Pour-Over Wills and Trust Planning

A Simple Way to Make Sure Nothing Gets Left Out of Your Trust

If you already have a revocable living trust, you’ve taken an important step in protecting your assets and avoiding probate. But what happens to property that was never titled in your trust?

This is where a pour-over will come in. A pour-over will acts as a safety net, ensuring that any assets not already placed in your trust at the time of your death are “poured over” into your trust. It guarantees that your estate plan remains complete and that all of your property ends up where you want it.

Sheridan Lawyers helps clients in Chester County, Delaware County, and Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, create pour-over wills that work seamlessly with their trusts.

What Is a Pour-Over Will?

A pour-over will:

• Works in conjunction with your revocable living trust

• Directs that any assets not previously transferred into your trust will be moved into it after death

• Ensures no property is left out of your estate plan

This document avoids gaps in your planning and guarantees that your trust controls the distribution of all your assets.

Why Combine a Trust With a Pour-Over Will?

Even the most organized people sometimes forget to title an asset in their trust. Life happens. A pour-over will:

• Acts as a safety net to capture forgotten or newly acquired assets

• Simplifies the probate process (though these “left out” assets may still pass through probate briefly)

• Ensure your trust remains the central document for managing your estate

Benefits of a Pour-Over Will

• Completes your estate plan and avoids inconsistencies

• Keeps asset distribution under one document (your trust)

• Protects your loved ones from disputes over “forgotten” property

• Avoids the risk of partial intestacy (property passing by default laws instead of your wishes)

Why Choose Sheridan Lawyers?

• Integrated Planning: We ensure your trust and pour-over will work together seamlessly.

• Tailored Solutions: Every estate plan is unique; we customize your documents to your specific goals.

• Attention to Detail: We review your assets and provide a clear plan for titling and beneficiary designations.

• Peace of Mind: You will know that no asset is overlooked or left to Pennsylvania’s default laws.

Frequently Asked Questions – Pour-Over Wills