What is a pour-over trust?

A pour-over trust is a type of estate planning tool commonly used in California. It is designed to move assets from a deceased person’s estate to a trust, usually after their death. This type of trust serves two main purposes. First, it allows you to avoid probate. Probate is a court process used to authenticate a will, settle estate debts and distribute the remaining assets to the beneficiaries outlined in the will. By using a pour-over trust, you do not need to go through the probate process since all of the assets will be held in the trust instead. Second, a pour-over trust can serve as a “catch-all” for all of the assets that were not specifically outlined in the will. For example, if you neglected to mention a particular asset in your will, it will be automatically transferred to the trust and distributed according to the terms of the trust. Overall, a pour-over trust is a useful tool for those wishing to avoid probate and ensure that their wishes are carried out after they pass away. This type of trust can provide peace of mind to those looking for a secure way to manage their estate.

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