Wills & Trusts for the Decisions That Matter.

A will can state who you want to receive property that passes through the will after your death. It can also nominate a guardian for a minor child and name the person you would like to handle the estate.

• Name beneficiaries for property governed by the will
• Nominate guardians and provide guidance for minor children
• Name an executor to gather property, address obligations, and carry out the instructions

A trust is a legal arrangement in which a trustee manages property for one or more beneficiaries under written terms. Depending on the type of trust and how it is funded, it may support management during life, planning for incapacity, or distribution after death.

• Set rules for how property is managed or distributed
• Give a trustee directions for supporting a beneficiary
• Coordinate with ownership, beneficiary designations, and other documents

Probate is the court-supervised process used to validate a will, appoint authority, identify property, address obligations, and distribute assets that pass through the probate estate. Some property may pass outside probate through a beneficiary designation, joint ownership, or a trust.

People commonly explore wills, trusts, or both when they are buying a home, welcoming children, entering a second marriage, building a business, or simply realizing that loved ones should not have to guess what to do.

An executor handles the administration of a probate estate. A trustee manages trust property under the trust terms. Those roles can be filled by the same person or by different people, depending on the plan and the relationships involved.

There is no single tool that is always best. A will, trust, beneficiary designation, and power of attorney should be considered together so the plan reflects both legal documents and practical ownership.