Do I need both a will and a trust?
For most California homeowners, a revocable living trust is the preferred planning vehicle because it allows your estate to avoid the probate process entirely. A will alone cannot accomplish this — it is, in fact, a ticket straight to probate court.
A complete estate plan typically includes both a trust and a pour-over will (to capture any assets inadvertently left outside the trust), along with supporting documents such as powers of attorney and a health care directive.
