Frequently Asked Questions

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Common events that should encourage you to make or update your will or estate plan include:

•  ❤️ marriage 
•  🧸 birth or adoption of a child 
•  ⚰️ death of a close family member
•  💈created or purchased a business
•  💔 divorce 

Common reasons people create a will or estate plan include:

• want to increase spouse’s share of estate 
• want to nominate a guardian for your children 
• want to ensure extended family and/or friends receive from you 
• want to exclude close family or reduce amount to spouse 
• want specific items to be given to certain people 
• want to donate to a charitable or civic cause
• to express themselves; provide notes of appreciation, etc. to family and friends 

A will is a legal document that outlines how your assets will be distributed after your death. A trust, on the other hand, is a legal arrangement in which you transfer ownership of your assets to a trustee, who manages them on behalf of your beneficiaries. Often, you (the person who created the trust) will manage and continue  to own the trust property until your death or incapacity.

A trust can help you avoid probate and may offer tax benefits, but may limit accountability for self-dealing compared to probate.