A will can be used by you to provide for an orderly distribution of your property upon your death. Though this is the device which is best known to most individuals, it is not usually the best mechanism to use for the standpoint of cost, privacy, tax consequences or overall administrative efficiency.

A will ensures that your estate will go through probate. The probate process can be a lengthy and costly process. It will require you to retain an attorney and to file you will as a public record. It will allow others access to information about your personal financial situation that you may not want to disclose.

For most clients, a Living Trust will provide them with:

  • A better protection of their assets
  • A cohesive distribution scheme
  • Easier administration
  • Privacy
  • No attorney involvement
  • Tax advantages

While some people focus on the up front cost of a full estate plan, in the scheme of the entire process, probate is estimated to cost approximately 6-8% of the value of an estate by the time you are done with attorneys, filing fees and experts.

Our typical estate planning package for our clients can give them much needed protection for a fraction of that cost.