What is the difference between a will and a revocable living trust?

A will and a revocable living trust both let you decide who will inherit your assets, but they work very differently. A will only takes effect after you pass away and must go through California’s probate court, which can be time-consuming, costly, and public.

A revocable living trust, by contrast, allows you to transfer your assets into the trust during your lifetime. You remain in control of those assets while you’re alive, and after your death, your chosen successor trustee can distribute them directly to your beneficiaries without going through probate. This process is faster, more private, and generally less expensive.

Most Californians use both tools together—a trust to hold and manage assets during life, and a “pour-over will” to ensure any assets left outside the trust are transferred into it later. Together, they form the foundation of an efficient and comprehensive estate plan.