When it comes to estate planning, two of the most common tools are wills and living trusts. Both help ensure your assets reach the right people after you’re gone, but they work differently and serve ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Bob Carlson researches all facets of retirement finances. The recent deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa ...

There are certain benefits a living trust offers over a will. Living trusts aren't right for everyone, and there can be higher up-front costs. It's best to work with an estate-planning attorney to see ...

A living trust is a legal arrangement that lets you control your assets while you're alive and pass them along to loved ones. A living trust makes it possible to avoid probate, an often lengthy and ...

This article is intended for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. For guidance on your personal situation, please contact a lawyer. When you work hard your entire life to accumulate ...

A pour-over will is paired with a living trust to manage assets after death. It transfers any remaining assets into the trust instead of distributing them directly. This method prevents state laws ...

Unlike a will, a living trust does not go through probate, which can save time and reduce legal costs. This can help streamline the process of distributing assets to designated beneficiaries without ...

How does it work? What is the purpose of a revocable living trust? The primary role of this type of trust is to provide a comprehensive framework for managing and distributing assets, both during the ...

This article is intended for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. For guidance on your personal situation, please contact a lawyer. Estate planning isn't always a walk in the park, but ...

This article is intended for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. For guidance on your personal situation, please contact a lawyer. Estate planning is one of those things that's ...