A revocable living trust is a central tool in contemporary estate planning for Berkeley residents who want to maintain control during life while arranging an orderly transfer of assets at death. The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman assists families and individuals in Alameda County with creating trusts tailored to their circumstances, including funding the trust, naming successor trustees, and coordinating related documents such as pour-over wills and powers of attorney. Planning with a revocable trust can reduce the administrative burdens on loved ones, protect privacy by avoiding probate, and provide continuity for property management if incapacity occurs, giving clients peace of mind about the future.
Choosing the right approach to a revocable living trust involves more than signing forms. It means identifying assets to place in the trust, drafting clear distribution provisions, and ensuring successor trustees can carry out your wishes. Our team explains how revocable trusts interact with retirement accounts, real property, business interests, and beneficiary designations. We also review complementary documents such as advance health care directives and financial powers of attorney to ensure they align with the trust plan. Berkeley families benefit from a personalized strategy that respects California law while focusing on practical outcomes for heirs and trusted agents.
A revocable living trust offers several practical benefits for individuals in Berkeley and throughout Alameda County. It helps avoid the public, time-consuming probate process, which saves heirs from procedural delays and preserves privacy around your estate details. The trust can provide for seamless management of assets if you become unable to manage them yourself, naming successor trustees to act immediately without court appointment. Additionally, trusts can be structured to manage distributions for beneficiaries of all ages and circumstances, including minor children or adults with special needs, and they allow for easy modification while you are alive to reflect life changes such as remarriage, relocation, or the sale of significant assets.
Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman provides personal attention to clients seeking revocable living trusts and broader estate planning in the Bay Area. Our attorneys bring years of practice serving California families, focusing on clear communication and practical solutions. We take time to understand each client’s family dynamics, financial goals, and concerns so that the trust and supporting documents reflect real-life priorities. From initial planning through trust funding and occasional later modifications, our firm handles the details so clients feel confident that their affairs are organized and that their chosen fiduciaries understand their responsibilities.
A revocable living trust is a flexible estate planning vehicle created during your lifetime that can be altered or revoked as circumstances change. You normally serve as the trustee while alive and competent, maintaining control over trust assets and income. The trust document names successor trustees to manage or distribute assets if you die or become incapacitated, enabling a smoother transition than a will alone. In California, a properly funded trust can bypass probate for assets titled in the trust name, which can save time and expense for heirs and keep family matters private. The trust also works with pour-over wills and beneficiary designations to create a coherent plan.
Revocable trusts are particularly useful for property owners, retirees, business owners, and anyone who prefers to minimize court involvement after death. The trust can hold a wide range of assets such as real estate, bank accounts, brokerage accounts, and personal property. Because the grantor typically retains control, the trust remains flexible: it can be amended to adapt to changes in relationships, assets, or tax law. Our process includes an inventory of assets, recommendations for funding the trust, and coordination with other estate documents like healthcare directives and powers of attorney to ensure all parts of the plan work together effectively.
A revocable living trust is a legal arrangement where you place assets into a trust during your lifetime and retain the right to change or revoke the trust terms while you are alive. The trust holds title to assets for your benefit and designates successor trustees and beneficiaries to manage and receive property after your death or incapacity. One important feature is that the trust does not generally offer estate tax savings for most individuals, but it excels at avoiding probate and providing management continuity. Proper drafting and funding are essential so that the trust actually holds the intended assets and performs as a practical estate management and transition tool.
Creating a revocable living trust involves several interrelated steps: clarifying objectives, identifying and transferring assets into the trust, selecting trustees and beneficiaries, and preparing complementary documents such as pour-over wills, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives. Funding the trust is a critical phase, requiring re-titling deeds, updating account registrations, and coordinating beneficiary designations where appropriate. Periodic review is also important to accommodate new assets, changes in family circumstances, or changes in state law. Our firm guides clients through each step, ensuring the trust is legally effective and aligned with the client’s intentions.
Understanding common terms helps clients make informed decisions when planning a revocable living trust. This section defines concepts such as grantor, trustee, beneficiary, funding, pour-over will, probate, incapacity planning, and trust modification. Each term plays a role in how a trust functions and how it interacts with other estate documents. For example, funding refers to retitling assets into the trust’s name, which is essential to avoid probate. Clear definitions enable clients to participate actively in planning and to recognize the practical steps needed to protect family interests and ensure a smooth transfer of assets.
The grantor, sometimes called the settlor, is the person who creates the trust and transfers assets into it during life. The grantor typically retains the right to modify or revoke the trust, to receive income from trust assets, and to manage trust property as trustee if desired. Naming successor trustees and beneficiaries is a primary responsibility for the grantor so that the trust will be able to serve its intended purpose if the grantor becomes incapacitated or dies. The grantor’s clarity about wishes, asset ownership, and potential contingencies makes the document effective and easier for successors to implement.
A successor trustee is the individual or entity designated to manage trust assets and carry out the provisions of the trust when the initial trustee cannot serve due to incapacity or death. Successor trustees step into the role without court appointment, which helps avoid probate delays. Choosing an appropriate successor includes evaluating willingness to serve, familiarity with the grantor’s intentions, and ability to handle recordkeeping and communication with beneficiaries. Many clients name alternate successors and consider professional fiduciaries in situations where family members may not be able to manage complicated assets or family dynamics.
Funding a trust refers to the process of transferring ownership of assets into the trust so the trust actually controls those items during the grantor’s lifetime and at death. Funding steps might include changing a deed on real estate to the trustee’s name, updating account registrations for bank or investment accounts, and assigning personal property to the trust. Failing to fund a trust properly often leads to assets remaining subject to probate despite the existence of the trust. A careful funding checklist tailored to each client’s portfolio ensures the trust’s practical effectiveness and reduces unexpected administration tasks for family members.
A pour-over will is a backup document used with a living trust that directs any assets not previously transferred into the trust to be ‘poured over’ into the trust upon death. This ensures assets discovered after the trust was created or assets inadvertently left out are added to the trust and distributed under its terms, while still allowing for a court process for property that must pass by probate. The pour-over will complements trust funding and provides an additional safety net, but it can still result in a limited probate process for the assets that it captures, so a thorough funding process remains important.
When planning an estate in Berkeley, it helps to compare the benefits and trade-offs of revocable living trusts versus wills and other approaches. Wills remain essential for certain appointments such as guardianship nominations for minor children and for addressing assets that cannot be transferred during life. Trusts generally provide for out-of-court administration, privacy, and quicker access to assets for beneficiaries, while wills undergo probate which is a public and potentially time-consuming process. Some families combine a revocable living trust with a pour-over will and related documents to make the estate plan both comprehensive and adaptable to changing circumstances.
For households with modest assets and straightforward ownership that is easily distributed to immediate family, a will combined with powers of attorney and an advance health care directive may be sufficient. These documents can name beneficiaries, appoint guardians for minor children, and provide incapacity planning without the administrative steps of funding a trust. However, even smaller estates can benefit from a discussion about avoiding probate, especially when privacy or minimizing delay for heirs matters. Our consultations help clients weigh the practical costs and benefits of a limited approach versus a trust-based plan.
If family relationships are uncomplicated, beneficiaries are known and cooperative, and there are no special distribution concerns such as protection for heirs with disabilities or third-party claims, a focused will-based plan may meet needs effectively. A streamlined approach can limit legal fees and administrative complexity. Still, clients who prefer to reduce public exposure to their estate, or who own real property in multiple states or sizable assets, often choose a trust to simplify transfer and provide continuity. We help clients decide the right structure based on family dynamics and asset types.
A comprehensive trust-based plan is often chosen to avoid probate and keep estate matters private. Probate can be time-consuming and costly, and the proceedings are part of the public record. A well-funded revocable living trust allows property to transfer to beneficiaries without the court process, typically leading to faster distribution and less public disclosure. For families with real estate, business interests, or significant investment accounts, a trust-based approach helps ensure a smoother transition and clearer administration when continuity matters most for family stability and financial planning.
Comprehensive planning is particularly valuable when families face complex issues such as blended family dynamics, minor beneficiaries, beneficiaries with disabilities, or planning for long-term care costs. Trusts can include tailored distribution schedules, spendthrift protections, and provisions that avoid disrupting public benefits for those receiving government assistance. For business owners, trusts can provide continuity for ownership and management. Our attorneys work with clients to design trust provisions that address these practical concerns, balancing flexibility for the grantor with clear, implementable directions for successors.
A comprehensive estate plan built around a revocable living trust provides coordinated documents that work together to carry out your wishes. Benefits include streamlined asset transfer, reduced probate involvement, preservation of privacy, and mechanisms for incapacity planning so that trusted agents can manage affairs without court intervention. The plan can also include pet trusts, special needs trusts, and retirement plan coordination to ensure beneficiary designations and trust terms align. Periodic reviews keep the plan up to date as assets change, life events occur, and legal rules evolve, maintaining a reliable structure for your legacy.
Comprehensive planning also helps reduce uncertainty for loved ones during difficult times. Clear instructions in a trust and supporting documents can minimize family disputes, clarify successor responsibilities, and provide an orderly timetable for distributions. For those who own real property, businesses, or hold investments across accounts, a coordinated approach reduces the risk of assets being overlooked or subject to prolonged administration. The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman emphasizes communication and documentation so clients and their families understand the plan and find it straightforward to implement when needed.
One major benefit of using a revocable trust as part of a comprehensive plan is the privacy it affords compared with probate court proceedings. Trust administration typically avoids the public filings and hearings associated with probate, keeping details of asset ownership and beneficiary distributions private. Additionally, successor trustees can often access trust assets more quickly than beneficiaries can under probate, which helps cover immediate needs and ongoing expenses. For families needing continuity in household finances or business operations, the quicker transfer and reduced public exposure are practical advantages that support financial stability during transitions.
A properly drafted trust includes provisions for managing assets if the grantor becomes incapacitated, allowing a successor trustee to step in promptly without court supervision. This continuity matters for paying bills, managing investments, overseeing care arrangements, and protecting property. The trust can be paired with a financial power of attorney and health care directive to ensure all aspects of personal and financial care are coordinated. By planning for incapacity, clients reduce the risk of court involvement and create a smooth framework for trusted agents to safeguard their interests and carry out their intentions.
Creating an accurate inventory of your assets is the foundation of an effective trust plan. List real estate, bank and investment accounts, retirement accounts, business interests, life insurance policies, and personal property you want managed by the trust. Check account titles and beneficiary designations because some assets may require separate action to move into the trust or to align with trust provisions. Taking time to document ownership and location reduces the chance that assets will be overlooked and ensures successor trustees can locate and manage resources efficiently when needed.
Funding the trust is not optional if you want to avoid probate; it requires transferring titles and changing account registrations. Keep detailed records of transfers and a clear funding checklist so successor trustees can verify which assets are in the trust. For real estate, record deeds properly; for bank and brokerage accounts, request change of ownership forms; and for personal property, prepare written assignments or schedules. Periodically review holdings and update the trust to reflect new assets or changes in ownership to maintain the plan’s effectiveness and simplicity for loved ones.
Consider a revocable living trust if you own real property in California, have a blended family, wish to provide for minor children or a family member with special needs, or seek to minimize public involvement in estate transfer. Trusts are also helpful for those who travel frequently, own property in multiple states, or hold business interests that require continuity. The trust creates a framework that reduces the administrative burden on heirs and provides a clear mechanism for managing assets during incapacity, which can be especially important when family members live far apart or when swift access to funds is necessary.
Berkeley residents who value privacy and want to simplify asset transitions typically find a trust-based plan advantageous. Even where probate may not be overly burdensome financially, avoiding court proceedings reduces delay and public disclosure. For individuals who anticipate changes in assets or family circumstances, a revocable trust offers flexibility because it can be amended to reflect new priorities. Our firm helps clients assess the benefits and costs of creating a trust, coordinate it with wills and powers of attorney, and develop a practical funding plan to ensure the trust fulfills its intended purpose.
Typical circumstances that make a trust useful include property ownership subject to probate, beneficiaries who need staged distributions, potential disputes among heirs, or the need to protect a family member’s eligibility for government benefits. Trusts are also appropriate when clients want to provide for pets, manage business succession, or ensure the smooth transfer of real property without court proceedings. Those facing health concerns or planning for long-term care often choose trusts to ensure a trusted successor can manage finances immediately if incapacity occurs, reducing stress on family members during a difficult time.
Owning real estate in Berkeley or elsewhere in Alameda County is a common reason to use a revocable living trust. Real property often requires a probate process after death if it remains solely in the decedent’s name, which can delay transfers and expose the estate to public records. Placing real estate into a trust while alive ensures a smoother transfer to beneficiaries according to the trust terms. Proper deed preparation and recording are necessary steps that our firm assists with to help guarantee that property is owned by the trust and remains aligned with the overall estate plan.
Blended families and complex family relationships create scenarios where tailored trust provisions help ensure assets reach intended recipients while respecting multiple interests. A trust allows precise allocation of property, sequencing of distributions, and protections for surviving spouses or children from different relationships. By setting clear instructions for distributions and naming successor trustees who understand the plan, a trust reduces ambiguity and the potential for family disputes. Our attorneys work with clients to draft language that balances fairness, care for dependents, and practical administration by successors.
Trusts can be structured to protect the financial interests of beneficiaries who have disabilities or receive public benefits. A special needs trust or tailored trust provisions allow for supplemental support without impairing eligibility for government assistance. Similarly, spendthrift clauses and staged distributions help safeguard assets from creditor claims or imprudent spending by beneficiaries. We help clients design trust provisions that respect both the beneficiary’s needs and long-term family goals, coordinating with other documents and resource planning to preserve benefits and ensure responsible stewardship of trust assets.
Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman serves clients in Berkeley and throughout Alameda County, offering practical legal guidance for revocable living trusts and complete estate plans. We focus on clear communication, careful drafting, and effective coordination among documents like pour-over wills, financial powers of attorney, and advance health care directives. Clients appreciate our attention to detail in funding trusts, updating beneficiary designations, and preparing records that make administration easier for successors. Call 408-528-2827 to schedule a consultation and discuss a trust plan tailored to your goals and family needs.
Choosing legal assistance for a revocable living trust means working with a team that listens to family concerns, explains legal options plainly, and produces clear, practical documents. Our firm emphasizes personalized service to create trust provisions that match client priorities, whether the goal is to avoid probate, provide for minor children, or structure distributions for long-term stability. We guide clients through funding the trust, preparing related documents, and offering support for administration questions that arise later, helping ensure the plan functions as intended when the time comes.
We also prioritize proactive review and updates. Life changes such as marriage, divorce, births, or changes in asset ownership require adjustments to keep the plan effective and accurate. Our approach includes checklists for funding, reminders for beneficiary designation reviews, and straightforward advice about modifying trust terms when circumstances change. The goal is to make estate planning manageable and to reduce unexpected burdens for family members during transitions.
Finally, our staff understands the practical steps of trust administration and is prepared to assist successor trustees and families after a client’s incapacity or passing. From gathering documentation to guiding the transfer of assets, we help navigate the administrative tasks with sensitivity and clarity. Clients often report relief at having a documented plan and knowing trusted advisors are available to help loved ones implement their wishes efficiently and respectfully.
Our process for revocable trust matters begins with a focused conversation about your goals, family situation, and assets. We review your current documents, identify assets to include in the trust, and recommend complementary documents such as powers of attorney and advance health care directives. Once the trust framework is agreed upon, we draft the documents, assist with signing formalities, and provide a funding checklist to transfer titles and update account registrations. After the trust is in place, we offer review sessions to keep the plan current and to help successor trustees understand their roles and recordkeeping responsibilities.
The initial consultation gathers information about family dynamics, asset ownership, and planning priorities. We discuss how a revocable trust fits into the overall estate strategy, including whether special provisions such as powers of appointment, subtrusts, or spendthrift clauses are appropriate. This step also identifies any complex assets like business interests or out-of-state property that require special handling. Clients leave the consultation with a clear roadmap for the documents needed and the next steps toward implementing a trust plan that aligns with their goals.
We work with clients to prepare a comprehensive inventory of assets and to clarify goals for distribution, incapacity planning, and privacy. This includes identifying real estate, financial accounts, retirement assets, insurance policies, and personal property. Understanding the full picture allows us to recommend whether a revocable trust is beneficial and how to structure trustee and beneficiary designations to meet the client’s needs. Clear documentation at this stage reduces later confusion and speeds the moving forward process for trust funding.
Selecting trustees and beneficiaries is a thoughtful process that balances trust in family members with practical considerations about administrative ability and geographic proximity. We discuss naming primary and alternate trustees, as well as contingent beneficiaries, and outline the duties those individuals will assume. Many clients name professional or corporate trustees in addition to family members when continuity or complex asset management is a concern. Our role is to ensure the names and terms in the trust reflect the client’s values and facilitate straightforward implementation when the time comes.
After planning decisions are made, we prepare the trust document and complementary estate planning instruments according to California requirements. The drafting phase ensures clear allocation of powers, detailed distribution instructions, and appropriate incapacity provisions. We schedule a signing meeting with the necessary witnesses and notaries to complete valid execution. Clients receive copies of all finalized documents, and we provide guidance on the legal formalities that preserve the trust’s effectiveness, including how to store originals and when to share documents with successor trustees or financial institutions.
Proper execution and notarization are important formalities that validate trust documents and related instruments. We coordinate signing with witnesses and notaries as required, confirm that all parties understand their roles, and advise on safe storage and access. Discussing how to inform successor trustees and beneficiaries about the existence and location of documents helps avoid confusion later. The signing meeting also provides an opportunity to address last-minute questions and to supply clients with a checklist for subsequent funding actions and records to ensure the trust operates as intended.
Following execution, we provide detailed instructions and support for funding the trust, including deed transfers for real property and re-titling of financial accounts. Funding may also involve beneficiary designation reviews and assignments for certain assets. We supply clients with forms, sample language, and a step-by-step funding checklist to streamline the process. Completing funding promptly reduces the chance that assets remain outside the trust and subject to probate. Our guidance helps minimize administrative errors that could otherwise frustrate the trust’s intended benefits.
After the trust is funded, we recommend periodic reviews to ensure the plan remains up to date with life changes, new assets, and shifts in goals. Our firm assists successor trustees with administrative questions, provides resources for inventory and recordkeeping, and can step in to assist with distributions or trust modifications when appropriate. Regular check-ins help maintain alignment among beneficiary designations, insurance policies, and the trust document so that the overall estate plan continues to operate smoothly and reliably for the long term.
We encourage clients to schedule reviews every few years or after major life events, such as marriage, divorce, births, deaths, or significant asset acquisitions. These reviews confirm that the trust language and supporting documents still reflect current wishes and that assets remain properly titled. Updating documents proactively reduces the need for costly or complex modifications later and ensures successor trustees have clear guidance. Our reviews address any tax, legal, or practical changes since the last meeting and provide recommendations to keep the plan current for changing family and financial circumstances.
When the trust becomes active due to incapacity or death, families often need help with administrative steps like gathering documentation, notifying financial institutions, and distributing property. Our firm offers practical support for successor trustees and family members, explaining duties such as inventorying assets, paying debts, and following distribution instructions. We also assist in resolving conflicts, clarifying ambiguous provisions, and filing necessary court documents only if required. This hands-on support helps ensure trustees fulfill responsibilities efficiently and in accordance with the trust terms and California law.
A will is a document that directs distribution of probate assets and names guardians for minor children, while a revocable living trust is an instrument that holds and manages assets during life and provides for their transfer at death without the probate process. Wills typically must go through probate to transfer property that was solely in the decedent’s name, which can be time-consuming and public. Trusts, when funded properly, enable assets titled in the trust to pass according to trust terms without courthouse involvement, offering privacy and often faster access for beneficiaries. Both documents play different roles and are often used together. A pour-over will works with a trust to catch any assets not transferred during life and direct them into the trust at death, though those assets may still require probate. Many clients use a trust for major assets and a will for appointing guardians and addressing any residual matters. We advise clients on how to coordinate these documents so the overall estate plan achieves intended objectives smoothly and predictably.
Yes. To avoid probate for your home, it is generally necessary to transfer ownership of the property into the name of the revocable living trust. This typically involves preparing and recording a deed that conveys the property from you as an individual to yourself as trustee of the trust. Recording the deed properly ensures the property is legally held by the trust and will be administered according to the trust terms without probate. Recording a transfer may have implications such as mortgage lender notification, title insurance considerations, and potential reassessment concerns depending on local rules. Our office provides guidance on deed preparation and recording steps and coordinates with title companies when needed to confirm the transfer is completed correctly and that the trust holds the home as intended.
A revocable living trust typically includes provisions for managing assets if the grantor becomes incapacitated, naming a successor trustee to assume management responsibilities without court appointment. This successor trustee can pay bills, manage investments, and make decisions about property under the trust terms, providing continuity and avoiding the need for a conservatorship in many cases. The trust can also include instructions about distributions, care of dependents, and other personal needs during incapacity. For comprehensive incapacity planning, a trust is often paired with a financial power of attorney and health care directive to cover matters outside the trust, such as non-trust contracts and medical decisions. Coordinating these documents ensures that both financial and health-related decisions are covered and that trusted agents have authority to act consistent with your wishes.
A revocable living trust, as the name indicates, can be changed or revoked by the grantor while alive and competent. This flexibility allows you to adapt the trust to life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or significant changes in asset ownership. Amendments can be used to update trustees, beneficiaries, or distribution provisions, and in some cases a restatement can replace the original trust document while leaving the trust itself intact. Because modifications can have important legal and tax implications, it is advisable to make changes through properly drafted amendments or restatements so the trust remains clear and enforceable. We help clients implement changes in a way that preserves the trust’s continuity and avoids unintended consequences for successor trustees and beneficiaries.
For most individuals, a revocable living trust does not, by itself, reduce federal estate taxes because the assets in a revocable trust are still treated as part of the grantor’s taxable estate. The primary benefits of a revocable trust are avoiding probate and providing for incapacity. However, trusts can be drafted to include additional tax planning features or to work in tandem with other strategies for larger or more complex estates that might face estate tax issues. Clients with significant estates should discuss tax planning goals so that trusts and other tools are coordinated to address potential tax exposure while meeting distribution and family objectives. We collaborate with tax advisors when advanced tax planning is advisable to ensure legal documents reflect both tax and family priorities.
Funding a revocable living trust involves transferring ownership of intended assets into the trust name and updating account registrations. For real property, this usually means executing and recording a new deed that names the trustee of the trust as owner. For bank and brokerage accounts, funding typically requires completing forms to retitle accounts in the trust’s name or naming the trust as payable on death or beneficiary depending on the asset type. A funding checklist helps ensure no assets are overlooked, and we provide detailed instructions and assistance where needed. Proper funding is essential to realize the trust’s purpose of avoiding probate and ensuring that successor trustees can manage assets seamlessly. Periodic reviews confirm newly acquired assets are incorporated into the trust as appropriate.
If an asset was not transferred into the trust before death, it may remain subject to probate and be distributed according to a will or intestacy rules if there is no valid will. To address this, a pour-over will can direct such assets to the trust at death, but those assets may still require probate administration before they actually become part of the trust estate. Failing to fund the trust can lead to unintended probate exposure and potential delays for beneficiaries. To minimize this risk, we emphasize thorough funding during the planning process and provide clients with checklists and reminders for new assets. If an oversight is discovered, we guide family members through available options to transfer assets or to administer the estate in a way that best achieves the decedent’s intentions under California law.
A trust can be crafted to support a beneficiary with disabilities while preserving eligibility for government benefits by using a properly structured supplemental or special needs trust. Such arrangements allow the trustee to use trust funds for supplemental care, enrichment, and non-covered needs without counting those assets for purposes of means-tested public benefits, so long as the trust is drafted and administered in accordance with applicable benefit rules. Designing these provisions requires careful drafting and sometimes coordination with public benefits counselors to avoid jeopardizing eligibility. We assist clients in creating trust language that provides for quality of life enhancements while maintaining necessary benefits, and we explain trustee responsibilities for administering funds in a way that supports the beneficiary’s long-term needs.
When naming a successor trustee, consider someone who is trustworthy, organized, and willing to manage financial and administrative duties. That could be a family member, a close friend, or a corporate fiduciary. Practical considerations include the person’s geographic availability, comfort with financial recordkeeping, and ability to communicate calmly with beneficiaries during what may be an emotional time. Naming alternate trustees provides continuity if the primary successor cannot serve. Some clients choose a combination of family member and professional co-trustee when assets or family dynamics require both personal knowledge and administrative experience. We discuss the responsibilities of trustees and help clients select individuals or institutions that fit their needs while making arrangements that encourage smooth administration.
Review your trust and overall estate plan every few years and after significant life events such as marriage, divorce, births, deaths, changes in asset ownership, or relocations. Regular reviews ensure that beneficiary designations, trust provisions, and supporting documents remain aligned with your goals. Legal and tax changes may also create reasons to update documents to preserve intended outcomes for your family and assets. Periodic reviews are an opportunity to confirm that your trust is properly funded and to make any changes to trustees or distribution plans. We offer review meetings to assess whether amendments or restatements are advisable and to guide clients through any adjustments needed to keep the plan effective and current.
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