed. For many people, that process felt overwhelming, so they kept putting it off.

Today, that’s changed completely. DIY estate planning software has made it possible for anyone to create a legally valid will, trust, or healthcare directive from the comfort of their home, in as little as 30 minutes. No law degree required.

But with so many tools available, how do you know which one is right for you? In this guide, we’ll break down the best estate planning software of 2026, what to look for before choosing one, and how to get started today.

Why DIY Estate Planning Software Is Worth Considering

Hiring an estate planning attorney is still the gold standard, but it comes at a cost. A basic estate plan with an attorney can run anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 or more, depending on the complexity. For many families, that’s a significant barrier.

DIY estate planning software solves this by guiding you through the entire process with simple, step-by-step questions. You don’t need to understand legal language. The software translates your answers into legally valid documents that meet your state’s requirements.

This approach works best for:

• Individuals with straightforward assets and clear wishes
• Young families who need a basic will and guardian designation
• First-time planners who want to get started without a big investment
• People who want documents in place quickly

You may still want an attorney if:

• You own a business or have a complex financial situation
• You have a blended family or complicated beneficiary arrangements
• You own property in multiple states
• Your Estate is high in value with significant tax considerations

Most DIY tools also offer an optional attorney-review add-on, giving you professional oversight without the full cost of hiring an attorney independently.

Read: Estate Planning After Major Life Events

What to Look for in DIY Estate Planning Software

Not all estate planning software is created equal. Before choosing a platform, here’s what you should evaluate:

1. Ease of use: Look for a guided question-and-answer format that doesn’t require legal knowledge.
2. Document coverage: The best tools cover wills, living trusts, power of attorney, and healthcare directives.
3. Legal validity: Make sure the software generates state-specific, legally compliant documents.
4. Security: Your estate documents contain sensitive personal information; choose a platform with strong encryption and secure storage.
5. Cost: Decide between a one-time fee or a subscription model based on your needs.
6. Attorney access: Some platforms offer optional legal consultations for an additional fee.
7. Digital asset planning: A growing necessity; look for tools that help manage online accounts, crypto, and digital property.

Best DIY Estate Planning Software of 2026

Here are the top platforms available today, each suited to slightly different needs:

Trust & Will, Best for Simple, Online Estate Planning

Trust & Will is one of the most popular and highly rated DIY estate planning platforms available. It offers a clean, user-friendly interface that walks you through the process in a simple step-by-step format. 

You can create a complete will-based plan or a trust-based plan, depending on your needs. Plans start at $89 for an individual will, making it one of the more affordable options. It also offers annual membership plans that include unlimited updates, useful as your life circumstances change. 

Trust & Will is fully state-specific, meaning the documents generated are tailored to your state’s legal requirements.

LegalZoom, Best for Individuals and First-Time Planners

LegalZoom is one of the most recognized names in online legal services. Their estate planning tool guides you through the process in about 15 minutes and generates a will, power of attorney, and healthcare directive. 

One of its strongest features is the option to connect with a licensed attorney for a review of your documents, giving DIY planners an extra layer of assurance. LegalZoom is a great starting point for people who want a trusted, established platform for estate planning.

Quicken WillMaker & Trust , Best All-in-One Downloadable Software

For those who prefer working offline, Quicken WillMaker & Trust is an excellent choice. It’s available as both a desktop download and an online version and covers a wide range of documents, including wills, living trusts, healthcare directives, and financial power of attorney. 

It comes with a comprehensive legal guide that explains each section in plain language, making it ideal for people who want to understand what they’re creating, not just fill in the blanks.

GoodTrust, Best for Digital Estate Planning

GoodTrust stands out from other platforms because of its focus on digital assets. Beyond standard estate documents, it helps you manage what happens to your social media accounts, email, online subscriptions, cryptocurrency, and other digital property after you die. 

The platform uses a fill-in-the-blank format that most users can complete in about 20 minutes. If you have a significant online presence or digital assets, GoodTrust is worth serious consideration.

Willful, Best Entry-Level Option

Willful is a straightforward, budget-friendly platform for people who need a basic estate plan without extra complexity. It covers wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives at an affordable price point. It’s particularly well-suited for younger adults just beginning their estate planning journey who want something simple, fast, and legally valid.

Ethos, Best for Combining Estate Planning with Life Insurance

Ethos is unique in that it pairs estate planning documents with life insurance coverage. If you’re looking to protect your family financially while also putting legal documents in place, Ethos offers both in one streamlined experience. It’s ideal for parents of young children who want comprehensive protection beyond just legal paperwork.

Read: Beneficiary Designation: Silent Estate Planning Risks and Quick Fixes

Software Comparison at a Glance

Software	Best For	Key Documents	Starting Price	Attorney Access	Digital Assets
Trust & Will	Simple online planning	Will, Trust, POA	$89	Yes (add-on)	Limited
LegalZoom	First-time planners	Will, POA, Healthcare	$89	Yes (included)	Limited
Quicken WillMaker	All-in-one offline use	Will, Trust, Healthcare	$99	No	No
GoodTrust	Digital asset planning	Will, POA, Digital Assets	$79	No	Yes
Willful	Entry-level basic plan	Will, POA, Healthcare	$99	No	No
Ethos	Estate + Life Insurance	Will, Insurance	Varies	No	No

Step-by-Step: How DIY Estate Planning Software Works

Using any of these platforms follows a similar process:

1. Create an account and select your plan type, will-based or trust-based
2. Answer guided questions about your assets, family structure, and final wishes
3. Name key people, beneficiaries, trustees, guardians for minor children, and your executor
4. Review your documents; the software generates them automatically based on your answers
5. Sign and notarize, follow your state’s specific requirements for signing and witnessing
6. Store securely, save digitally on the platform, and keep printed copies in a safe place
7. Update when needed, revisit your plan after major life events like marriage, divorce, or a new child

Limitations of DIY Estate Planning Software

While these tools are powerful, they do have limitations worth knowing:

• They work best for straightforward estates; complex situations need personalized legal advice
• Template-based documents may not fully cover multi-state property ownership
• Blended families and business succession require more nuanced planning than software can provide
• Errors from incorrectly answered questions can create legal issues down the line
• Some platforms may not stay fully updated with every state law change
• When in doubt, always have an attorney review your completed documents

Conclusion

Estate planning has finally caught up with the rest of your financial life. What once required expensive attorney visits and weeks of back-and-forth paperwork can now be done from your phone, in under an hour, without a single office appointment. That shift is exactly what GoodTrust was built for and why their partnership with Beem makes so much sense.

GoodTrust isn’t just a document generator. It’s a complete Smart Estate Planning solution, including wills, trusts, healthcare directives, power of attorney, guardian naming, pet plans, and a Digital Vault that secures your online accounts and digital assets alongside your physical ones. 

Everything is attorney-approved across all 50 states, with unlimited updates so your plan grows as your life does. For Beem members, this isn’t an upsell or an add-on — it’s a core benefit built directly into the app you already use to manage your financial life.

That’s the real shift here. Beem is redefining what financial wellness actually means, going beyond budgeting and income tracking to include long-term family protection because managing your money today without protecting it for tomorrow is only half a plan.

A basic will created today is infinitely better than a perfect plan that never gets made. If you’re a Beem member, you already have everything you need to get started. Set aside 30 minutes, open GoodTrust through Beem, and take that first step toward protecting your family’s future — because the only thing standing between your family and a real estate plan is deciding to begin. Download the app now!

FAQs: What Is The Best Estate Planning Software For DIY Planning?