--- title: What is the difference between a living will and a trust? description: Looking for the difference between a living will and a trust? Look no further than Legal Faqs! Our latest blog post explains the key differences between these two important estate planning documents. Get the advice you need to make informed decisions about your future. image: https://www.legalfaq.ai/hubfs/LegalFAQ/estate-planning-legal-FAQs.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/what-is-the-difference-between-a-living-will-and-a-trust#main-content) [LegalFAQ.ai](https://www.legalfaq.ai/) - [Home](https://www.legalfaq.ai) - [Blog](https://www.legalfaq.ai/blog) - [FAQ Library](https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/all) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Home](https://www.legalfaq.ai) - [Blog](https://www.legalfaq.ai/blog) - [FAQ Library](https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/all) - [Ask a question](https://www.legalfaq.ai/ask) [Ask a question](https://www.legalfaq.ai/ask) [All posts](https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/all) March 31, 2023 # What is the difference between a living will and a trust? ![Picture of Chris Battis](https://www.legalfaq.ai/hs-fs/hubfs/battis-mug.jpg?width=50&name=battis-mug.jpg) By  [Chris Battis](https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/author/chris-battis)  ·  1 minute read A living will and a trust are two different legal documents that serve different purposes. A living will is a legal document that outlines a person's wishes regarding medical treatment in the event that he or she becomes incapacitated or is unable to make decisions regarding his or her own medical care. A living will typically includes instructions for life-sustaining treatment, such as artificial ventilation or tube feeding, as well as instructions for pain management and organ donation. A living will becomes effective only when the person is unable to make his or her own medical decisions, and it is important to note that a living will is not the same as a power of attorney for healthcare, which is a separate legal document that designates someone to make medical decisions on one's behalf. A trust, on the other hand, is a legal arrangement in which a person transfers assets to a third party, known as a trustee, to be held and managed for the benefit of one or more beneficiaries. The trustee is responsible for managing the assets according to the terms of the trust, which may include provisions for the distribution of income or principal to the beneficiaries, as well as instructions for the management of the trust's assets. A trust can be established during a person's lifetime, or it can be created through a person's will after his or her death. In summary, a living will is a document that provides instructions for medical treatment, while a trust is a legal arrangement for the management of assets. While both documents may be important for estate planning and end-of-life decision making, they serve distinct purposes and should be considered independently of each other. It is important to consult with an experienced attorney in your jurisdiction to determine the specific legal requirements and limitations related to living wills and trusts, and to ensure that any documents you create are legally valid and effective. 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