Retirement accounts follow different rules from other assets you may own. After you die, the people you love most may face unexpected tax burdens if you don’t understand how the rules work.

You trust your spouse completely. But if you're in a blended family and your estate plan simply says "everything goes to my spouse," your own children could end up with nothing - not because anyone meant harm, but because ownership changes everything.

A living trust offers immediate protection and probate avoidance but understanding how it works and whether it fits your goals is essential to making the right choice.