Yes, it's completely legal to create an estate plan online. MyAdvocate provides step-by-step instructions to help you "make it official" without the help of an attorney.

An estate plan is a set of legal documents that protect you, your loved ones, and your belongings in the event of an emergency or when you pass away.

The government has a rigid set of rules that apply when you neglect to create your own Estate Plan, leaving you without a voice. That’s why we believe all Americans should have an estate plan.

Although the terms Will and Living Will sound alike, they are different parts of an overall estate plan. A Will, formally known as a Last Will and Testament, is a document where people leave their assets to their desired beneficiaries. A Living Will is a document in which you specify what treatment you would want or not want to be used to keep you alive.

Yes. While estate planning is often associated with the wealthy, most people, and their loved ones, can benefit from putting legal affairs in order - even if they’re not wealthy. Without an Estate Plan, your state legislature decides who gets your assets and, if you have minor children, who will care for them. Typically, without estate planning, the state courts will pass on any assets you own at your death to your closest relatives, even if that would not have been your choice.

Estate planning gives your family a roadmap to follow when you pass away or become incapacitated, making sure your belongings are passed on to those you select, and designating who will have the authority to oversee that your wishes are honored. Failing to address your estate may result in wishes not being followed along with those closest to you having to deal with an administrative mess.

An arrangement where a person (the trustee) holds assets for the good of one or more beneficiaries.

One of the main benefits of setting up a Living Trust is to keep your estate out of probate. Probate publicizes your wishes and requires attorney involvement, which can not only get costly and take months to years to finalize, but also increases the likelihood of estate settlement conflict.