How do you know when a will, living will or living trust is needed?

A will is needed when a person wants to indicate how his property is distributed after his death, says Legal Zoom. A living trust is needed if a person wants to plan for the possibility of his incapacity or to prevent his financial affairs from being public knowledge.

A living will is needed if a person wishes to outline important health care decisions, such as whether or not he wishes to remain on life support should the time come, says Legal Zoom.

When determining whether someone should have a will or living trust, he needs to consider whether or not he wishes his estate to go into probate, explains Legal Zoom.