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Revocable Trust-Based Estate Plan

 When someone dies, they can no longer own property, so their assets must be retitled. Probate is the court process used to transfer those assets, which can be public, slow, and burdensome for your family. A trust-based estate plan can avoid or minimize probate by moving assets into your trust during your lifetime so they can pass privately and efficiently after your death. 

What’s Typically Included

How the Pieces Work Together

How the Pieces Work Together

A trust-based estate plan usually includes:

  • Revocable living trust
  • Pour-over will
  • Durable financial power of attorney
  • Patient advocate designation with advance directive
  • Funeral representative designation
  • Deed work, if needed, to align your home with your plan (such as a Ladybird deed or deed into your trust)

How the Pieces Work Together

How the Pieces Work Together

How the Pieces Work Together

The financial power of attorney and patient advocate designation protect you during your lifetime by allowing trusted people to handle finances and make health care decisions if you cannot. The revocable living trust and pour-over will manage what happens after your death by directing how your assets are distributed and who will care for minor children, while avoiding or minimizing probate where possible. The funeral representative designation gives one person clear authority over funeral and burial decisions so your wishes are respected and family conflict is reduced.

Together, these tools can provide a seamless plan for incapacity, death, and beyond.

  If you are not sure whether a trust-based plan is right for you, start with the Estate Planning intake form. I will review your information and then call you to discuss your options, fees, and whether a trust-based or will-based plan makes the most sense in your situation. 

  • Printable PDF (best for planning): If you’re still deciding who to name as your substitute decision makers, download the PDF first and use it to brainstorm and take notes. When you’re ready and your choices are clear, you can then complete and submit the online form.
  • Online Web Form (preferred): If you already know who you want to act as your substitute decision makers, go straight to the web form. It usually takes about 15–30 minutes to complete.

After I receive your completed form, I’ll review it, call you to discuss your goals, and, if everything is a good fit, send you an engagement agreement.

Web-Based Intake FormPrintable Intake Form
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The content on this website is for general information only. It’s not legal advice for any specific case or situation. Reading or accessing this information does not create an attorney-client relationship. Completing and/or submitting an intake form DOES NOT CREATE AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP.

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