Why Having a Trust Can Save Your Family Time, Money, and Stress

monte1018
Aug 13
2 min read

Losing a loved one is never easy. Unfortunately, many families face an additional burden during this already difficult time — probate court.

What Is Probate Court?

Probate court is a legal process that handles a deceased person’s estate. Its main purposes are to:

Settle outstanding debts owed by the deceased
Distribute assets according to a will (or state law if there’s no will)
Manage the estate when there’s no legal plan in place

While probate serves an important function, it’s often slow, costly, and stressful for grieving families.

Why You Should Avoid Probate When Possible

Probate is not a quick process — it can take months or even years to finalize. On top of that, court fees, attorney costs, and administrative expenses can add up fast.

If your loved one passes without the proper legal tools in place, their estate may be tied up in probate, and family members could be left waiting and paying unnecessary costs.

The Power of a Trust

A trust is one of the most effective ways to bypass probate. When assets are held in a trust, they are transferred directly to the beneficiaries without going through court. This means:

Faster distribution of assets
Lower costs
More privacy since probate records are public

Other Steps to Make Life Easier for Your Family

Along with setting up a trust, here are two additional steps that can save time, money, and stress:

Add a joint account holder – If a bank account has another person listed, funds can usually be accessed immediately without probate delays.
Have the conversation now – Talk to your loved ones about their estate plans and encourage them to take action.