Information / Education

Do I Need a Will or a Trust?

  • October 2025
  • By Anné Desormier- Cartwright, JD, Esq.

Yes, everyone needs a will, a trust, or both. These tools ensure that your legacy will be carried out according to your wishes after your passing. A properly prepared trust can also help avoid probate, a public and often expensive court process that becomes necessary when you fail to plan.

      Wills and trusts are not just for the wealthy: People with any asset level can benefit from having a clear plan to protect their loved ones, avoid unnecessary legal hurdles, and ensure that their wishes are honored. Even if your savings are modest, these planning tools provide peace of mind and control over what happens after you are gone.

      Creating a will or a trust should be a priority for several important reasons, including the following:

Digital Accounts

      Almost everyone has at least one account or digital presence online: photos in the cloud, emails, social media profiles, online shopping accounts, online payment platforms, and online banking accounts.

Maintaining Control of Your Legacy and Protecting Beneficiaries

      Estate planning helps ensure that your money and property are distributed per your wishes after your death, especially in second marriages. Your estate plan can also protect your beneficiaries’ inheritance from claims by divorcing spouses, creditors, or pending lawsuits.

      Questions about your estate plan? Call our office at 561-694-7827 and schedule a consultation. Elder & Estate Planning Attorneys PA, 480 Maplewood Drive, Suite 3, Jupiter, FL

      The content of this article is general and should not be relied upon without reviewing your specific circumstances by competent legal counsel. Reliance on the information herein is at your own risk, as it expresses no opinion by the firm on your legal needs. An attorney client relationship is not created through the information provided.