If you’ve seen ads promising to help you “make a will in 15 minutes,” you’re not alone.
The appeal is obvious: it looks modern, simple, and affordable — a quick way to check estate planning off your list without stepping into a lawyer’s office.
And to their credit, these online platforms have opened the door for many families who might not have started planning otherwise. They’ve made the process seem less intimidating and more attainable.
But there’s a big difference between filling out forms and building a plan that actually works.
Where the Online Version Falls Short
No Real Planning Behind the Paperwork
A website can collect your answers, but it can’t understand your family. It can’t ask how you want to protect a child with special needs, whether to equalize gifts between children from different marriages, or how to prevent an Alabama beach condo from being tied up in out-of-state probate.
Those are the conversations that turn documents into a true plan.
No One Standing Behind It
Most document-prep companies make their limitations clear in the fine print.
For example, Trust & Will’s own Terms of Service state:
“Trust & Will is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. The materials and services are not substitutes for the advice of an attorney.”¹
They also explain that their review process checks for things like names and addresses, not legal accuracy, compliance with state or federal law, tax analysis, or appropriateness for your situation.
In other words, you’re on your own if something goes wrong later — and your family could be left untangling it.
No Follow-Through
Even the best-drafted trust won’t protect anything unless it’s funded — meaning your assets are properly titled and connected to the trust. Online platforms rarely include that step. Without it, the plan looks complete on paper but fails when it’s needed most.
No Ongoing Support
Life changes. So do laws. Unless you’re tracking those changes yourself, your documents can quietly become outdated. And if something happens — an illness, a death, or a family dispute — there’s no built-in guide to walk your loved ones through what comes next.
Why People Turn to These Sites in the First Place
For most families, it’s not about cutting corners. It’s about access.
They want something:
- Affordable
- Convenient
- Private
- Easy to understand
That’s completely reasonable. Estate planning should feel accessible. It just shouldn’t be oversimplified.
How Heircraft Planning Bridges the Gap
At Heircraft Planning, we share that same goal — making estate planning easier to start and easier to maintain — but we do it without sacrificing the quality and accountability that your family deserves.
Here’s how we make it accessible and effective:
- Virtual Appointments: Meet with us from home, on your schedule. We’ll walk you through the process in plain language, not legal jargon.
- Flat Fees, No Surprises: You’ll know exactly what it costs upfront.
- Ongoing Relationship: Your plan shouldn’t sit in a drawer. We stay connected to help review and update it as your life changes.
Because real estate planning isn’t a transaction — it’s a partnership.
What This Means for Your Plan
Online estate planning tools have made it easier for families to start thinking about planning, and that is genuinely useful. A conversation started is better than one that never happens. The gap is not in the starting. It is in what comes after: whether the documents are funded, whether they reflect the family’s actual situation, and whether anyone is available to help when something changes or goes wrong.
If you have already used one of these services, it is worth taking a closer look at whether the plan is complete in practice, not just on paper. If you are just beginning, understanding how the process works before choosing a path is a reasonable place to start.
The free guide we put together for Alabama families covers wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, and how to think through your options. The Estate Planning Book for Alabama Families is written by Mark Eiland, founder of Heircraft Planning, and available at no cost on our website.
Heircraft Planning also offers free educational seminars in Mobile for individuals and families who want to explore these topics in depth. Light dinner is provided. You can find upcoming dates and register at heircraftplanning.com/upcoming-events. If you are ready to talk through your specific situation, you are also welcome to schedule a consultation directly.
If you are ready to talk through your specific situation or want to make sure an existing plan is complete, you are welcome to schedule a consultation with our team at Heircraft Planning. You can reach us directly through our website at heircraftplanning.com.
Source:
¹ Trust & Will Terms of Service. https://trustandwill.com/security/terms
