FAQs

A will is essential for outlining how your assets will be distributed after you pass away. It allows you to appoint guardians for minor children, specify funeral arrangements, and minimize family disputes. Without a will, state laws dictate asset distribution, which may not align with your wishes. Want to create a lawyer-grade will? Sign up on our app today.

A trust includes assets such as real estate, bank accounts, investments, and personal property. It outlines how these assets are managed and distributed during your lifetime and after your death. Also, a trust can specify conditions for distribution and appoint a trustee to oversee asset management. For more guidance, you can chat with Alice, our digital estate expert anytime.

A will outlines asset distribution after death and goes through probate, while a trust manages assets during your lifetime and can bypass probate. Trusts offer more privacy and control over asset distribution, whereas wills are simpler and are usually less expensive to create. Each serves distinct purposes in estate planning so, choose the one that aligns better with your needs.

Yes! Even if you have a trust, a will is still important for a comprehensive estate planning coverage. It can address any assets not included in the trust and appoint guardians for minor children. This "pour-over" will ensures that any remaining assets are transferred to the trust. Want to know more? Feel free to contact us anytime.

A good witness for a will should be an adult of sound mind, not a beneficiary or spouse of a beneficiary. Ideally, they should be impartial and able to attest to the testator's capacity and intent. Having multiple witnesses can also help strengthen the will's validity.

Yes, you can! Naming more than one trustees can provide checks and balances, ensuring that decisions are made collaboratively. However, it’s important to clearly outline each trustee's responsibilities and how decisions will be made to avoid potential conflicts. Need guidance to set up a trust? Sign up on our app today!

To fund your trust, you need to transfer ownership of assets into it. This can include real estate, bank accounts, investments, and personal property. You may need to change titles or beneficiary designations. For further guidance, chat with Alice at your earliest convenience.

No, there are no additional charges when we guide you through the trust funding process. However, you may encounter third-party fees, such as recording fees for real estate transfers or bank fees for changing account titles. It's important to be aware of these potential costs. Feel free to consult our digital estate expert for professional guidance.

A will typically goes through probate, a legal process to validate it and distribute assets. In contrast, a properly funded trust generally doesn’t need probate. Therefore, it leads to quicker and more private asset distribution. However, any assets not placed in the trust may still require probate.

Probate is the legal process through which a deceased person's will is validated, and their assets are distributed according to the will or state law if no will exists. It involves settling debts, paying taxes, and transferring ownership of assets. It is a time-consuming process and usually takes several months to complete and potentially incurring costs.

A revocable trust offers flexibility as it allows you to modify or revoke it during your lifetime. On the other hand, an irrevocable trust cannot be changed once established. Although it is less flexible, it offers increased asset protection and potential tax benefits. The choice between them depends on your financial goals and desired control over your assets.

Yes, you can! Life changes, such as marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child, may necessitate revisions. Regularly reviewing and updating your will and trust ensures they reflect your current wishes and circumstances. With our simple and easy processes, you can easily update your legal documents without any hurdle.

If you don’t have a will, state laws will determine how your assets are distributed upon your death, which may not align with your wishes. Additionally, without a will, the court will appoint guardians for minor children. Creating a will is essential to ensure your preferences are honored. Take the right step today and secure your loved ones future before its too late – create your lawyer-grade online estate plan with BetterEstate.

Yes, you can! We allow you to revoke your will at any time while you are alive and mentally competent. This can be done by creating a new will that explicitly states the previous one is revoked. Additionally, it’s important to ensure your intentions are clear to avoid confusion.

Yes, they are! We know that compliance with legal requirements is crucial for the enforceability of your estate planning documents. This is why our wills and trusts are crafted to comply with state-specific laws and relevant legal regulations. This typically involves signing the documents in the presence of witnesses and notarization.