A revocable living trust provides ongoing management during your lifetime, and a flexible, private and probate-efficient transfer at death. It accommodates changes in family circumstances and tax planning while letting you remain in control as grantor. Proper funding and periodic reviews are essential for it to function as intended.
A unified plan coordinates transfer of real estate, investments, and personal property, making administration easier for your successors and reducing the chance of disputes after your passing.
Choosing us means working with attorneys who listen, explain options clearly, and tailor plans to your family’s unique needs. We focus on practical, enduring strategies that support privacy, probate efficiency, and family harmony.
After funding, you or your successor trustees manage trust assets, distribute as directed, and periodically review the plan to reflect life changes and legal updates.
A revocable living trust is a flexible tool that you can alter or revoke during life. It helps avoid probate, maintain privacy, and coordinate distributions after death. It works best when funded with all relevant assets and paired with a comprehensive estate plan. During life, you remain in control as grantor, and a successor trustee steps in after death or incapacity. Regular reviews with an attorney ensure the trust stays aligned with changes in assets and family dynamics.
Yes, when funded and properly drafted, a revocable living trust can avoid probate for assets placed inside the trust, though not all assets are automatically exempt. It provides privacy and efficiency, especially for real estate and investments, while certain accounts or court-supervised assets may still require probate.
Assets to fund include real estate, bank accounts, investments, and business interests. Non-titled assets may require beneficiary designations or transfer arrangements. Funding the trust ensures assets pass under its terms, avoiding probate for those items and simplifying administration for your heirs.
A revocable living trust by itself does not confer tax advantages. The grantor reports trust activity on their personal tax return, and income is taxed to the grantor. The trust mainly affects probate and privacy, while tax planning uses separate strategies.
Wills direct assets after death and cannot avoid probate if assets are not inside a trust. A revocable living trust holds and manages assets during life, can be funded to avoid probate, and remains revocable. The main distinction is control, privacy, and how assets transfer.
Choose a trusted individual, professional advisor, or a corporate fiduciary who can manage affairs, communicate clearly, and act in your best interests. It helps to designate a reliable successor who can step in if the primary cannot serve.
Setting up a revocable living trust typically takes a few weeks, depending on asset complexity and how quickly documents are signed and funded. Delays often occur during funding when assets must be retitled or updated.
You will typically receive a trust document, a pour-over will, durable power of attorney, health care directive, and beneficiary designations. We also provide guidance on asset titles, legal descriptions, and supporting forms necessary for execution.
Review your trust at least every 2 to 3 years or after major life events like marriage, birth, divorce, or relocation. Regular updates help keep the plan aligned with current laws and personal circumstances.
Bring a list of assets, current wills or trusts, powers of attorney, health directives, and notes on your goals and desired distributions. Information about family needs and potential beneficiaries helps tailor the plan to your situation.
