A will is often enough when
You rent, or your savings already name a beneficiary.
Wills
A clear record of what matters to you.
A will says who receives your property, names an executor, and lets parents name a guardian for children under 18.
What a will does well
A will gives your family a written guide when they need it most. It can name the people you trust to carry out your wishes and, for parents of minors, the guardian you would choose.
- Names an executor to handle the estate
- Directs who should receive property
- Names a guardian for minor children
- Works alongside powers of attorney and health care documents
A will is an important part of a plan, but property that passes through a will still goes through probate court.
When a will package may fit
The Will Package is often a good fit for people who rent or whose savings are mostly in accounts that already name a beneficiary. Claire will talk through your circumstances before recommending a plan.
The package includes a will, durable power of attorney, advance health care directive, HIPAA authorization, and a signing meeting with witnesses and a notary.
See the Will PackageA direct comparison
Will or trust?
A trust is usually worth it when
You own a home in California. Probate here is public, often takes 12 to 18 months, and on a $900,000 estate the fees set by state law come to over $20,000 for the attorney and the same again for the executor.