Question

What is the difference between a will and a trust in estate planning?

Answer

Both a will and a trust allow you to direct how your assets pass to your heirs, but they differ significantly in process and privacy. A will must go through probate — a public, court-supervised process that comes with associated costs and fees. A trust generally avoids probate, keeps asset distribution private, and gives you more precise control over beneficiary access. While establishing a trust may require more upfront effort — particularly when funding it with assets — it can reduce costs, protect privacy, and potentially lower estate taxes for high-net-worth individuals.

About Mercer Advisors

We exist so you don’t have to worry about money. For more than 40 years, we’ve taken the sophisticated, time-tested approach that many ultra-high net worth individuals use to help manage their financial lives and made it accessible to more families.

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