Make Your Own Living Trust by Nolo Review

TL;DR

Denis Clifford's Make Your Own Living Trust, published by Nolo, is the long-running consumer guide to DIY-ing a revocable living trust. For simple estates — modest assets, no blended family, no special-needs heirs, no operating businesses — it's a genuinely capable resource that produces a legally workable trust at a fraction of attorney cost. For anything complex, it's the wrong tool. The book is honest about that distinction, which is why it's still in print.

Why It Matters

Probate-avoidance and predictable wealth transfer are the main reasons people set up living trusts, and an attorney-drafted trust runs $1,500-3,500. For a household with $200K-500K in assets and a simple structure, that fee can swallow a meaningful chunk of what you're trying to protect. Nolo's book bridges the gap — produces a usable trust if your situation fits the templates.

Key Specs

Author: Denis Clifford (Nolo)
Editions: regularly updated, current edition recommended
Pages: ~360
Publisher: Nolo
Includes: forms, sample language, state-specific notes
Format: paperback, ebook

Pros

Plain-language explanation of trust mechanics
Includes usable forms and sample language
Honest about when DIY isn't appropriate
State-by-state notes flag jurisdictional differences
Updates regularly to track law changes
Substantial savings vs. attorney drafting for simple cases

Cons

Not a substitute for an attorney with complex assets, blended family, or business interests
DIY mistakes (improper funding, missing successor language) can void protections
Forms must be properly executed (notarization, asset retitling) — many DIYers miss this
Tax implications light — pair with a CPA review
State-specific quirks may need a quick attorney consult anyway

Who It's For

Households with simple estates, single marriage, modest asset complexity. Cost-conscious DIYers who will read the whole book carefully. Anyone wanting to understand trust mechanics before meeting an attorney. Skip it if you have a blended family, special-needs heirs, an operating business, or significant tax-sensitive assets.

How to Use It

Read cover-to-cover before drafting. Inventory assets. Use the forms but verify state-specific requirements. Critically: fund the trust — retitle assets into the trust name, or the document is worthless. Notarize properly. Consider a one-hour fee-only attorney review of the finished document before signing.

How It Compares

Vs. attorney-drafted trust: attorney handles complexity, book handles simple cases. Vs. online services (LegalZoom, Trust & Will): book teaches more; services produce faster. Vs. Plan Your Estate (Nolo): broader Nolo title for full estate plan; this is trust-focused.