Will vs trust
Which one do I actually need?
Both move your assets to the people you choose. The difference is how — and that matters more than people think.
Last Will & Testament Available today — $149 solo, $228 couples | Revocable Living Trust Roadmap — bundled plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Takes effect | On death | On signing |
| Probate required | Yes | No, for trust-held assets |
| Public record | Yes, filed in probate court | No, private |
| Names an executor / successor trustee | ✓ | ✓ |
| Nominates guardians for minor children | ✓ | Only in pour-over will |
| Handles out-of-state real estate | Ancillary probate in each state | Retitled into trust — no ancillary probate |
| Handles incapacity (not just death) | — | ✓ |
| Staged distributions (age-gated) | Limited | Deep support |
| Requires asset retitling | — | Yes — 'funding' the trust |
| Ongoing maintenance | Amend when life changes | Amend + keep funding current |
| Cost to set up | $ | $$ |
| Good fit for | Most people, most of the time | Larger or multi-state estates |
Honest guidance
When a will is enough.
A will is the right choice when:
- — Your estate is mostly cash, retirement accounts with beneficiary designations, and a home in one state.
- — Your beneficiaries are adult and competent, or are minor children you're comfortable having inherit outright at 18.
- — You want the simplest possible document that still lets you name an executor and guardians.
- — You prefer to save setup effort and cost now, and accept that your family will go through probate later.
Honest guidance
When a trust is worth the effort.
A revocable living trust is worth setting up when:
- — You own real estate in more than one state.
- — You want your estate to stay private — probate records are public.
- — You want beneficiaries to receive inheritance in stages rather than outright.
- — You're managing blended-family complexity and want enforceable rules.
- — You have assets or circumstances where avoiding probate materially helps.
If you're unsure, start with the will. You can always upgrade later — trust plans assume you already have a will drafted.
What about our plans?
Where Trustwise fits in.
Trustwise ships the will first and the trust later. Our trust plan is on the roadmap — we're doing healthcare directives and financial POAs first because those protect you during life, not just after it.
If you need a trust today and can't wait, a local estate attorney is the right call. We'll tell you that honestly rather than stretch a product that isn't ready.