Trust vs. Will: What's the Difference?

One offers ease, and the other can take care of the complexities of your estate

A couple looking over documents
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Wills and trusts are both estate-planning documents that provide direction for your family and loved ones after your death. However, you might think of them almost like vehicles. A will is a simple bike that can take you from one place to another. A trust can transform into a car, truck, bus, or semi-truck, designed to achieve your goals. It can perform various functions and carry multiple loads (responsibilities).

“A will answers, ‘How do you give your assets to someone when you die?’ ” said certified financial planner Bryson Roof of Fort Pitt Capital Group of Pennsylvania and Florida. “A trust can be used in the same fashion, but tends to be used for more complex situations or when someone wants to retain a level of control. To me, trust equals control.”

What’s the Difference Between a Trust and a Will?

Wills and trusts may seem similar, but they are means to accomplish different goals. Here’s how they differ.

   Will  Trust
Purpose  Assign a guardian, divide assets Very flexible but provides more control over assets
When It Takes Effect After death Varies
Probate Court Almost always goes through probate court May be able to avoid probate court
Cost To Create $395-$1,000 $850-$3,050

Purpose

A will is a document intended to simply divide your assets and explain whom you wish to take care of your child if you die. For example, a will outlines who should be provided guardianship, or custody, of any minor children if both parents die. You can also name the person you want to handle your financial affairs after death.

A trust is a way to transfer your assets but can serve various functions, depending on the trust type and what the attorney includes. The uses of a trust can include:

  • Minimizing estate taxes
  • Protecting beneficiaries from creditors
  • Preserving assets for minors until they’re adults or reach specific ages
  • Benefiting a charity
  • Managing property in multiple states
  • Providing for a special needs child

As an example, Roof said parents often use a trust if a young adult is involved. “If you have a kid in college, do you really want them to inherit a million dollars and blow it on cars, gas, and motorcycles?” Roof said. A trust can stipulate that the money is given out in chunks at ages 18, 25, and 35. Or you can insert rules stating that funds must be used for health, maintenance, education and support, he said.

Note

There are two main trusts: revocable and irrevocable living trusts. Each type of trust has different advantages and disadvantages.

When It Takes Effect

A will becomes effective at death. If you’re incapacitated through mental or physical disability, the will won’t yet be accessible or effective in court.

In contrast, a trust can be set up so it takes effect even while you’re alive. For example, you can set up a trust so money, property, and other assets can be managed by someone else if you’re sick or incapacitated. A trust can also kick in after you have passed away or lost mental capacity. Trusts are far more flexible with regard to when they take effect.

Probate Court

A will must almost always go through probate court to ensure the will’s validity. The probate process will be publicly available information. Probate court can be expensive and take longer. Assets in each state must go through probate in that state.

Note

Some states, such as Minnesota, define the value of smaller estates that need not go before probate court.

Costs To Create

A will is simpler and less expensive to create and administer compared to a trust. Some firms may charge $395 to around $1,000 to create a will for a single person. Pricing depends on your situation and if your will package contains items such as a health care or financial power of attorney.

 A trust requires more of an attorney’s time to discuss options that apply to your situation, then draft a document. The typical estimated cost to create a trust could vary widely depending on your situation and what you want the trust to accomplish. Expect to see pricing anywhere between $850 and $3,050 for a single person.

Of course, you can also use online will and trust sites to create the documents for $0 to $200, although there is controversy about DIY wills and how valid these documents may be.

Note

If you hire a professional trustee to manage a revocable living trust while you’re alive, that person will also likely charge a fee of around 0.5%-2.0% of the total property amount in the trust.

“​​You can elect to have a family member such as your mother or daughter to manage your trust, and they may not charge a fee,” Roof said. “We often see this with aging parents in nursing homes, and a son or daughter will manage the trust on behalf of their parents without charging a fee.”

Special Considerations

Some assets may not need to go through probate, even if you only have a will. For example:

  • Joint bank accounts and jointly held property
  • Bank, retirement, life insurance, and other accounts where the deceased named someone as a beneficiary
  • Some property, depending on how it’s titled

Note

Transfer-on-death deeds available in many states can transfer property to someone you name, after your death.

Which Is Right for Me?

Each person’s circumstances are different and there is no set formula for deciding which route you should take. However, there are some questions you can ask yourself, and those answers can guide you into choosing between a will or a trust.

A simple will may be right for you if you:

  • Want to choose who handles your affairs after death
  • Have children and want to decide on their future guardians
  • Want to direct where your assets go after death versus the state (if you have no will)
  • Don’t have many or complicated assets

Some type of trust may be right for you if you:

  • Want to appoint a trustee to manage your assets, even while you’re alive
  • Have assets in multiple states
  • Are concerned about privacy
  • Want more control over how and when assets are distributed
  • Are concerned about an adult child’s spending
  • Have a loved one who is special needs, or not a U.S. citizen
  • Hope to provide your beneficiaries with easier, faster access to your assets

Note

Some attorneys may also suggest a trust for nursing-home planning, tax planning, or gift planning.

A Best-of-Both Worlds Option

Many people could benefit from having both a will and a trust. The right vehicle(s) for you depends on your situation, state law, and what you hope to achieve after your death.

In fact, you can establish a trust within a will, and name your trustee for those trusts. Even if you set up a revocable trust—which can be seen as similar to a will—you’ll likely still set up what’s called a “pour over” will to address any assets you didn’t address and to establish a guardian for your minor child.

Most attorneys have a package deal for estate planning, Roof said. This includes:

  • Last will and testament and a trust, if necessary
  • Medical power of attorney
  • Advanced medical directive
  • Financial power of attorney

The Bottom Line

A trust can be a powerful tool to manage your financial legacy in this lifetime and after you die. A will is a more straightforward tool to distribute your assets and request a specific person for guardianship of a minor child.

Depending on your situation, you may choose one or both—but it’s wise to consult on an appropriate approach. Without a will or trust, your state’s courts may be making all the big decisions. “Typically, the way the state deems your assets to be distributed is not the way you intended,” Roof said.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I change my trust or will?

You can always make changes to a will or revocable trust by following your state’s laws regarding changes. Crossing out sections probably won’t hold up in court. You should consider updating your will in the event of a significant life change, moving to a new state, tax-law change, or your property’s value and type change dramatically. You cannot change or revoke an irrevocable trust, which is why it’s rarely used.

Can I make my own will or trust?

Numerous forms and online services offer DIY wills and trust-making, and some states allow holographic wills that are handwritten. However, if you don’t follow state law, your will may not be followed, and your property may not go to the people you wish. Only an experienced attorney can ensure your estate plans achieve your goals and don’t run afoul of state laws.

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Sources
The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. IRS. "Abusive Trust Tax Evasion Schemes - Questions and Answers."

  2. American Bar Association. "Probate Process."

  3. American Bar Association. "Guidelines for Individual Executors & Trustees."

  4. Office of the Minnesota Attorney General. “Probate and Planning: A Guide to Planning for the Future,” Page 7.

  5. New York State Unified Court System. "Last Will and Testament."

  6. North Carolina State Bar Legal Assistance for Military Personnel. "Setting the Record Straight on Living Trusts."

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