When people come to our office for estate planning, they often start by asking us whether they need a will or a trust.

The very short answer is, of course, that it depends. Wills and trusts are tools. The right tool for each client will depend on the client’s family situation, asset situation, and goals for their plan. Historically, about half of our plans have been will-based plans, and half trusts.

That being said, there are some common reasons to choose one tool over another. This post explains how each option works and the common reasons we might recommend one over another.