What is the primary difference between a will and a trust?

A fundamental distinction between a will and a trust lies in the timing of their effectiveness. A will is a legal document that outlines the distribution of an individual's assets upon their death, thus it only becomes effective after the testator has passed away. In contrast, a trust can be established to take effect during the grantor's lifetime. This means that a trust can manage the grantor's assets while they are still alive, allowing for flexibility and control over those assets even before death.

This characteristic of a trust offers advantages such as avoiding probate, providing for incapacity, and enabling more immediate management of the trust assets by a designated trustee. Therefore, the ability of a trust to operate both during life and after death is a key reason this option correctly highlights the primary difference between a will and a trust.