Estate planning is crucial for safeguarding your legacy and ensuring that your wishes are fulfilled. Quicken WillMaker & Trust, developed by Nolo’s expert attorneys, offers an all-in-one software solution designed specifically to make estate planning accessible for seniors and families. This comprehensive program provides everything needed to create wills, living trusts, healthcare directives, and more—all from the comfort of your home.
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The information provided on this website does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by using the website.
Always consult with a legal expert if you have any doubts or questions about your will and trust documents. Quicken WillMaker is a great tool to get started, but it is always better to have a professional review your documents to ensure they are legally binding and reflect your wishes accurately.
Please be aware that estate planning documents are not valid in Louisiana, U.S. territories (U.S.), or outside the United States, including Canada.
🔄 Important 2025 Update: New Subscription Model
Nolo has changed how Quicken WillMaker & Trust works—and it’s great news for seniors!
Instead of releasing new versions every year (2024, 2025, 2026, etc.), Nolo now provides continuous updates to all active subscribers. This means:
✅ You always have the most current legal forms and state-specific requirements
✅ No need to buy new versions every year like before
✅ Just $39.99 annual renewal after your first year keeps everything updated
✅ Automatic updates download as laws change
✅ Latest major update: September 2025 (version 26.0)
Why This Benefits Seniors:
After your initial purchase, you pay only $39.99 annually to stay current. Your estate planning documents automatically update with changing state laws—providing peace of mind without the hassle of tracking yearly releases.
What’s New: Latest 2025 Updates (September 2025)
Nolo’s expert attorneys continuously update Quicken WillMaker & Trust throughout the year. Here are the most recent improvements:
Major New Features:
Living Trust: Second Alternate Beneficiaries
Perfect for seniors planning across multiple generations! You can now name:
- Primary beneficiary (typically your spouse)
- First alternates (your children)
- NEW: Second alternates (your grandchildren)
Example: If your spouse and children predecease you, your grandchildren automatically inherit—no gaps in your estate plan.
State-Specific Notary Acknowledgments
All documents requiring notarization now print with the correct notary certificate for your state. No more confusion at the notary’s office or worrying if you have the right form.
New Free eBook: “Make Your Living Trust”
This comprehensive guide helps you understand whether you need a will, a living trust, or both—essential reading for seniors navigating estate planning decisions.
Gender-Neutral Language Updates
All documents have been updated with inclusive language, reflecting modern families and relationships.
Includes 4 Free eBooks
When you purchase Quicken WillMaker & Trust, you receive these valuable resources:
- Special Needs Trusts: Protect Your Child’s Financial Future
By Kevin Urbatsch and Jessica Farinas Jones, Attorneys. Learn how to provide for a loved one with special needs without jeopardizing government benefits. Includes all necessary forms for establishing a third-party special needs trust. - Long-Term Care: How to Plan & Pay for It
By the Editors of Nolo. Navigate the challenging decisions associated with long-term care. Plan ahead and find affordable care options that meet your needs. - NEW: Make Your Living Trust
By the Editors of Nolo. Whether you plan to create your own trust, work with a lawyer, or just do preliminary research, this book gives you the information needed to confidently move forward. - Quicken WillMaker & Trust: The Legal Manual
Comprehensive estate planning information designed to help you create documents with confidence.
Key Features for Seniors
Complete Estate Planning Suite
Wills and Living Trusts
Create legally valid documents covering everything from personal belongings to bank accounts and real estate. Living trusts help you avoid probate—saving your family time, money, and stress during an already difficult period.
Healthcare Directives
Prepare advance directives that communicate your medical wishes if you become incapacitated. Include both living will provisions and healthcare power of attorney, ensuring your preferences are honored.
Durable Power of Attorney for Finances
Appoint a trusted person to handle financial tasks if you’re unable to manage them yourself. Essential for seniors concerned about potential cognitive decline or sudden illness.
Final Arrangements
Outline your preferences for burial, cremation, memorials, and obituaries. Reduce stress on your loved ones by making these decisions in advance.
Letters to Survivors
Share personal messages, explain your decisions, and provide important information like account passwords and who to notify of your passing.
Why Seniors Choose Quicken WillMaker & Trust
Senior-Specific Benefits:
Protection Against Financial Abuse
Unfortunately, seniors are prime targets for financial scams and exploitation—sometimes even from family members. A properly structured living trust with carefully chosen trustees provides crucial protection for your assets.
Probate Avoidance
Living trusts keep your property out of lengthy, expensive probate proceedings. Your family receives their inheritance faster, with more privacy and significantly lower costs.
Incapacity Planning
As we age, the risk of becoming unable to manage our affairs increases. Quicken WillMaker & Trust helps you plan for this possibility with durable powers of attorney and successor trustees.
Always Current with Law Changes
Estate planning laws change regularly. With continuous updates, your documents stay compliant with current state requirements—no need to track legal changes yourself.
Affordable Alternative to Attorneys
While attorney-prepared estate plans can cost $1,000-$3,000 or more, Quicken WillMaker & Trust provides professional-quality documents at a fraction of the cost. Many seniors use it to create their initial plan, then have an attorney review it.
Simple 3-Step Process
Step 1: Select Your Plan
Three plans available to match your needs:
- Starter ($109): Basic will, healthcare directive, and final arrangements
- Plus ($149): Adds living trust, power of attorney, and more
- All Access ($219): Complete package with 35+ documents plus Everplans digital vault
If you need help choosing, the software includes a guided quiz to recommend the best plan for your situation.
Important: Plus and All-Access members can use both the online platform AND downloadable software, though documents don’t transfer between platforms.
Step 2: Answer Interview Questions
The software guides you through a simple question-and-answer format. No legal jargon—just straightforward questions about your family, property, and wishes. Work at your own pace, save your progress, and return anytime.
Step 3: Review, Sign & Finalize
Print your completed documents and follow state-specific signing instructions. Some documents require witnesses, others need notarization. The software provides exact requirements for your state.
Pricing & Subscription Model
Initial Purchase:
- Starter: $109
- Plus: $149
- All Access: $219
After First Year:
- Annual Renewal: $39.99 (all plans)
- Includes all updates, new features, and legal changes
- You keep access to your documents even if you don’t renew
Cost Comparison:
Old Model: Purchase new version yearly at $100-$220
New Model: $39.99 annual renewal after first year
For seniors on fixed incomes, this new subscription model saves significant money while ensuring your estate plan stays current.our estate plan.
Video: Quicken WillMaker & Trust 2025: Is It Worth The Money?
**Note:** This video was created in 2025. Since recording, Nolo has discontinued yearly versions in favor of continuous updates. The core features and value assessment in this video remain accurate, but see the updated information above regarding the new subscription model.
Complete Plan Comparison
Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker & Trust Plans
| Feature | Starter $109* | Plus $149* | All Access $219* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wills | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Health Care Directive | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Final Arrangements | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Durable Power of Attorney for Finances | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Letters to Survivors | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Living Trust | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Transfer on Death Deed | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Download Version for PC/Mac | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Additional Estate Planning Documents | ✓ | ||
| Additional Financial Documents | ✓ | ||
| Additional Family & Home Documents | ✓ | ||
| Everplans Digital Vault (1 Year) | ✓ |
* Prices are at the time of writing this article and may change. Be sure to check the price before purchasing.
What’s Included in All Access Additional Documents:
Estate Planning Documents: Limited Power of Attorney, Revocation of Health Care Directive, Revocation of Financial Power of Attorney, and more
Financial Documents: Promissory Note, General Bill of Sale, Quitclaim Deed, Security Agreement for Borrowing Money
Family & Home Documents:
- Child Care Agreement
- Elder Care Agreement
- Pet Care Agreement
- Authorization for Minor’s Medical Treatment
- Authorization for International Travel with Minor
- Authorization to Drive a Motor Vehicle
- Housekeeping Services Agreement
- Child Care Instructions
- Housesitting Instructions
- Temporary Guardianship Authorization
- And more specialized forms
Everplans Digital Vault Includes:
- Organize all important documents in one secure location
- Encrypted document storage
- Share access with trusted family members and advisors
- Password management
- Emergency contact information
Senior-Focused Trust Considerations
Understanding Living Trusts for Seniors
What is a Revocable Living Trust?
A revocable living trust is a legal arrangement where you transfer ownership of your assets to a trust that you control during your lifetime. You serve as the trustee, managing everything as you always have. Upon your death or incapacity, a successor trustee you’ve named takes over.
Key Benefits for Seniors:
Probate Avoidance
Probate can take 6 months to 2 years and cost 3-7% of your estate value. Living trusts bypass probate entirely, allowing your beneficiaries to receive their inheritance quickly and privately.
Incapacity Protection
If you become unable to manage your affairs due to illness or cognitive decline, your successor trustee steps in immediately—no court intervention required.
Privacy
Unlike wills, which become public records during probate, living trusts remain completely private. Your assets, beneficiaries, and distribution plans stay confidential.
Multi-Generational Planning
With the new second alternate feature, you can now plan for your spouse, children, AND grandchildren in a single trust document.
When Seniors Need Professional Help
While Quicken WillMaker & Trust handles most situations well, consider consulting an attorney if you have:
- Estates over $5 million (potential estate tax issues)
- Complicated family situations (multiple marriages, estranged children)
- Special needs beneficiaries requiring ongoing care
- Business ownership or complex assets
- Concerns about family disputes or challenges to your plan
Many seniors use Quicken WillMaker & Trust to create their initial documents, then pay an attorney $300-500 for a review—still far less than having an attorney create everything from scratch.
User Experience: Designed for Seniors
Senior-Friendly Interface
Large, clear text and intuitive navigation make the software easy to use, even for those less comfortable with technology. The step-by-step interview format eliminates confusion.
Work at Your Own Pace
Save your progress and return anytime. No pressure to complete everything in one sitting—ideal for seniors who may need breaks or want to consult with family members.
Comprehensive Help System
Every screen includes helpful information explaining legal terms and concepts. The included legal manual provides in-depth guidance when needed.
Multiple Family Members
One purchase allows you to create documents for your spouse, parents, children, or other family members—excellent value for families planning together.
Legal Validity and State Compliance
Quicken WillMaker & Trust is reviewed year-round by Nolo’s expert attorneys to ensure all documents comply with current state laws. Automatic updates keep your documents legally valid as laws change.
State-Specific Documents:
The software customizes every document based on your state’s requirements. For example:
- Florida requires primary residences to go to spouses or minor children
- Some states require specific witness or notarization procedures
- Healthcare directive requirements vary significantly by state
Not Valid In:
- Louisiana (uses Napoleonic Code, different from other states)
- U.S. Territories
- Countries outside the United States (including Canada)
If you live in these areas, consult a local attorney familiar with your jurisdiction’s laws.
Remember to always consult with a legal expert if you have any doubts or questions about your will and trust documents. Quicken WillMaker is a great tool to get started, but it is always better to have a professional review your documents to ensure they are legally binding and reflect your wishes accurately.
Ready to manage your estate with ease? Try Quicken’s WillMaker & Trust 2025 today and start protecting your future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Quicken WillMaker 2026 version coming out?
No. Nolo discontinued yearly versions. Quicken WillMaker & Trust now receives ongoing updates instead of annual releases. All active subscribers automatically receive updates as they’re released.
How often are updates released?
Several times per year. Recent updates occurred in September 2025, May 2025, February 2025, and December 2024. You receive all updates automatically when your subscription is active.
Will my 2024 version still work?
If you purchased within the last year and your subscription is active, you automatically receive all updates. If your subscription lapsed, you can renew for $39.99/year.
Can I use this for multiple family members?
Yes! One purchase allows you to create documents for yourself, your spouse, parents, children, and other family members. Excellent value for families.
What happens if I don’t renew after the first year?
You keep permanent access to your completed documents, but won’t receive new features or legal updates. For $39.99/year, renewal ensures your estate plan stays current with changing laws.
Do I need to do anything to get updates?
No. When connected to the internet, updates download automatically. You’ll see a notification when updates are available.
Is Quicken WillMaker legal and binding?
Yes, when properly executed according to your state’s requirements. Nolo has been publishing legal self-help materials for over 50 years and has helped millions create valid estate planning documents.
Should I still see an attorney?
For straightforward estates, Quicken WillMaker & Trust may be sufficient. However, consulting an attorney is wise for complex situations, large estates, or if you have specific concerns. Many people use the software to create documents, then pay an attorney for a review.
Can I make changes after creating documents?
Yes! You can revise your documents as often as needed during your subscription period. Life changes like marriages, births, divorces, or asset changes are easily accommodated.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
✅ Comprehensive estate planning suite with 35+ documents
✅ Continuous updates keep documents current with changing laws
✅ Senior-friendly interface designed for ease of use
✅ Affordable compared to attorney fees ($1,000-$3,000+)
✅ State-specific documents ensure legal compliance
✅ Multiple family members can use one purchase
✅ Free eBooks provide additional guidance
✅ Work at your own pace with save-and-return functionality
✅ 50+ years of Nolo’s legal publishing expertise
Cons:
❌ Not valid in Louisiana, U.S. Territories, or outside U.S.
❌ Complex estates may still require attorney assistance
❌ Annual renewal required for ongoing updates ($39.99/year)
❌ Data doesn’t transfer between online and software platforms
❌ No attorney review included (though available for extra cost)
Estate Planning Considerations for 2025-2026
Important Tax Law Changes Ahead:
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act significantly increased estate tax exemptions, but these are scheduled to sunset on January 1, 2026. The exemption will drop from $13.99 million (2025) to approximately $7 million (2026) per person.
What This Means for Seniors:
If you have a substantial estate, 2025 is an important year for estate planning. Creating or updating your living trust now allows you to take advantage of current exemption levels and plan strategically for potential changes.
Medicare and Medicaid Considerations:
While revocable living trusts don’t protect assets from Medicaid spend-down requirements, they do provide important benefits for managing assets during incapacity and distributing them efficiently after death.
System Requirements
Operating System:
- Windows 10/11 or Mac OS 10.14 or higher
Internet Connection:
- Required to receive updates and to access your online WillMaker account
Additional Requirements:
- Monitor
- Printer (for printing final documents)
- PDF viewer
Recent Update History
September 2025 (v26.0) – Current Version
- Second alternate beneficiaries for living trusts
- State-specific notary certificates
- New eBook: Make Your Living Trust
- Gender-neutral language updates
- Enhanced will checklist
- Improved executor and trustee letters
- Many technical and user experience improvements
May 2025 (v25.4, 25.5)
- Healthcare directive updates for FL, ID, NE, CA
- Enhanced power of attorney features
- Living trust property assignment improvements
- Improved user experience
February 2025 (v25.3)
- Living trust summary screen updates
- State-specific deed improvements
- Limited power of attorney enhancements
December 2024 (v25.2)
- New Transfer on Death Deeds for GA, NH, NY
- Letter to survivors: improvements
- State-specific deed updates
Conclusion: Is Quicken WillMaker & Trust Right for You?
Quicken WillMaker & Trust offers seniors and families a comprehensive, affordable solution for estate planning. With Nolo’s new continuous update model, you benefit from:
- Professional-quality documents at a fraction of attorney costs
- Always-current legal forms that adapt to changing laws
- Senior-focused features like multi-generational trust planning
- Peace of mind knowing your wishes will be honored
- Simplified process that doesn’t require legal expertise
Best For:
- Seniors with straightforward estates
- Families wanting to avoid probate
- Individuals comfortable with technology
- Those seeking affordable estate planning
- People who want to maintain control over their planning process
Consider an Attorney If:
- Your estate exceeds $5 million
- You have complex family situations
- You own a business
- You have special needs beneficiaries
- You anticipate estate challenges
Bottom Line:
For $109-$219 initially and just $39.99/year thereafter, Quicken WillMaker & Trust provides exceptional value for seniors who want to protect their legacy and ensure their wishes are honored. The continuous update model means your documents stay current without the hassle and expense of yearly new versions.
Ready to secure your legacy and provide peace of mind for your loved ones? Start with Quicken WillMaker & Trust today.
Remember to always consult with a legal expert if you have doubts or questions about your estate planning documents. Quicken WillMaker is an excellent starting point, but professional review ensures your documents are legally binding and accurately reflect your wishes.
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