{"id":287021,"date":"2021-09-22T12:25:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-22T17:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/estate\/planning-an-estate\/estate-planning-vs-wills-vs-trusts-what-s-the-difference.html"},"modified":"2025-09-03T12:25:00","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T17:25:00","slug":"estate-planning-vs-wills-vs-trusts-what-s-the-difference","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/planning-an-estate\/estate-planning-vs-wills-vs-trusts-what-s-the-difference.html","title":{"rendered":"Estate Planning vs. Wills vs. Trusts: What’s the Difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Estate Planning vs. Wills vs. Trusts: What's the Difference?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Linda Long, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Tim Kelly, J.D.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Estate planning is the process of managing your assets and affairs during your life and after your death, which includes creating legal documents like wills and trusts. A will specifies who inherits your assets and names guardians for minors, while a trust manages your assets during your lifetime and can help avoid probate.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Estate planning is the process of deciding who will inherit your property upon your death and giving power to someone you trust to manage your affairs during your lifetime, should you become incapacitated. While estate planning is not the same as making a will, creating a valid legal will is a part of estate planning.<\/p>\n

The estate planning process includes different documents, including a will and various types of trusts. Each of these instruments does specific things. Wills and trusts are limited in their power, meaning that a will cannot do what a trust can do, and a trust cannot do what a will can do. Knowing the difference between these legal documents will help you create a clear and complete estate plan.<\/p>\n

Wills and Trusts Have This in Common<\/h2>\n