We manage the relationship. Attorneys execute the plan.
AethosTrust is not a law firm. We're the education and relationship layer that makes estate planning accessible, understandable, and ongoing.
The AethosTrust Model
Your journey, step by step
1
Phase 1
Discovery
~10 minutes
Complete the AI-guided estate intake
Answer questions about family, business, assets
No legal jargon — conversational and guided
2
Phase 2
Your Wealth Map
Instant
Receive your personalized estate readiness analysis
See your complexity score, risk areas, and recommended path
Understand what documents you need and why
3
Phase 3
Consultation
30–90 minutes depending on tier
Warm handoff to a licensed estate planning attorney
Attorney already has your full picture from the intake
Deep conversation about your specific situation
4
Phase 4
Execution
2–4 weeks
Attorney drafts your trust, will, POA, healthcare directive
AethosTrust tracks your case status
Documents ready for signing
5
Phase 5
Ongoing Relationship
Annual
Annual reviews keep your plan current
Life event check-ins (marriage, divorce, child, business exit)
Your wealth map updates as your life changes
Education library access for continued learning
Why We Exist
55% of Americans have zero estate documents. Not because they don't care — because the system was never built for them.
Estate planning has been gatekept by $500/hour attorneys and incomprehensible legal jargon. We believe every founder, every parent, every person building something deserves access to the same protections the wealthy have always had.
"That's why we built AethosTrust: to democratize the trust."
The Attorney Network
Your attorney is the execution layer
AethosTrust partners with licensed estate planning attorneys in each state we serve. Every attorney in our network is vetted and specializes in trusts and estate planning — so you get focused expertise, not a generalist.
Currently serving
Washington, DCMarylandVirginiaNew York
Senior Estate Planning Attorney
DC & Maryland
15+ years of experience in estate planning, trusts, and probate law. Deep expertise in federal employee and military estate considerations.
Trust & Business Succession Attorney
Virginia
Specializes in business owner estate plans, LLC structuring, and succession planning. Focused on protecting founders and their families.
Estate Planning & Elder Law Attorney
New York
Focused on family trusts and multi-generational planning. Experienced in elder law, Medicaid planning, and complex family dynamics.
Expanding to additional states in 2026
What AethosTrust is not
AethosTrust is not a law firm
We do not provide legal advice
We are an estate planning education and relationship management service
Your estate plan is drafted and executed by a licensed attorney in your state
Think of us as the advisor layer — your attorney is the execution layer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions
Most online estate planning services are document generators — you fill out a form, download a PDF, and you're on your own. AethosTrust is fundamentally different. We pair AI-powered intake and education with a licensed attorney who actually drafts and executes your plan. You get a personalized Wealth Map that identifies your specific risk areas, a warm handoff to a vetted attorney who already understands your situation, and an ongoing relationship that keeps your plan current as your life changes. Trust & Will and LegalZoom give you a document. AethosTrust gives you a relationship.
Attorney fees depend on the complexity of your estate plan. For straightforward plans (single trust, will, POA, healthcare directive), most of our network attorneys charge between $1,500 and $3,000. For more complex situations — business succession, multi-entity structures, or blended families — fees may be higher. The good news: because our AI intake does the heavy lifting upfront, your attorney spends less time on discovery and more time on strategy, which often means lower fees than going to an attorney cold. You'll always know the attorney's fee structure before committing.
Yes. If you already have an estate planning attorney you trust, you can use AethosTrust for the intake, education, and Wealth Map — then bring those insights to your own attorney. Your Wealth Map and intake summary can serve as a comprehensive brief that saves your attorney time (and potentially saves you money). That said, our network attorneys are specifically trained to work with the AethosTrust system, which means a smoother handoff and more integrated experience.
A will is a good start, but it may not be enough — especially if you own a business, have real estate in multiple states, or want to avoid probate. Our intake will assess your current documents and identify gaps. Many people who already have a will discover they need a trust to protect their assets from probate, ensure business continuity, or plan for incapacity. If your existing will is comprehensive and current, we'll tell you that too. The goal is always to give you an honest, clear picture of where you stand.
From intake to signed documents, most clients complete the process in 3–6 weeks. The intake takes about 10 minutes. Your Wealth Map is generated instantly. Attorney consultation is typically scheduled within 5–10 business days of your intake. Document drafting takes 2–4 weeks depending on complexity. The longest part is usually scheduling — not the work itself. Once your plan is in place, annual reviews take 15–30 minutes.
Estate planning is state-specific, so moving can affect your plan. The good news: revocable living trusts generally transfer across state lines better than wills. When you report a move through AethosTrust, we'll flag any state-specific issues — like changes in community property laws, state estate taxes, or healthcare directive requirements — and connect you with a licensed attorney in your new state. If we don't yet serve your new state, we'll help you find qualified counsel and provide your full case history to make the transition seamless.
Absolutely — this is one of our core strengths. Business succession is one of the most overlooked and most critical aspects of estate planning for founders. Our intake specifically addresses business ownership, partner agreements, LLC structures, and exit scenarios. Your Wealth Map will identify succession gaps and recommend strategies. Our network includes attorneys who specialize in business succession, buy-sell agreements, and entity restructuring for estate planning purposes. Whether you're planning for a future sale, family transition, or unexpected disability, we'll make sure your business is protected.
Life changes — and your estate plan should change with it. That's exactly why AethosTrust includes annual reviews and life event check-ins as part of every membership. Had a child? Got divorced? Sold your business? Bought a new property? Each of these events can affect your plan. When you report a life change (or when we check in), we'll update your Wealth Map, identify what needs to change, and coordinate with your attorney to amend your documents. Most amendments are straightforward and far less expensive than the original plan. Your estate plan is a living document — we treat it that way.