If you literally own anything, or love anyone, having an estate plan is essential. Even if you’re the healthiest person on the planet accidents can and do happen to the best of us, and we need to plan for that.

A Wyoming trust sounds appealing for asset protection, but for most people - especially those living in other states like South Carolina, it doesn’t actually work the way they think. Unless you’re willing to give up control and use an irrevocable trust, there’s no real protection, and even then your home state may ignore Wyoming law. Trusts don’t eliminate taxes, revocable trusts don’t shield assets, and LLCs only work if used properly; there’s no magic shortcut, just real strategy and tradeoffs.

Estate planning in Wyoming means creating a plan for what happens to your assets, responsibilities, and loved ones if you die or become incapacitated. It can include a will, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and sometimes a trust, depending on your goals. Whether you’re in Casper or elsewhere in Wyoming, estate planning helps avoid court delays, reduce conflict, and make sure your wishes are honored.

When there’s no will, Wyoming law decides who gets what, and it doesn’t always match what you would’ve wanted. In this post, I break down how intestate succession works in plain English, explain who has legal priority, and what that means for your family. Whether you're just starting to think about estate planning or you're trying to protect your loved ones from probate surprises, this is a must-read.