When deciding whether a trust or inheritance is better, some factors include estate taxes, probate costs, asset control, and privacy. Estate taxes are generally not an issue for trusts. This is because when the settlor—or creator—of the trust dies, the trust itself does not die. The trustee manages the assets based on the terms of the trust. When you create a trust, you can specify how and when the assets will be distributed. You can also put conditions on the distribution of assets, such as requiring the beneficiary to be a certain age or to finish college. Wills are public documents, but trusts are not.