Both a will and a living trust say who receives what you own. They differ in cost, privacy and how much work your family faces later.
A will
- Lower upfront cost
- Names guardians for young children
- Goes through probate, which is public and can take months
A living trust
- Higher upfront cost and some paperwork to fund it
- Usually avoids probate entirely
- Keeps your estate private
| Will | Living trust | |
|---|---|---|
| Avoids probate | No | Usually |
| Private | No | Yes |
| Names guardians | Yes | With a pour-over will |
Many families use both. We can recommend the right mix at a flat-fee first meeting.
