Back to Insights

Do you actually need a trust?

Not everyone does. For some families, a well-drafted will and powers of attorney are sufficient — and a trust adds cost and complexity without much benefit.

A trust becomes valuable when the estate is significant, when privacy matters, when real estate is held in more than one state, or when the client wants to structure distributions over time rather than outright. It also avoids probate, which in California can be slow and expensive.

The honest answer is: it depends. We look at the specific situation and recommend what fits, not what is trendy.