What is the difference between a will and a trust?

A will and a trust are both essential parts of an estate plan in Illinois. Both documents are important tools to help protect your assets and ensure that they are distributed in accordance with your wishes. However, there are some key differences between these two documents. A will is a legal document that outlines how you would like your assets to be divided after you pass away. Through this document, you are able to designate who will receive your property, who will be in charge of distributing assets, and who will be the guardian of your children. A trust, on the other hand, is an arrangement where you appoint someone to act on your behalf in managing certain assets for the benefit of named beneficiaries. Through a trust, you can transfer property into a separate account and distribute it according to the terms of the trust. A trust can provide a great deal of flexibility in terms of how assets are managed, and it can also provide important tax advantages. In summary, a will is a document in which you designate how you would like your property to be distributed after you pass away. A trust, on the other hand, is an arrangement in which you appoint someone to manage certain assets and distribute them according to the terms of the trust. Both documents are essential for an adequate estate plan in Illinois.

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