A trust is a legal document that, like a will, contains your instructions for what you want to have happen to your assets when you die (or become incapacitated). But, unlike a will, a properly structured and funded trust avoids probate. This eliminates all court involvement and control and allows your family to remain in control of your assets, while keeping everything private and confidential. And, if your estate is large enough that estate taxes are an issue, certain types of trusts may even reduce or eliminate those taxes.