Will or trust? A plain-English starting point
Sample byline: Jeffery L. Butler4 min read
A Will tells the court who should receive your property and who should be in charge. It works — but it must go through probate, which is public and can take months.
What a revocable trust changes
With a revocable living trust, you move assets into a trust you control during your lifetime. Assets titled to the trust generally pass without probate, and a successor trustee can step in if you become incapacitated.
Questions worth asking
Do you own property in more than one county or state? Do your beneficiaries live out of state? Would you like an inheritance released over time rather than all at once? Your answers shape the recommendation.
The bottom line
There’s no universal answer. Bring your questions — and a list of what you own — to a consultation, and you’ll leave with a clear recommendation for your situation.