A revocable living trust provides flexibility to modify terms, retains ownership in your name while you are alive, and streamlines probate for heirs. It can help manage incapacity, reduce court oversight, and protect privacy. Proper funding and regular review ensure the trust remains aligned with evolving family and financial circumstances.
A coordinated plan ensures assets are managed consistently, with unified beneficiary designations and clear authority for decision-making across real estate, investments, and business interests.
We offer personalized planning, clear communication, and transparent pricing. Our local Maryland team understands state laws and practical family needs, providing practical solutions, not generic advice.
We help you fund and retitle properties and accounts to place assets under the trust’s control.
A revocable living trust allows you to control assets during life and decide how they pass after death, often avoiding probate. Unlike a will, it remains private and can be amended as circumstances change. Funding the trust with assets is essential to make this work effectively and maintain privacy.
Assets typically placed into the trust include real estate, bank accounts, investment accounts, and business interests you want to pass outside probate or preserve privacy. A well-funded plan minimizes court involvement and ensures distributions occur as you intend while reducing potential family conflict.
Yes, trusts can avoid probate for many assets, but some assets may pass outside or through a separate process depending on ownership. An experienced attorney reviews asset types and ownership to maximize probate avoidance and ensure coordinated distributions.
Trustee selection is important; choose someone capable and trustworthy, with a backup in mind. If a trustee cannot serve, a designated successor steps in, or you may appoint a professional fiduciary to maintain continuity and reduce risk of delays.
Regular reviews ensure the trust reflects life changes such as marriage, birth, relocation, or changes in tax law. We recommend annual or biennial checks with a local attorney to keep documents aligned with goals and current regulations.
Generally a well-planned trust does not trigger income or estate tax at creation, but changes in asset ownership, gifting, and state law may affect tax treatment. An attorney can explain strategies to minimize taxes while preserving your planning objectives.
A trust and a will serve different purposes; many clients use both in a comprehensive estate plan. Wills handle assets not in the trust and appoint guardians for minors, while trusts manage ongoing asset distribution and probate avoidance.
Costs vary with complexity, but a revocable living trust is typically priced to reflect asset types, funding needs, and document preparation. We provide transparent pricing and discuss costs upfront during your initial consultation to avoid surprises.
Yes. You can modify or revoke a revocable trust, and you can update trustees, contingencies, and distributions as life changes. We assist with amendments and ensure documents remain legally valid and aligned with your goals.
Setup time depends on asset complexity and funding, but many clients complete initial drafting within a few weeks after a detailed consultation. Funding and final reviews may take additional time as assets are retitled and beneficiaries confirmed.
