Do You Need a Last Will & a Living Trust?

The short answer to whether you “need” a last will or a living trust is no, you are not legally required to have either. However, it is in your best interests to have a last will, and it may also be beneficial to have a living trust in some circumstances.

A will is a legal document through which you can express how you wish to distribute your property upon your death. This is especially important if you intend to leave property to somebody besides a spouse or blood relative, such as a domestic partner, friend or charity. You can also name a guardian for your children or pets. A valid will is one of the best means of ensuring that your intentions are honored upon your death.

If you die intestate — without a will — the court will determine how your property is distributed. Although every state has its own laws concerning succession of inheritance, generally, the court passes property first to your spouse and children. If you have no spouse or children, the property might go to parents or siblings, or the next closest biological relative. If you have no living biological relatives, your property will most likely go to the state.

If you have minor children, the will provides you an opportunity to make decisions about their future care. You can name a guardian for your children in your will. This is especially crucial if you are a single parent or if both parents die in a common incident. If you do not name a guardian, the court will appoint a guardian for your children and might make a decision with which you would not agree. You can also make arrangements for your pets’ care in your will, including naming a guardian who will take responsibility for your pets’ care.

Although not required, sometimes a living trust is an appropriate method of organizing your assets. A living trust allows your beneficiaries to avoid probate, a sometimes long and expensive process. On the other hand, establishing a living trust initially costs you money. You must carefully follow procedure for setting up a valid living trust. If you have failed to properly set up a living trust and the court rules that your living trust is invalid, and you do not have a last will, the court might rule that you died intestate, in which case the court will make decisions regarding your property distribution.

Read More: Advantages & Disadvantages of a Last Will Vs. a Living Trust

In cases in which all of your property is owned in joint tenancy, you might not require a last will or a living trust. Joint tenancy provides full ownership of the property to all joint tenants. If you establish joint tenancy solely for the purpose of avoiding probate, consider how the arrangement affects you during your lifetime. Consider such issues as the rights of creditors of all joint tenants to make claims to the property, the possible obligations of divorces and child support payments of the other joint tenants, and the ultimate right of ownership of each joint tenant. Consult a lawyer to make sure you've covered all points required for a living trust.