Revocable living trusts provide flexibility to amend terms, avoid probate for assets placed in the trust, and ensure continuity of asset management if you become unable to act. They can simplify administration for surviving family members while preserving privacy and reducing court oversight.
A unified plan aligns asset transfers, avoids conflicting provisions, and facilitates efficient administration after death, helping loved ones access assets with minimal delay and uncertainty.
We bring a down-to-earth, client-focused approach to estate planning, with emphasis on practical steps, transparent pricing, and timely deliverables. Our team explains options in plain language and works with you to implement a plan that fits your needs and budget.
Funding steps are completed with careful titling of assets and updating beneficiary designations to match the trust plan for a coherent estate administration.
A revocable living trust is a flexible arrangement that places assets into a trust while allowing you to serve as trustee and retain control. You can alter terms or dissolve the trust at any time. It helps avoid probate for assets placed in the trust and preserves privacy. The trust continues to govern distributions if you become unable to act.
A will outlines how assets pass after death and goes through probate. A revocable living trust holds and manages assets during life and can avoid probate for funded property. Trusts offer privacy and streamlined administration, particularly for families seeking ongoing asset management and incapacity planning.
Funding a trust means transferring ownership of assets into the trust, such as real estate, accounts, and investment holdings. Without funding, the trust offers limited benefit. Proper funding helps ensure asset distributions align with your goals and reduces probate exposure.
A trustee should be someone you trust with financial matters and decision-making, such as a family member or a financial institution. A successor trustee steps in if the original trustee cannot act. Clear naming reduces potential disputes and ensures smooth administration.
Yes. Compared with a will, a trust generally keeps assets and distributions out of public probate records. This privacy can help families maintain confidentiality while coordinating asset transfers and avoiding court oversight during administration.
Revocable trusts typically do not change income tax obligations for the grantor. They can be structured to minimize estate tax exposure, depending on asset levels and strategy. A professional can help align tax planning with your overall goals.
If incapacity occurs, the named successor trustee can manage assets and financial decisions under the trust terms, reducing the need for court intervention. The plan may also specify guardianship arrangements and healthcare directives to guide medical decisions.
The timeline depends on asset complexity, funding needs, and client responsiveness. A typical process includes drafting, review, signing, and funding over several weeks, with adjustments possible as goals and assets change.
A pour-over will captures any assets not funded to the trust at death and directs them into the trust. This ensures consistency with your overall plan and avoids unintentionally omitting property from the trust.
Begin with a consultation to discuss goals, assets, and family dynamics. We outline a plan, prepare draft documents, and guide you through funding steps. Our team remains available to answer questions and adjust the plan as life changes.
