Do I Need a Trust If I Have No Heirs?

I recently became a widow at 61 years old. We never had children. I don't wish to leave my assets to anyone except a specific animal charity. But I want to be sure that my money will be able to take care of me if I need to go into a nursing home. Do I need a trust or should I spell it all out in my will?

We would recommend a trust. A will only dictates what happens to your property after your death. In a trust you can direct your trustee to use the trust funds to provide you with as much comfort and care as possible and leave whatever is left to charity. For information about trusts, go here: http://www.elderlawanswers.com/trusts-12006. In terms of financial planning, you may be a good candidate for an annuity that would guarantee you an income for the rest of your life, but not leave anything at your death. For information about annuities, go here: http://www.elderlawanswers.com/should-an-annuity-be-part-of-your-retirement-planning--15415. To find an attorney to help you come up with a plan that works for you, go here: http://www.elderlawanswers.com/elder-law-attorneys.