Charge of your estate and govern it for your children. For example, a will is executed and will divide property among your children. It could also say that you want the kids to go to your sister. But it can't appoint a trustee to take care of the estate and administer your property for the be fit of the kids.

A trust can keep the estate together, set up the governing factors that trustees should employ when it comes to distributions from the estate for the kids, and basically anything else you want to do. Many trusts in our community dictate that the trust will provide for educational expenses, missions, etc., and then a final distribution at some predetermined age (21, 25, 30, etc.).

Wills are also subject to probate court where interested parties may fight over your estate or kids.

Trusts bypass probate altogether.