A will is a legal document that outlines how a person's assets and properties should be distributed after their death.  A trust, on  the other hand, is a legal arrangement where a trustee holds and manages assets for the benefit of beneficiaries.  While a will becomes active only after death, a trust can be active during the person's lifetime or activated upon their death.  Trusts often allow for more flexibility in managing and distributing assets, while wills are generally simpler but subject to probate.