If you have a revocable living trust, you might think you do not need a will at all. But there is a special type of will — called a pour-over will — that serves as an essential safety net for any trust-based estate plan.
How a Pour-Over Will Works
A pour-over will directs that any assets not already in your trust at the time of your death be “poured over” into the trust. This catches any property you may have acquired after setting up the trust but forgot to transfer, or assets that were simply difficult to title in the trust’s name.
Why It Matters
Without a pour-over will, any assets outside your trust at death would pass according to Maryland intestacy laws — not according to your wishes. The pour-over will ensures everything ultimately ends up where you intended, distributed according to your trust’s terms. Note that assets passing through a pour-over will still go through probate, which is why properly funding your trust during your lifetime remains important.
At SoMD Estate Planning, every trust package includes a pour-over will. Contact us to learn more.
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