Living Trust vs. Will: Understanding the Difference

Are Living Trusts and Living Wills similar? Not really. They are both legal documents and are vital for individuals and families looking to make informed decisions about their estate planning, but that is where the similarity ends. Both documents serve very distinct purposes. 

What is a Living Will?

A Living Will, also known as an advance healthcare directive, is a legal document that outlines an individual’s healthcare preferences regarding medical treatment and end-of-life care if they cannot communicate or make decisions. It focuses on healthcare decisions rather than asset distribution. 

What is a Living Trust?

A Living Trust, or inter vivos trust, is a legal contract created during an individual’s lifetime to protect and manage their assets. Upon the grantor’s death, a successor trustee distributes the assets according to the trust’s terms.

Individuals can have both a Living Trust and a Living Will. They are not mutually exclusive.

The Living Trust Low-down

A Living Trust allows you to maintain control over your assets during your lifetime while guaranteeing the disposition of your estate is more straightforward for your family or other beneficiaries following your death. It’s a powerful real estate tool, benefitting individuals with substantial assets or complex estate planning needs, such as business owners, professionals, or those with blended families. Individuals seeking privacy, incapacity planning, or control over asset distribution may also prefer a Living Trust over a simple will.

A Living Trust is often used instead of a last will and testament—or in combination with one. While both are estate planning tools designed to protect and distribute assets, a will is a legal document that becomes effective only after the testator’s death. The testator designates an executor to execute the will’s instructions and distribute the assets to beneficiaries.

As mentioned earlier, a Living Trust is activated before the grantor’s death, although disbursement of assets also typically happens following their death. Keep in mind that a Living Trust is governed by state law. What might be legal in one state might not be in another. Visit US Legal Forms to get your state-specific Living Will form and/or Living Trust form.

The Pros and Cons of a Living Trust

Probate: One of the primary advantages of a Living Trust is that it allows assets to bypass probate, the legal process of validating a will and distributing assets. Since the trust technically owns the assets, they can be distributed directly to beneficiaries without going through probate court, which can be time-consuming and expensive.

Privacy: A Living Trust offers privacy as it remains a private document and is generally not part of the public record. The distribution of assets and beneficiaries’ identities can remain confidential. Because wills are part of the public record, anyone can access the document upon the testator’s death.

Flexibility and control: A Living Trust enables the grantor to manage assets within the trust, including real estate, investments, bank accounts, and other property, within their lifetime. They can modify or revoke the trust’s terms, change beneficiaries, and manage the assets as the trustee. The grantor can designate a successor trustee to manage the trust if they become unable to do so or pass away.

Incapacity planning: A Living Trust allows for seamless management of assets in case of the grantor’s incapacity. By naming a successor trustee, the trust can provide a smooth transition of control and avoid the need for a conservatorship.

Creating a Living Trust does have its disadvantages, namely cost and complexity.

Establishing a Living Trust can be more expensive than creating a simple will. Legal fees are associated with drafting the trust document, transferring assets into the trust, and its ongoing maintenance. This process requires professional assistance, such as an attorney or a financial advisor, which adds to the initial cost.

Managing a Living Trust requires careful organization and ongoing attention. Assets must be appropriately titled in the name of the trust and new acquisitions promptly transferred to the trust. This complexity can be a burden for some individuals. 

The Pros and cons of a Living Will

A Living Will gives individuals control over their healthcare decisions and ensures their preferences are followed if they cannot communicate. It ensures that an individual’s preferences regarding life support, resuscitation, and other medical interventions are known and respected.

By clarifying a person’s healthcare decisions, a Living Will relieves family members from the burden of making difficult choices during emotionally challenging times.

Living Wills can have oversights—it’s impossible to foresee everything that could happen to you. Plus, while a Living Will may guide medical treatment, it may not encompass every potential scenario. Medical advancements and evolving ethical considerations can render some provisions obsolete or limit their effectiveness.

Therefore, these documents must be broad in covering and mentioning as much specific information as possible to mitigate gaps. Also, some states limit how much they honor healthcare directives from other states, accepting the documents only so far as they comply with their laws. Further complicating the situation, states don’t always publicly acknowledge whether or not they will honor directives from other states, creating a legal gray area.

A Living Will primarily focuses on healthcare decisions and does not address broader estate planning concerns, such as asset distribution or naming beneficiaries. It only occurs when an individual has a terminal condition or is permanently unconscious. It may not cover situations where a person is temporarily unable to make medical decisions but expected to recover.

In conclusion

Both Living Trusts and Living Wills are crucial in comprehensive estate planning, providing individuals with control, peace of mind, and protection. Consulting with an experienced estate planning attorney can help navigate the complexities and ensure the chosen documents align with the individual’s unique needs and objectives.

The good news is that US Legal Forms – a part of airSlate’s portfolio of solutions – has over 85k templates to help users draft legal documents. And the advantage of being in the airSlate family? Whether you need a Living Trust or a Living Will, using our esignature solution airSlate signNow can speed up document turnaround time, enable you to sign legally-binding documents, even on the go, and ensure your peace of mind knowing that your data is secure with industry-leading compliance and advanced threat protection.