Trusts
Protecting assets, avoiding probate, and securing your family's future with thoughtfully drafted trust agreements.
A trust is one of the most powerful and flexible tools in estate planning. Unlike a will — which takes effect only after death and must go through probate — a trust can take effect immediately, operate during your lifetime, and transfer assets to your beneficiaries privately and efficiently.
Revocable Living Trusts
A revocable living trust is created during your lifetime and can be amended or revoked at any time while you are alive and competent. It becomes irrevocable upon your death. Assets held in a revocable trust avoid probate entirely, which saves time, reduces costs, and maintains privacy.
- Avoids the time and expense of probate
- Provides for management of your assets if you become incapacitated
- Maintains privacy (unlike a will, trusts are not public record)
- Eases asset transfer to heirs across multiple states
"A well-structured trust can be the difference between a smooth transfer of your legacy and a prolonged, costly probate proceeding."
Irrevocable Trusts
An irrevocable trust cannot be modified once established, but offers significant advantages — including asset protection from creditors, removal of assets from your taxable estate, and qualification for Medicaid benefits.
- Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILIT)
- Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts (MAPT)
- Charitable remainder and lead trusts
- Qualified Personal Residence Trusts (QPRT)
Special Needs Trusts
A special needs trust allows you to provide financial support for a loved one with disabilities without disqualifying them from government benefits such as Medicaid or SSI. This is one of the most important planning tools for families caring for a disabled loved one.
- First-party (self-settled) special needs trusts
- Third-party special needs trusts
- Pooled trusts
Trustee Responsibilities
Serving as a trustee carries significant legal and fiduciary responsibilities. We advise trustees on their duties, help them understand their obligations to beneficiaries, and guide them through the administration of trust assets.
Trust Funding
Creating a trust document is only half the work — a trust must be properly "funded" by transferring ownership of your assets into the trust. We work with you to ensure all appropriate assets are re-titled and that your trust accomplishes your goals.
Trusts FAQ
Not necessarily — it depends on your goals. A will is sufficient for many people. However, a trust may be beneficial if you want to avoid probate, provide for a loved one with special needs, hold assets for a minor child, manage a complex estate, or maintain privacy (wills become public record; trusts do not). Nicole can help you determine which approach — or combination — best fits your situation.
A revocable (living) trust can be changed or revoked by you at any time during your lifetime — you retain full control. It helps avoid probate but does not shield assets from creditors or Medicaid look-back rules. An irrevocable trust cannot be easily changed once created, but it can offer asset protection, Medicaid planning benefits, and estate tax advantages.
A Special Needs Trust (SNT) holds assets for a person with a disability without disqualifying them from government benefits like SSI or Medicaid. If you have a child, sibling, or other loved one with special needs, leaving them a direct inheritance could inadvertently cut off their benefits. An SNT is designed to supplement — not replace — those benefits, covering extra expenses and enhancing quality of life.
The cost varies significantly based on the type and complexity of the trust, the size and nature of your assets, and your planning goals. Simple revocable living trusts are generally more affordable; irrevocable trusts, special needs trusts, and charitable trusts involve more complexity and time. We provide a transparent fee discussion during your initial consultation so there are no surprises.
Secure Your Assets
Build a Trust That Works For Your Family
Trusts can protect your assets from probate, reduce tax exposure, and ensure your wishes are honored long after you're gone. Nicole will help you choose and structure the right trust for your situation.