Will vs. Trust: which one your family actually needs
When a will is enough, and when a trust saves your family months of probate.
A will tells the probate court who gets what. A revocable living trust skips probate entirely — assets transfer to your beneficiaries privately, immediately, and with no court oversight.
When a will is enough: modest estate, simple beneficiary picture, and you don't mind your family spending 6–18 months in probate. Most states have a 'small estate' shortcut for total assets under $50K–$200K.
When a trust earns its cost: you own real estate (especially in multiple states), have minor children, want privacy, want incapacity planning baked in, or your estate is large enough that probate fees become meaningful. The setup is more work upfront — but your family will thank you for it.
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