Wills

Why a Will Might Be Better Than a Trust

Many clients ask us whether they “need a trust.” While a Living Trust can be useful in certain situations, the truth is this: a Will is often simpler, more flexible, and more cost-effective—especially for individuals or families with modest estates or uncomplicated goals.

Benefits of Using a Will Instead of a Trust:

• No need to retitle assets during your lifetime
• Lower upfront legal and administrative costs
• Simple updates when your wishes change
• Complete control of your assets while you’re living
• Ideal for individuals who prefer a straightforward plan

At Strategic Estate Planning, we help you weigh your options honestly and guide you toward the right solution based on your goals—not one-size-fits-all advice.

Pour-Over Wills: Protecting Trust-Based Plans

Even if you have a Living Trust, you still need a Pour-Over Will. This type of Will acts as a safety net, transferring any assets you forgot to put into your trust at death. Without it, those assets could be left out of your estate plan entirely.

In addition, a guardian for minor children can only be legally nominated through a Will—not a Trust. This is a critical reason every parent should have a Will, regardless of what other documents are in place.

Living Wills and Medical Directives

A Living Will is not about property—it’s about peace of mind. This document communicates your wishes about life-sustaining treatment if you are ever:

• Permanently unconscious
• Terminally ill
• Unable to make or communicate your own decisions

When combined with a Power of Attorney for Healthcare, your Living Will ensures that your family and doctors clearly understand your medical preferences. It avoids confusion, guilt, and costly court intervention in moments of crisis.

Why Work With Strategic Estate Planning?

We take a modern, strategic approach to Wills and estate planning. We don’t just hand you boilerplate documents—we create customized plans designed for your life, your assets, and your family’s future.

Located in Lake Bluff, IL, our firm serves clients across Lake County, Cook County, and throughout the North Shore. Whether you’re looking to create a new Will or update an existing one, we’ll guide you with confidence, compassion, and clarity.

Other content…

Wills

A Will, also called a Last Will and Testament, is one of the most important legal tools you can have in your estate plan. At Strategic Estate Planning, we believe that a well-drafted Will gives you the control, clarity, and peace of mind you deserve.

A Will directs who will receive your assets after your death. It also names an Executor—the person you trust to carry out your instructions. If you have children under 18, your Will is where you name a guardian to care for them and manage any inheritance they receive. This is one of the most critical reasons every parent needs a Will. Even if a surviving parent is still living, naming a backup guardian ensures your wishes are clear should anything unexpected happen.

Why Choose A Will?

A common misconception is that everyone should avoid probate by using a Trust. But for many people, a Will is not only sufficient—it’s the better choice. A Will does not require you to retitle or transfer property during your lifetime. This makes it simpler and more cost-effective, especially for clients who want to maintain full control of their assets while they are alive.

Wills also make it easier to manage personal items, real estate, and other individually owned property. You don’t have to update titles or move assets into a trust just to ensure they’re covered. For many families, a Will offers all the protection and guidance they need—without the additional layers of complexity and administration that can come with a Trust.

Pour-Over Wills And Guardianship

Even if you do have a Living Trust, you still need a Pour-Over Will. This ensures that any assets left outside of your trust at death are gathered and “poured over” into the trust. A Will is also the only document that allows you to legally nominate a guardian for your minor children. That nomination must be made in a Will—it cannot be done in a Trust.

Living Wills

A Living Will is a separate document that addresses your medical wishes—not your property. It outlines the types of care you do or do not want if you are permanently unconscious, terminally ill, or otherwise unable to speak for yourself. Combined with a Power of Attorney for Healthcare, it ensures that your voice is heard even when you cannot speak.