privacy

Want Privacy? Use a Trust

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Do you really want your nosy neighbor knowing your business? Or Aunt Maggie discovering that your favorite uncle got an inheritance—but she didn’t? If you rely solely on a will, your estate plan becomes a matter of public record. That means anyone—from relatives to telemarketers—can walk into the courthouse and see exactly what you left behind and to whom. In most states, wills and asset inventories must be filed with the court, exposing your personal financial details to prying eyes.

A better option? A trust.

How a Trust Protects Your Privacy

privacy

When you place assets in a trust, they are no longer titled in your individual name. Because trusts avoid probate, they don’t become part of the public record. This means that your financial details, beneficiaries, and final wishes remain private—shielded from unwanted scrutiny.

Consider what has been revealed through public probate records:

• Musician Jerry Garcia left 10% of his estate to his brother and put his daughters’ inheritances in trust until they turned 21.
• Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren Burger had only a short handwritten will, splitting his estate between his children.
• Marilyn Monroe left her clothing, personal effects, and much of her estate to acting coach Lee Strasberg.
• President Richard Nixon bequeathed his personal diaries, tapes, and notes to his daughters—unless they predeceased him, in which case he ordered everything destroyed.
• David Packard, cofounder of Hewlett Packard, directed nearly all of his wealth to a charitable foundation.

Each of these estates became public knowledge, fueling everything from family disputes to media headlines.

Why Privacy Matters

Keeping your estate details private is about more than avoiding gossip. It protects your beneficiaries from:

• Unwanted solicitations – Salespeople and scammers often target heirs after probate records become public.
• Family conflicts – Public records may cause tension if someone feels slighted by your choices.
• Security risks – Large inheritances can make beneficiaries vulnerable to fraud or financial manipulation.

How to Keep Your Estate Private

A trust allows you to control your legacy without making it public. McGee Law Firm can help you structure a plan that meets your needs while keeping your private matters confidential. Schedule your complimentary consultation today by contacting us online or calling 817-899-3286.

Your final wishes should be just that—yours. Let’s make sure they stay that way.

From the desk of Attorney Brandon McGee

Brandon McGee
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