Feature Comparison
What's Included in Online Trust Packages?
"Living trust — $599" doesn't tell you what you're getting. The difference between services isn't just price — it's what's actually included. Here's a real breakdown.
The short answer
Most services include basic documents (trust, will, POA). The real differences: notarization (some include it, most charge extra), property deeds (few include them), and funding help (almost nobody does this well). The cheapest package often ends up expensive when you add what's missing.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Mantle | Trust & Will | LegalZoom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Living Trust | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pour-Over Will | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Healthcare Directive | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Financial POA | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Certificate of Trust | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Online Notarization | Included | +$150 | DIY |
| Property Deed | Included | ✗ | ✗ |
| Asset Transfer Guidance | AI-Powered | Limited | ✗ |
| Family Vault | ✓ | Basic storage | Basic storage |
| Updates | Unlimited | $19/mo | $199/yr |
| Total Price | $995 | $849+ (w/notary) | $800-1,200+ |
What (almost) everyone includes
These are table stakes — any legitimate service should include them:
- ✓Revocable Living Trust — The core document that holds your assets
- ✓Pour-Over Will — Catches assets outside the trust
- ✓Healthcare Directive — Your medical wishes
- ✓Financial Power of Attorney — Who manages finances if you can't
- ✓Certificate of Trust — Summary for banks/title companies
If a service doesn't include all of these, keep looking.
Where services really differ
1. Notarization
Required for real estate transfers. Some services include online notarization (sign from home via video chat). Others charge extra ($100-$200). Others leave you to find a notary yourself.
Look for: Online notarization included in the base price.
2. Property Deed
To transfer your home into your trust, you need a new deed. Almost no service creates this for you — they give you trust documents and leave you to figure out the property transfer yourself.
Look for: Deed generation included. This is the step most people fail.
3. Asset Transfer Guidance
Creating documents is half the job. Actually funding your trust (transferring assets) is the other half. Most services give you PDFs and wish you luck. Few help you complete the process.
Look for: Step-by-step guidance for each asset type. Even better: AI-powered help that tracks your progress.
4. Updates
Life changes. New baby, new house, divorce — your trust needs to change too. Some services charge per update ($100-$400), some require monthly memberships ($20/mo+), some include unlimited updates.
Look for: Unlimited updates included. Ongoing fees add up fast.
5. Storage & Sharing
Where do your documents live? Can you share access with family? Most services offer basic storage. Few make it easy for loved ones to access what they need when it matters.
Look for: Family vault with secure sharing capabilities.
What Mantle includes
Full disclosure: we built Mantle because we thought existing services were incomplete. Here's everything in our package:
$995 complete. Same price for individuals or couples.
Get the complete package
Why pay for half a solution? Mantle includes everything you need to actually complete your estate plan — not just create documents.
Try Mantle Free →$995 complete. Everything included.