Wills Vs Trusts

Wills Vs. Trusts in North Carolina

What are the Differences between a Will and a Trust?

 Planning for the future is essential, and two key tools often come into play: Wills and Trusts. Both serve to distribute your assets and provide for your loved ones, but they function very differently, especially when it comes to probate.  

Understanding these differences is crucial for making the best choice for your unique situation.  This page will compare and contrast Wills and Trusts, highlighting why a Trust is often the superior choice for avoiding probate and its associated costs.  

Wills

A Will is a legal document that outlines how you want your assets distributed after your death. It names beneficiaries, designates guardians for minor children, and appoints an executor to manage your estate. While a Will is a fundamental part of estate planning, it has one major drawback: it must go through probate.

Here are some features of a Will:

  1. Probate is required
  2. Distribution of assets must wait for probate to finish
  3. Public record
  4. Limited control after death
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Trusts

A Trust is a legal arrangement where you (the grantor) transfer assets to a trustee, who manages them for the benefit of your chosen beneficiaries.

Trusts can be created during your lifetime (living trusts) or upon your death (testamentary trusts).  The key advantage of a living trust is that it avoids probate. 

Features of a Trust:

  1. Probate is avoided completely
  2. Distribution of assets instantly upon death
  3. Private (not a public record like a Will)
  4. Greater control over property after death
  5. More complex to create; therefore more expensive to set up

We Serve Clients in Raleigh, Wake Forest, Cary, Durham, Chapel Hill, Apex, Holly Springs, Garner, throughout the Triangle and all of North Carolina!

Planning for the future is essential, and two key tools often come into play: Wills and Trusts. Both serve to distribute your assets and provide for your loved ones, but they function very differently, especially when it comes to probate.  

Understanding these differences is crucial for making the best choice for your unique situation.  This page will compare and contrast Wills and Trusts, highlighting why a Trust is often the superior choice for avoiding probate and its associated costs.  

We Serve Clients in Raleigh, Wake Forest, Cary, Durham, Chapel Hill, Apex, Holly Springs, Garner, throughout the Triangle and all of North Carolina! Call (919) 759-6353 today.

  • Accessible Pricing

    Estate planning should be accessible to everyone. Our flat fees are often one-third to one-half the cost of traditional firms—without sacrificing quality or care.

  • Direct Attorney Access

    Every client works directly with attorney Kevin Peach, ensuring personalized guidance and expert insight from start to finish—never passed off to support staff.

  • Transparent Service

    No hidden fees, no pressure tactics. We’re committed to making the process clear, simple, and easy to understand—so you can plan confidently.

  • Rooted in Community

    As a Raleigh native, Kevin Peach brings a local perspective, empowering clients through free webinars and educational resources.

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What Our Clients Are Saying

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    "Highly Recommend"
    Kevin D. Peach, has helped my family with our will and trust. He has made the process clear and easy to understand, and he has finished all necessary documents in a timely manner. I highly recommend him for your needs.
    - Silvia K.
    "Very polite and professional"
    Mr. Peach is very polite and professional. My mother’s passing put my father in a position to have to redo his will and estate. I felt my Dad would be more comfortable at home with this process and Mr. Peach was happy to do so. Great experience.
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    Fastest communication I've had from any attorney I've worked with. Great communication and very quick processing my request.
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    He is very diligent and I would recommend him to anyone in need of estate planning documents for their families.

    - Brett E.
    "Kevin turned something I'd been putting off for a while, into an item marked off my todo list."
    Straightforward, flat pricing was a huge draw for me. Kevin met with me, answered a lot of questions, then we executed the plan. No fuss, no surprises. Kevin turned something I'd been putting off for a while, into an item marked off my todo list.
    - J.W.
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    I highly recommend NC Wills and Trusts for your estate planning needs.

    - Pamela B.
    "Very smooth process."
    I had my Trust/Will prepared by Kevin Peach. Very smooth process. Kevin was a pleasure to work with, very professional and informative, and completed the documents on a timely basis. I highly recommend NC Wills & Trusts to anyone who needs a Living Trust and Will prepared.
    - S.P.