Your Legacy, Your Terms
Without a will or trust, the state decides who gets your assets. Take control with legally binding documents that protect your family and honor your wishes.
Understanding the Difference
Last Will & Testament
A legal document that specifies how your assets should be distributed after death. It goes through probate court, making it a public record.
What a Will Does
- Names beneficiaries for all your assets
- Designates guardians for minor children
- Appoints an executor to manage the estate
- Can specify funeral and burial wishes
Limitations
- Must go through probate (public, slow, costly)
- Can be contested by disgruntled heirs
- No protection during incapacity
- Only takes effect after death
Revocable Living Trust
A legal entity that holds your assets during your lifetime and distributes them after death — bypassing probate entirely. You maintain full control.
Key Benefits
- Avoids probate completely — private & fast
- Full control during your lifetime
- Seamless transition if you become incapacitated
- Conditional distributions (age, milestones)
vs. a Will
- Distribution in days, not months/years
- Completely private — no public records
- Much harder to contest
- Works across state lines
Types of Trusts
Click on any trust type to learn more about how it can protect your wealth.
Maintain full control during your lifetime. Can be modified or revoked at any time. Assets transfer to beneficiaries outside of probate upon death.
Remove assets from your taxable estate permanently. Provides maximum asset protection from creditors and lawsuits. Cannot be easily modified once established.
Provide for a disabled beneficiary without jeopardizing their eligibility for government benefits like Medicaid and SSI. The trust supplements but doesn't replace those benefits.
Support causes you care about while receiving significant tax benefits during your lifetime. CRTs and CLTs let you split benefits between charity and family.
Shield assets from creditors, lawsuits, and judgments while retaining certain benefits. Domestic APTs are available in several states; offshore options provide additional protection.
Protect beneficiaries from their own spending habits with controlled distributions. The trustee manages disbursements based on rules you set, preventing waste of inherited wealth.
Probate vs. Trust
See why trusts are the preferred choice for protecting wealth and privacy.
Distribution Timeline
Cost (% of Estate)
Privacy Level
Probate
100% Public Record
Anyone can see assets, debts, beneficiaries
Trust
100% Private
Only named parties have access
Why Estate Planning Matters
The numbers speak for themselves. Don't leave your family's future to chance.
of Americans don't have a will
average probate cost per estate
average probate duration
private with a living trust
Estate Planning Checklist
Do you have all the essential documents in place? Check off what you've completed.
Protect Your Family's Inheritance
Create your will or trust today and ensure your legacy is preserved for generations.