Virginia Estate Lawyers

A will details the allocation of assets after you die and a living trust is valid while you are still living, as a trust attorney Roseville CA trusts can explain. Although it is popularly believed to be the best, or only, option to assure your loved ones receive their inheritance, a will may not be the right one for you. Having a will means that your family will be involved in the probate process which can result in unnecessary fees. A living trust’s costs upfront are higher than a will’s, but it doesn’t involve probate which makes it more affordable. However, there is an exception. A few states will allow a quicker, more simple probate process if the amount the estate is worth is under a specific quantity. The quantity limit depends on the state. Living trusts are different from wills in that they become valid while you are still alive after your property is put into the trust and the proper documents are executed, then you manage the assets. As well as being affordable because of the avoidance of probate, a living trust gives you control of the assets during life and after death. A living trust is also not public record and you can establish a living trust no matter the size of the estate. A living trust can be faster than a will and is more specific than assigning a power of attorney in a will. Make sure to include all assets in your living trusts including stocks, mutual funds, bonds and real estate. This is the easiest way to avoid probate. 

Designate Beneficiaries

It is beneficial to consider a living trust if you have children that you want to list as beneficiaries of your estate. If you do not list those beneficiaries, then your spouse automatically receives your assets. If you have remarried or have children from a previous relationship that ended in divorce, then you may want to designate the proper beneficiaries so your estate goes to the people you intended.  If listed as trustees, your children can invest their share however they like. They also may take money out of the estate for living expenses. Their inheritance is protected from creditors and ensures safety from future bankruptcy filings as well. A will does not afford the same protection. It is never too soon to begin thinking about how to take care of your family after you pass on.

Thanks to our friends and contributors from Yee Law Group for their insight into the difference between a will or a living trust.