A will and trust put you in control of who cares for your children and where your assets go — instead of leaving it to a probate judge who's never met your family.
Built for H1B, green card, and citizen families — including your US assets as an NRI and ties back to India.
If something happens to both parents without a will, a judge — not you — decides who raises your children. A simple document keeps that choice yours.
Without a trust, your estate can spend months in probate — a public court process with legal fees — before your family sees a rupee or a dollar.
US homes, 401ks, and accounts — plus property back in India — can become a cross-border tangle for your family without the right structure.
Most families need a will. Many also benefit from a trust. Here's how they compare.
| What it does | Will | Living Trust |
|---|---|---|
| Names a guardian for minor children | ✓ Yes — this is where you do it | Needs a will too (pour-over will) |
| Avoids probate | ✗ No — goes through probate court | ✓ Yes — assets pass privately |
| Keeps your affairs private | ✗ No — becomes public record | ✓ Yes — stays private |
| Works if you're incapacitated (not just death) | ✗ No | ✓ Yes — successor trustee steps in |
| Speed of transfer to family | Slow — months in probate | Fast — often weeks |
| Control over how & when assets pass | Limited | High — set conditions & ages |
| Helps with US assets as an NRI | Limited | ✓ Yes — avoids ancillary probate |
| Cost & simplicity | Lower cost, simple | Higher upfront, more setup |
| Best for… | Naming guardians & simpler estates | Avoiding probate, privacy, control & cross-border assets |
Most families use both — a trust to avoid probate, plus a will to name guardians. Start your Will & Trust →
A real estate plan is a small set of documents working together — so your wishes are clear whether you pass away or simply can't make decisions for a while.
Build my plan →Estate planning for immigrant families isn't the same as for everyone else. We help you plan for US assets, accounts, and the realities of having loved ones — and property — on both sides of the world.
Your US home and accounts can face probate even if you've moved back to India. A trust helps your family avoid that.
Naming who raises your kids — and a backup — matters even more when family is split between the US and India.
401ks, IRAs, and life insurance pass by beneficiary form — not your will. We make sure they actually match your wishes.
We help you keep your US plan clean and clear, so it works alongside whatever you have back home.
A few questions about your kids, assets, and wishes — online or in a quick call.
Will, trust, power of attorney, and healthcare directive — done right, in plain English.
You sign, we guide you, and your family is protected. We revisit as life changes.
Especially then. The single most important reason for a young family to have a will is to name a guardian for your children. Without it, if something happens to both parents, a court decides who raises them. It's a 20-minute decision that protects the people who matter most.
A will states your wishes and names guardians, but it goes through probate — a public, often months-long court process. A living trust lets your assets pass to your family privately and quickly, avoids probate, and works even if you become incapacitated. Many families use both together.
US property and accounts can be subject to US probate — and even US estate tax rules — regardless of where you live. Without planning, your family may face a slow cross-border legal process. A properly structured trust and correct beneficiary designations can spare them that.
They pass by beneficiary designation, not your will — which is why those forms must be kept current and consistent with your overall plan. Outdated beneficiaries are one of the most common (and costly) estate mistakes. We review them as part of your plan.
Far less than what probate and legal fees would cost your family without a plan — and most families complete their documents in a single sitting. Start online through our Will & Trust tool, or talk to us first if you'd like guidance.
Name your kids' guardian, avoid probate, and put your wishes in writing — starting today.
Documents created through NetLaw™ — a trusted online estate-planning platform.