Revocable Living Trust
Create a trust for one person and name successor trustees and beneficiaries.
View this optionChoose a Last Will and Testament form
Start with marital status and whether you have children under 18. Each choice remains available through its state selector.
Choose a state for a will or codicil.
Each option can open the corresponding state form.
Married adults
4 choicesNo children
A married adult with no children.
Adult children
A married adult whose children are all adults.
Minor children
A married adult with one or more children under 18.
Minor children with a testamentary trust
Adds trust provisions to manage a child’s inheritance.
Single adults
4 choicesNo children
An unmarried adult with no children.
Adult children
An unmarried adult whose children are all adults.
Minor children
An unmarried adult with one or more children under 18.
Minor children with a testamentary trust
Adds trust provisions to manage a child’s inheritance.
Revocable and irrevocable trust options
Compare revocable living trusts and an irrevocable trust by planning goal and family circumstances—not by current location.
Joint Revocable Living Trust
Create one revocable living trust for a married couple’s estate plan.
View this optionA–B Living Trust
A marital trust structure for circumstances that call for separate trust shares.
View this optionFortress Irrevocable Trust
Explore the Fortress Irrevocable Trust for advanced asset-protection and gifting plans that require a permanent trust structure.
Explore Fortress Trust
Not sure where to begin?
Compare a will and a living trust
Learn what each document controls, how probate and trust funding differ, and why some estate plans use both before choosing a form.
Read the will-versus-trust guideAmend an Existing Will or Trust
Choose the document you need to change. Extensive changes may call for replacing and re-executing the original document.
Related estate planning needs
Connect your will or trust with financial authority, health care planning, and practical trust-funding guidance.
Financial authority
Name an agent to handle property and financial matters under a power of attorney.
Browse Power of Attorney formsHealth care decisions
Record treatment wishes or appoint someone to make health care decisions if you cannot.
Browse Health Care formsFund a living trust
Learn why creating the document is only the first step and how assets connect to a trust.
Read the trust-funding guideFrequently Asked Questions About Estate Planning Forms
Should I start with a will or a living trust?
A will directs how property governed by the will should be distributed, names an executor, and can nominate guardians for minor children. A living trust can hold assets during life and direct their management and distribution. The right starting point depends on your assets, family, probate concerns, and planning goals.
Why does the state matter when choosing a will?
Will execution rules and related provisions vary by state. Choose the state whose law should govern the document, usually the state where you live and expect to sign it. If your residence, property, or expected move makes that unclear, consult an estate-planning attorney.
What if I expect to move to another state?
A move can affect which law is most relevant and whether existing documents should be reviewed. If you expect to move before signing, own property in more than one state, or are unsure which state should govern the will, consult an estate-planning attorney.
Which will should I choose if I have minor children?
Start with the option that matches your marital status and whether your children are minors. If you want the will to hold and manage an inheritance for a child rather than distribute it outright, review the option that includes a testamentary trust.
What is a codicil?
A codicil is a separate document used to amend an existing will. It must be completed and executed with the formalities required by applicable law. For broad or numerous changes, replacing the will may be clearer than adding a codicil.
Can I change a revocable living trust?
A revocable living trust is generally designed so the person who created it can amend or revoke it while legally capable, subject to the trust terms and applicable law. Use a trust amendment for changes that are appropriate for that document.
Do I still need a will if I create a living trust?
A will may still address property that was not transferred to the trust and can nominate guardians for minor children. A trust only controls assets that are legally connected to it, so funding and coordinating the documents are important.
When should I consult an estate-planning attorney?
Consider legal advice for blended families, special-needs beneficiaries, business ownership, tax concerns, significant or multistate property, creditor concerns, questions about capacity, or any situation in which the correct document or governing law is uncertain.
General information, not legal advice.
ILRG provides self-help forms and educational material. Review current law and form instructions, and consult a licensed attorney when your circumstances require legal guidance.