Will or Trust Quiz | Thomas Prouse Agency

Estate Planning Quiz

Will or Trust — Let's Find Your Starting Point

12Questions

≈3Minutes

0Commitment

Before you begin — a quick note.
This tool is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax, investment, or financial advice. Your results are a general directional guide only. Please consult a licensed estate planning attorney and your financial advisor before making any estate planning decisions.

I understand this tool provides general educational information and is not a substitute for legal advice from an attorney.

Question 1 of 12

Do you own a home?

Real estate is often a person's largest asset. How it transfers at death can be one of the more time-consuming and costly parts of an estate to administer.

Yes

No

I'm not sure

Question 2 of 12

Do you have children under the age of 18?

Minor children cannot legally inherit assets outright. Without planning, a court typically appoints someone to manage assets for them, and the child generally receives everything at the age of majority (18 in most states).

Yes

No

I'm not sure

Question 3 of 12

Do you own a business or have ownership interests in a privately held company?

Business interests often require active management. The probate process can interrupt day-to-day operations and complicate succession or sale.

Yes

No

I'm not sure

Question 4 of 12

Are most of your assets held in retirement accounts (e.g., 401(k), IRA, etc.) with named beneficiaries?

Retirement accounts and other assets with named beneficiaries generally transfer outside the probate process automatically. If most of your wealth is held this way, the probate-avoidance benefits of a trust may be less significant.

Yes

No

I'm not sure

Question 5 of 12

Have you thought about planning for potential incapacity or disability during your lifetime?

Incapacity planning addresses who manages your finances and healthcare decisions if you're unable to. Both will-based and trust-based plans typically include powers of attorney and healthcare directives, but trusts also provide a successor trustee to manage assets seamlessly.

Yes

No

I'm not sure

Question 6 of 12

Do you want to avoid probate?

Probate is the court-supervised process of validating a will and distributing assets. It is typically public, can take many months to over a year, and involves fees that vary by state. Assets held in a properly funded revocable living trust generally bypass probate entirely.

Yes

No

I'm not sure

Question 7 of 12

Do you want to control how and when your beneficiaries receive their inheritance (e.g., at specific ages or after certain milestones)?

A will generally distributes assets outright once probate completes. A trust can hold and distribute assets over time — in stages, at certain ages, or based on milestones you define — all without court supervision.

Yes

No

I'm not sure

Question 8 of 12

Do you own real estate in more than one state?

When someone owns property in multiple states, each state where property is held may require its own probate process — sometimes called ancillary probate. This multiplies time, cost, and administrative burden.

Yes

No

I'm not sure

Question 9 of 12

Is your family a blended family (e.g., children from a prior relationship, second marriage)?

Blended families often have layered intentions — for example, providing for a current spouse while also ensuring children from a prior relationship ultimately inherit. Outright distributions can create unintended outcomes.

Yes

No

I'm not sure

Question 10 of 12

Is keeping the details of your estate private — out of the public court record — important to you?

Probate is generally a public process. Wills filed with the court typically become part of the public record, as can inventories of estate assets. Trusts are usually private documents.

Yes

No

I'm not sure

Question 11 of 12

Do you have a beneficiary who may need additional structure around inheritance (e.g., a disability, special needs, financial inexperience, or other concerns)?

Some beneficiaries benefit from inheritances being held and distributed by a trustee rather than received outright — for example, to preserve eligibility for needs-based government benefits or to provide structure for someone who isn't ready to manage a lump sum.

Yes

No

I'm not sure

Question 12 of 12

Do you have meaningful charitable giving intentions as part of your legacy?

Charitable bequests can be made through either a will or a trust, but trusts offer additional structures (such as charitable remainder or lead trusts) that can serve both charitable and tax-planning goals.

Yes

No

I'm not sure

Your Results

Your Trust Alignment Score

Will-BasedTrust-Based

This quiz is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Estate planning is highly personal. The right solution depends on your full financial picture, state laws, and family circumstances. Always consult a licensed estate planning attorney.

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Will or Trust? Let's FindYour Starting Point.

Will or Trust? Let's Find
Your Starting Point.