Plan for the unexpected.
A living trust can let a successor trustee manage trust assets if you become unable to do so.
← Giving GuideGiving can start with
Trusts & wills
Giving can start with
friends and family.
Caring for the people closest to you is a meaningful kind of giving. A thoughtful estate plan can carry that care forward and leave room for the causes you love.
U.S. estate-planning basics · Reviewed October 23, 2026
Causes you love
Friends & family
You
A little planning. A wider circle of care.A plan is an act of care
More clarity for you.
Less guesswork for them.
A trust lets a trustee manage property for beneficiaries under instructions you set. Depending on its design, it can help in several ways.
Give on a thoughtful timeline.
Arrange ongoing support or distributions over time, instead of leaving every beneficiary an immediate lump sum.
Simplify the handoff.
Assets properly transferred into a living trust can generally pass without probate, the court process for administering an estate.
Keep more details private.
Trust administration is generally more private than probate. Required disclosures and court disputes can still bring information to light.
Learn more: ABA: revocable trusts (opens a new tab) · California court: living-trust basics (state example) (opens a new tab)
Two tools, different jobs
A will, a trust, or both?
The right starting point depends on your people, property, and state. Many plans use both.
| What it does | Will | Revocable living trust |
|---|---|---|
| Directs property | Specifies who receives assets governed by the will after death. | Governs assets held in the trust during life and after death. |
| Names a guardian | Can nominate a guardian for minor children, subject to court approval. | Does not replace a will’s guardian nomination. |
| Plans for incapacity | Does not manage assets during your lifetime. | Can provide for a successor to manage trust assets. |
| Addresses probate | Does not itself avoid probate. | Generally avoids probate for assets properly held in the trust. |
| Needs follow-through | Proper signing, storage, and updates. | Proper signing, funding, administration, and updates. |
Beneficiary designations on accounts and insurance can operate separately from a will. A pour-over will can direct remaining probate assets into a trust. That transfer can still require probate.
Sources: ABA: introduction to wills (opens a new tab) · California court: funding and administering a trust (opens a new tab)
Know your options
Different trusts.
Different kinds of care.
These are common categories to discuss with an estate-planning attorney. They can overlap: a trust may be both irrevocable and designed for a particular purpose.
Flexibility during your lifetime
Revocable living trust
Generally lets you change the plan while you have capacity, with provisions for managing and distributing trust property.
Keep in mind: funding is essential. Probate avoidance is different from tax savings.
Read the ABA overview (opens a new tab)A more lasting commitment
Irrevocable trust
Limits your ability to change the arrangement or take assets back. Certain designs address tax or asset-protection goals.
Keep in mind: results depend on structure and law. Giving up control is a significant decision.
Understand the distinction (opens a new tab)Instructions through your will
Testamentary trust
Created through a will after death, often to manage an inheritance over time for children or other beneficiaries.
Keep in mind: it does not bypass the probate process for the will’s assets.
Learn about trusts in wills (opens a new tab)Support for a person with a disability
Special needs trust
Can provide support while accounting for means-tested benefits such as SSI and Medicaid.
Keep in mind: the source of funds, trust terms, and payments affect eligibility. Some arrangements require Medicaid repayment. Get specialist advice.
Read Social Security’s guidance (opens a new tab)Income first, charity later
Charitable remainder trust
An irrevocable arrangement that pays you or other beneficiaries for a permitted term, with the remainder going to charity.
Keep in mind: strict payout and tax rules apply. Beneficiary payments may be taxable.
Read the IRS overview (opens a new tab)Charity first, loved ones later
Charitable lead trust
Pays a charity for a set period, then passes remaining property to noncharitable beneficiaries, such as family.
Keep in mind: deductions and transfer-tax treatment depend on the design. This needs professional planning.
Read the IRS explanation (opens a new tab)This is an overview, not a complete list or a recommendation of a particular trust. Specialized trusts are not necessarily available through online estate-planning services.
Let your care reach a little further
Your people. Your values.
A place for both.
Start with the people who depend on you. Then consider whether there is room in your plan for a community, a cause, or an organization that has mattered in your life.
A gift in your will or trust.
Ask your adviser about leaving a specific amount, a particular asset, or a share of what remains after other commitments.
Use the charitable-gift checklist →A beneficiary designation.
Some accounts and policies allow a charity as a beneficiary. Review the institution’s forms, your loved ones’ needs, and the tax implications together.
Prepare for the conversation →A charitable trust.
A remainder or lead trust can support people and charity at different times. Weigh its complexity and ongoing costs against your goals.
Compare the structures ↑You do not need a charitable trust to leave a charitable gift. And caring for friends and family is meaningful giving in its own right.
Background: ABA: wills and beneficiaries (opens a new tab) · IRS: remainder trusts (opens a new tab) · IRS: lead trusts (opens a new tab)
Begin with a conversation
Who do you want
to take care of?
You do not need all the answers to start. Bring these notes to an estate-planning professional familiar with your state.
Find a cause to include in your plans →- Name your people. Include family, friends, chosen family, dependents, and anyone whose care needs extra planning.
- Gather the whole picture. List property, accounts, debts, existing documents, and beneficiary designations.
- Choose who could help. Discuss potential executors, trustees, and guardians with those you have in mind.
- Make room for your values. If including a charity, confirm its legal name, EIN, and gift-acceptance details directly.
- Ask about the follow-through. Cover signing, funding, fees, document storage, and review after major life changes.
Put your learning to use
A helpful next step.
Explore services and resources that may fit your plans.
Think beyond this year
Plan a lasting gift.
If you are considering a gift through your estate, start by understanding your options. Trust & Will offers online estate-planning services. Check which services fit your circumstances and state.
Start with Trust & Will (opens a new tab)
Continue on Trust & Will.
These links open external websites. Check each provider’s services, prices, terms, and privacy policy. Charity Clarity does not provide tax or legal advice.
A few common questions.
Do I need to be wealthy to make a plan?
No. Begin with who depends on you and what you want to make clear. Whether a trust is worth its cost depends on your circumstances. A will and coordinated beneficiary designations may be a useful starting point.
Can I provide for a friend or chosen family?
Estate documents can name people who might not inherit under a state’s default rules. Discuss legal rights of spouses and dependents, and any restrictions that apply, with your attorney.
Does a trust replace every other document?
No. You may still need a will, financial powers of attorney, and health-care directives. Coordinate the documents and account beneficiaries with your adviser.
Is a gift to family a charitable tax deduction?
No. Gifts to individuals are not deductible as charitable contributions. Other gift or estate tax rules may apply. See IRS charitable-deduction guidance (opens a new tab).
General U.S. education, not personal legal or tax advice. State law and individual circumstances control. Charity Clarity does not draft estate documents. Trust & Will is an external provider. Compare its current services, state availability, professional support, and total fees before choosing.