Do I still need a will if I already have a living trust?
Yes. A living trust and a will work together. You still need a 'pour-over' will as a backup that catches any assets you forgot to transfer into the trust and directs them into it at death. More importantly, only a will can name a guardian for your minor children; a trust cannot do this. The will also names an executor to handle anything outside the trust and to file the final paperwork with the court. Think of the trust as holding and distributing the bulk of your assets privately, while the will is the safety net and the vehicle for guardianship. Having a trust without a pour-over will leaves a dangerous gap for any stray asset.
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