What is the purpose of a "pour-over will"?

The purpose of a "pour-over will" is to ensure that any assets not already placed into a trust during the grantor's lifetime are transferred into that trust upon their death. This mechanism allows for any remaining property that the grantor owned at the time of death to be "poured over" into an existing trust, ensuring that those assets are managed according to the terms of the trust. This is particularly useful for individuals who have established a trust but may not have completed the transfer of all their assets into it before their passing.

A pour-over will acts as a safety net, capturing assets that might have been overlooked, and ensuring they ultimately benefit the trust's beneficiaries as intended. This simplifies the estate administration process and provides a cohesive distribution plan.