---
title: "What Is pour-over will? | Seek First Glossary"
description: "A pour-over will is a will that sends any asset you did not move into your trust into that trust when you die. It acts as a safety net."
url: https://seekfirst.multisites.ai/glossary/pour-over-will
publisher: Seek First
phone: +1-866-398-4044
contact: https://seekfirst.multisites.ai/contact
---

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Estate

# pour-over will

A pour-over will is a will that sends any asset you did not move into your trust into that trust when you die. It acts as a safety net.

A pour-over will is a will that directs any assets left outside your trust to "pour over" into the trust at your death. It works as a safety net for assets you forgot to retitle or acquired late in life. The trust's terms then control who gets them.

**An important limit.** Assets that pass under a pour-over will usually still go through probate first. The will does not avoid court. It makes sure the property ends up under your trust plan instead of in a default order set by law. The better fix is to fund the trust during life.

**A round example.** For example, you set up a trust and move your home and accounts into it. Later you receive a $40,000 refund check made out to you personally. The pour-over will sends it into the trust. If it falls under the California small-estate limit, the process may be simple. This is an illustration, not advice.

**Why it matters to your plan.** A will and trust should work together. Review them after major life changes. See our [trust and estate planning page](https://seekfirst.multisites.ai/trust-and-estate-planning).

[Read nextTrust and estate planning for California families: probate, Prop 19 and what you leave behind](https://seekfirst.multisites.ai/trust-and-estate-planning)

## Related terms

-   [revocable living trust](https://seekfirst.multisites.ai/glossary/revocable-living-trust)
-   [probate](https://seekfirst.multisites.ai/glossary/probate)
-   [durable power of attorney](https://seekfirst.multisites.ai/glossary/durable-power-of-attorney)

## Sources

1.  [California Courts Self Help Guide: Check if you can use a simple process to transfer property](https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/probate/simple-transfer)

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