To ensure you receive the best service possible,
please enter your zip code below:
Trusts and wills are essential tools for managing and distributing your assets, but they serve different purposes and come with distinct pros and cons. Wills specify how your assets should be distributed after your death, while trusts allow for asset management both during your lifetime and afterward. Understanding these differences can help you choose the right option for your needs.
Trusts: Provide privacy, greater control during your lifetime and avoid probate, but they require more upfront cost and complexity.
Wills: Simpler and less expensive upfront but must go through probate and become public.
Protect your family
Secure your future and protect your loved ones with exclusive savings on professional trust and will services with AAA.
Estate planning might not be the most exciting topic to discuss over dinner, but it's one of the most crucial steps you can take to protect your family's future. As a AAA Member, you already understand the value of preparation—whether that's carrying roadside assistance coverage or planning your next vacation with detailed maps and travel guides. Now, AAA extends that same commitment to your peace of mind with an exclusive offer on trusts and wills.
AAA Members can now save 25% on professional estate planning services from Trust & Will, including both trusts and wills, plus receive a complimentary 2-year subscription plan to make updates to your documents. This partnership ensures that the same organization you trust for reliable travel assistance can also help you navigate one of life's most important financial decisions.
Estate planning protects more than just your assets—it safeguards your family's stability, preserves your legacy and ensures your wishes are honored. Let's explore how this exclusive AAA benefit can help you create a comprehensive estate plan that brings lasting peace of mind.
A solid estate plan starts with understanding the essential tools at your disposal, including wills, trusts and other key components that form the backbone of your financial future.
A will serves as your final written instructions for how you want your assets distributed after your death. This legal document allows you to name beneficiaries for your property, designate guardians for minor children and appoint an executor to manage your estate. Your will can include everything from real estate and bank accounts to personal belongings and digital assets like your AAA rewards points.
Key components of a will include:
Asset distribution instructions
Guardian appointments for dependents
Executor designation
Specific bequests or charitable donations
Instructions for debt payment and tax obligations
A trust is a legal arrangement where you transfer ownership of your assets to a trustee who manages them according to your specific instructions. Unlike a will, a trust can take effect during your lifetime and continue after your death. The most common type is a living trust, which allows you to maintain control over your assets while you're alive and automatically transfers them to your beneficiaries upon your death.
What is a trust fund? Simply put, it's the collection of assets—money, property, investments—held within the trust structure. These funds are managed by your chosen trustee for the benefit of your designated beneficiaries.
It's important to note that you can have both a trust and a will working together to create a comprehensive estate plan. A will can include a provision known as a "pour-over" clause, which directs any remaining assets not already in the trust to be transferred into it upon your passing. However, a will also addresses personal preferences and details beyond the trust, such as funeral arrangements, the distribution of sentimental personal property like clothing and furniture and appointing guardians for minor children. Together, these tools ensure every aspect of your wishes is covered and executed smoothly.
The choice between a will and trust often comes down to your specific circumstances, but here are the main distinctions:
Probate process: Wills must go through probate court, which can be time-consuming and costly. Trusts typically avoid probate entirely, allowing for faster asset distribution to beneficiaries.
Privacy: Wills become public record during probate, while trusts remain private documents.
Control and flexibility: Living trusts offer more control during your lifetime and can provide detailed instructions for various scenarios. Wills only take effect after death.
Cost and complexity: Wills are generally less expensive to create initially, while trusts require more upfront investment but can save money long-term by avoiding probate costs.
Understand estate planning 101 with our helpful resource guide.
Read MoreEstate planning ensures your assets go exactly where you intend them to go. Without proper documentation, state laws determine asset distribution, which might not align with your wishes. A comprehensive plan lets you specify everything from who inherits your vacation home to how your AAA Membership benefits transfer to family members.
Beyond asset distribution, estate planning protects your family from unnecessary stress during difficult times. Clear instructions eliminate guesswork and potential family disputes. For parents, naming guardians for minor children provides invaluable peace of mind.
Strategic estate planning can significantly reduce tax burdens on your beneficiaries. Certain trust structures offer tax advantages that help preserve more of your wealth for future generations. Professional estate planning services can identify opportunities specific to your financial situation.
Probate can take months or even years to complete, during which your beneficiaries may not have access to inherited assets. Trusts bypass this process entirely, ensuring your loved ones receive their inheritance promptly and without court intervention.
6 things to know about choosing a life insurance beneficiary.
Get The FactsAAA has partnered with leading estate planning professionals at Trust & Will to offer members significant savings on these essential services. This collaboration reflects AAA's commitment to providing comprehensive protection that extends far beyond roadside assistance.
The exclusive AAA Member offer includes:
25% discount on professional trust and will preparation
Complimentary first 2-year plan updates subscription
Access to experienced estate planning attorneys
Comprehensive document review and consultation
Ongoing support for plan modifications
Marriage, divorce, new children, property purchases or significant financial changes all warrant estate plan updates. With your included subscription, you can modify your documents as needed without additional fees.
Setting up your estate plan through AAA's partnership is straightforward and convenient:
The entire process can often be completed online or through phone consultations, making it convenient for busy AAA Members to secure their family's future without disrupting their schedules.
AAA Members love to travel, but unexpected events during trips highlight the importance of proper estate planning. Consider a couple embarking on their dream European vacation—comprehensive estate planning ensures that if something happens during their travels, their assets are protected and their children's guardianship is clearly established.
Digital assets deserve special attention for frequent travelers. Your AAA rewards points, airline miles, hotel loyalty points and other travel-related accounts need specific provisions in your estate plan. Without proper documentation, these valuable benefits might be lost forever.
Many AAA Members own small businesses or have significant investments. Estate planning becomes crucial for business continuity and protecting employees' livelihoods. Proper trust structures can ensure smooth business transitions while minimizing tax implications for heirs.
Modern families often include children from previous relationships, making estate planning more complex but equally important. Clear documentation ensures all children receive the intended inheritance while avoiding potential conflicts between biological and step-relatives.
Financial advisors consistently emphasize that estate planning isn't just for wealthy individuals. Anyone with assets, dependents or specific wishes about their legacy needs proper documentation. The cost of estate planning services is minimal compared to the potential financial and emotional costs of not having a plan.
Estate planning attorneys note that the most common regret they encounter is waiting too long to establish proper documentation. Life is unpredictable, and having a plan in place provides immediate peace of mind for both you and your family members.
AAA's commitment to member education extends beyond this exclusive offer. The AAA Learn Center provides comprehensive articles on estate planning fundamentals, including "Estate Planning 101" and guides on protecting digital assets and loyalty program benefits.
These resources complement your professional estate planning services by providing ongoing education about best practices, legal updates and strategies for maximizing your plan's effectiveness.
Estate planning represents one of the most important gifts you can give your family—the gift of security, clarity and peace of mind. This exclusive 25% discount for AAA Members makes professional estate planning services more accessible than ever.
Don't let another day pass without protecting your family's future. The same organization you trust for reliable roadside assistance and travel planning now offers you significant savings on essential estate planning services. Your family deserves the security that comes with proper planning, and AAA makes it easier and more affordable to achieve.
Estate planning involves organizing and preparing the management and distribution of your assets, finances and personal wishes after you pass away or become incapacitated. It's essential because it ensures your loved ones are taken care of, helps minimize taxes, simplifies the legal process and provides clarity during emotionally challenging times.
Anyone with assets, dependents or specific wishes for how their estate should be managed after their passing should consider creating a will or trust. It’s particularly beneficial for families, property owners or individuals with complex financial or personal needs.
Yes, professional estate planning services ensure that your will or trust is tailored to reflect your personal circumstances, wishes and goals. It allows you to make provisions for guardianship, charitable donations or specific instructions for managing your assets.
Without a will or trust, state laws will determine how your assets are distributed, which may not align with your personal wishes. This process can be lengthy and stressful for your family, leaving loved ones with uncertainty or financial burdens.
It’s advisable to review and update your estate plan regularly, especially after significant life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child or the purchase of property. Regular updates help ensure your plans remain aligned with your current situation and goals.
AAA provides access to professional estate planning services, offering members a 25% discount on trust and will preparation. This exclusive benefit makes it easier and more affordable for families to secure their future through trustworthy legal guidance.
The estate planning services are available to AAA members. If you're a member, you can enjoy discounted rates for creating or updating trusts and wills through partnered professionals.
AAA members benefit from a 25% discount on professional trust and will preparation services. This significant saving makes comprehensive estate planning more accessible and budget-friendly.
Protect your family
Secure your future and protect your loved ones with exclusive savings on professional trust and will services with AAA.
‡Offer valid through 9/02/2025. Offer valid for Classic/Basic Memberships only. Pricing valid at member join only. Offer excludes Motorcycle coverage. Payment of full AAA Membership dues is required upon renewal. Offers, terms, conditions and restrictions apply and are subject to change without notice. Not combinable with any other offer. Offer not valid in FL, GA, MI or PR. A member can add one eligible family member for free for up to one year. Additional Associates are half price. Associate memberships are available to the Primary member’s spouse, one other adult living in the household, and their children living at the same residence or away at school. Associate members must have the same type of membership as their Primary member, with the exception of Motorcycle. Associate membership expires on the renewal date of Primary member.
Upon activation and with proper identification, AAA will provide regular AAA services and full privileges for the new member. Roadside benefits begin three days after payment of dues. Some restrictions apply. Roadside assistance is provided by independent facilities contracted by AAA. Coverage in taxis, limousines and other ride-sharing conveyances is excluded. Visit AAA.com/MemberHandbook for details about member benefits, including any limitations or restrictions. Offers, terms, conditions and policies are subject to change without notice. Savings partners subject to change. Source: 2023 AAA U.S. Market Track national surveys. Includes service vehicles owned by clubs and service vehicles owned by third parties under contract with AAA to provide services to AAA members. Taxes, fees & options excluded. Terms apply. Partners and offers are subject to change and restrictions apply. For a complete list of offers, visit us online at AAA.com/Save or your local AAA office.
