Decision tool
Will or trust? Eight questions, one answer.
The internet's worst answer to this question is 'it depends.' Here's a structured way to actually decide. Eight yes/no questions, then a recommendation.
1 / 8
Do you own real estate in more than one state?
If yes, your estate would face ancillary probate (a separate court process in each state). A funded living trust avoids this.
The short version
When does a trust actually pay off?
Trust makes sense when…
- — Real estate in multiple states
- — Net worth above $500k–$1M
- — Privacy matters (no public probate record)
- — You want incapacity planning, not just death planning
- — Special-needs or spendthrift beneficiary
- — Blended family with prior-marriage children
A will is enough when…
- — Most assets pass by beneficiary form already
- — Single home, jointly titled with spouse
- — Simple family — your spouse and your kids inherit cleanly
- — Net worth under ~$500k
- — You're comfortable with probate as the cost of simplicity
Whatever the quiz says, start with the will.
A will is the foundation. Trusts add to it — they don't replace it.