Why “Just a Will” Is Never Enough

By Shane Jasmine Young

When most people think about estate planning, the first thing that usually comes to mind
is a Will. In fact, when clients first reach out to me, many say they don’t need anything
complicated—they just want a simple Will. And that makes sense, considering how
often Wills are portrayed in TV shows and movies, complete with dramatic readings and
family drama. But while Wills are often seen as the go-to estate planning tool, relying
solely on a Will can lead to major issues down the road.

The truth is, although a Will is an important part of any estate plan, it’s far from being a
complete solution. If you only have a Will in place, you’re almost guaranteeing that your
loved ones will face a drawn-out, expensive, and stressful court process (known as
probate) when you pass away. Worse yet, a Will doesn’t even come into effect unless
you die—it offers no help if you become incapacitated due to illness or injury. That
means if you’re temporarily or permanently unable to manage your own affairs, your
family could still have to go to court just to get the authority to help you.
So, what should you do instead?

Don’t Just Get a Will—Get a Complete Estate Plan
A Will can still serve an important purpose, but it should never be your entire estate
plan. In fact, in a well-designed plan, your Will might only serve as a backup. The key to
a truly effective estate plan is using multiple tools that work together to protect you and
your family.

One of the most powerful tools you can use is a Trust. Unlike a Will, a Trust allows your
assets to pass directly to your loved ones without the need for probate court. It also
allows the people you choose to immediately take over management of your finances if
you’re incapacitated. Additionally, Trusts provide privacy—anything in your Trust stays
out of the public record, keeping your financial affairs confidential.

Even with a Trust in place, a simple Will is still useful as a backup tool. It acts as a
safety net to catch any assets you may have forgotten to put into your Trust, ensuring
everything gets passed on according to your wishes.

But even that’s not enough. One of the most overlooked yet essential parts of any
estate plan is an up-to-date inventory of your assets. Without it, your family might have
no idea what you own or how to find it. A comprehensive inventory ensures that your
loved ones can access what you’ve left behind—without stress or confusion.

If you’re ready to create a plan that truly protects your family, I invite you to schedule a
Life and Legacy Planning Session. Together, we’ll review your assets, the people you
love, and what would happen if something happened to you. Then, we’ll build a plan that keeps your family out of court, out of conflict, and supported when they need it
most.

Visit our website to get started: https://www.younglawlive.com/ondemand