An Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT) can be an effective estate planning tool for preserving life insurance proceeds and managing tax exposure for heirs. At the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman we help California families understand how an ILIT works and whether it fits their goals. This guide outlines the structure, administration, and lifetime considerations associated with an ILIT in Laguna Niguel and throughout Orange County. We focus on clear explanations of legal options, typical outcomes, and practical steps to set up an ILIT that aligns with your broader estate plan and personal priorities.
Setting up an ILIT involves creating a trust document, appointing trustees and beneficiaries, and transferring policy ownership into the trust. The process also requires careful coordination with existing estate planning documents such as revocable living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. Families often seek an ILIT to provide liquidity for estate obligations and to place life insurance proceeds outside of the taxable estate. This overview clarifies common terms, timelines, and potential benefits so you can decide whether an ILIT is appropriate for your unique financial and family circumstances.
An ILIT offers several potential advantages that may improve the overall outcome of your estate plan. By holding life insurance outside your estate, an ILIT can reduce estate tax exposure, provide immediate liquidity to pay expenses or taxes, and help ensure that proceeds are distributed as you intend. For families with specific needs—such as protecting inheritance from creditors, supporting minor children, or providing for a surviving spouse—an ILIT adds a layer of control and predictability. This discussion presents realistic expectations about administrative responsibilities and considerations for naming trustees and beneficiaries.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman serve clients across California with personalized estate planning services, including ILITs and related trust documents. Our approach emphasizes careful drafting, practical drafting to reduce later disputes, and coordination among documents like pour-over wills, financial powers of attorney, and health care directives. We prioritize clear communication so clients understand fees, timelines, and responsibilities for trustees. Whether you live in Laguna Niguel or elsewhere in Orange County, we aim to provide thoughtful guidance on the legal steps needed to protect your family’s financial future and to preserve the value of life insurance proceeds for intended beneficiaries.
An ILIT is a trust created to own life insurance policies, remove those policies from the insured’s taxable estate, and control how proceeds are distributed after death. The grantor transfers an existing policy or directs new coverage to be issued in the name of the trust, and the trustee administers premium payments and payouts for the benefit of named beneficiaries. Because the trust is irrevocable, the grantor generally cannot reclaim ownership of the policy once it has been transferred. This permanence provides certain estate planning advantages but also requires careful planning and coordination with other documents.
When establishing an ILIT, important details include choosing a trustee, drafting trust provisions that reflect distribution priorities, and outlining powers the trustee will hold to manage funds. Premium funding methods may involve gifts to the trust or gifting through annual exclusion amounts; these steps must be documented to support tax treatment and to avoid inclusion in the taxable estate. Additionally, if life insurance is transferred within three years of death, special rules may cause estate inclusion. Understanding these timing, administrative, and tax considerations is essential to achieve the desired outcomes.
An ILIT is a distinct legal entity formed under a trust agreement with the purpose of owning life insurance policies and receiving proceeds outside the insured’s estate. The grantor creates the trust, names a trustee to manage the policy and any distributed funds, and names beneficiaries who will receive the benefits under the terms of the trust. The trustee’s duties include paying premiums, tracking gifts used to fund premiums, and distributing proceeds in accordance with the trust instrument. Proper drafting clarifies when and how distributions should be made to minimize conflict and protect assets from certain creditors.
Setting up an ILIT typically requires drafting the trust document, determining funding sources for premiums, transferring ownership of the policy to the trust, and documenting gifts used to make premium payments when applicable. The trustee must maintain records, manage premium payments, and follow trust terms for distributions. Coordination with an existing revocable living trust, pour-over will, or beneficiary designations helps ensure a cohesive estate plan. Proper documentation of gifts and payments helps preserve the intended tax and estate outcomes, so ongoing administration and communication with the trustee are important.
This glossary covers frequently encountered terms when working with ILITs, including grantor, trustee, beneficiary, assignment of assets, and the three-year inclusion rule. A clear understanding of these terms helps clients make informed choices about trustee selection, premium funding, and coordination with other estate documents such as wills and powers of attorney. We include plain-language definitions and practical implications so you can see how each term affects the structure and outcome of an ILIT. Knowing the vocabulary reduces confusion during setup and administration.
The grantor is the person who creates the trust and usually transfers a life insurance policy or funds to the ILIT. The grantor’s actions determine the trust’s purpose and initial assets, and the trust’s terms set out how proceeds will be managed and distributed. Because the trust is irrevocable, the grantor typically cannot reverse transfers once made, which makes it important to consider how the trust fits into the larger estate plan. The grantor should work closely with counsel to ensure the trust language and funding plan align with overall estate goals and family wishes.
The trustee is the person or institution responsible for administering the ILIT according to the trust agreement, paying premiums if funds are available, maintaining records, and distributing proceeds to beneficiaries after the insured’s death. Trustees have fiduciary duties to act in beneficiaries’ best interests and must follow the trust terms and applicable law. Selecting a trustee involves considering availability, trustworthiness, and administrative capacity. Families often name a relative, a trusted advisor, or a corporate trustee to ensure consistent administration over time.
Beneficiaries are the individuals or entities designated to receive the trust’s benefits when life insurance proceeds are paid to the ILIT. The trust document can control timing, amounts, and conditions of distributions, which can protect inherited assets from creditors or poor financial decisions. Beneficiary designations in the trust should be coordinated with other estate documents and beneficiary forms to avoid conflicting instructions. Clear trust provisions reduce the chance of disputes and provide direction to trustees during the distribution process.
The three-year rule refers to the tax regulation that can bring life insurance proceeds back into a decedent’s taxable estate if the insured transferred a life insurance policy and died within three years of the transfer. To avoid unintentional inclusion, clients should plan timing carefully when moving existing policies into an ILIT or when purchasing new coverage inside the trust. Advice on timing and proper documentation helps preserve the estate planning benefits intended by placing the policy outside the taxable estate.
When evaluating an ILIT, it helps to compare it with alternatives such as keeping a policy within a revocable living trust, beneficiary designations, or relying on liquid assets to cover estate obligations. Each approach has trade-offs related to tax exposure, control, complexity, and administrative burdens. An ILIT provides control over life insurance proceeds and potential estate tax benefits, while other choices may offer greater flexibility or simplicity. This comparison outlines scenarios in which an ILIT is preferable and when other strategies might better match a family’s needs.
If your overall estate is unlikely to face federal or state estate taxes due to its size or available exemptions, keeping a life insurance policy outside an ILIT and relying on straightforward beneficiary designations may be sufficient. In these situations, simplicity and lower administrative demands can be advantages. However, even without estate tax concerns, consider other goals such as creditor protection, control over distributions to beneficiaries, or the desire to support special needs family members; those objectives may still point toward a trust-based approach.
When an estate has sufficient liquid assets to cover taxes, debts, and administration costs, families may find that an ILIT is unnecessary. Adequate liquidity can simplify settlement and reduce the urgency of converting life insurance into cash. In such cases, preserving a policy in the owner’s name with clear beneficiary designations and coordinated estate documents may provide a balance between simplicity and protection. Nevertheless, review how beneficiary designations and creditor exposure may affect whether a trust-based structure remains desirable.
For clients whose estates may be subject to estate tax or who want to reduce the taxable estate, an ILIT can be a valuable component of a comprehensive plan. By placing life insurance outside of the taxable estate, an ILIT can preserve liquidity to pay taxes and provide structured distributions to beneficiaries. This approach often requires coordinated planning across multiple trust documents and beneficiary designations, and it benefits from careful timing and documentation of transfers and gifts by the grantor to ensure the intended tax treatment.
When beneficiaries include minors, individuals with disabilities, or those who may need protection from creditors or poor financial decisions, an ILIT can be designed to provide controlled distributions, trust management, and tailored timing for inheritance. These protections help ensure that life insurance proceeds are used as intended and reduce the risk that assets will be dissipated. A comprehensive planning approach ensures that ILIT provisions align with other safeguards like special needs trusts, guardianship nominations, or spending directives to meet the family’s long-term goals.
A thoughtfully drafted ILIT can provide estate tax planning benefits, liquidity for settlement expenses, and greater control over how life insurance proceeds are used after death. When paired with documents like revocable living trusts, pour-over wills, and powers of attorney, an ILIT becomes part of an integrated plan that addresses immediate needs and long-term family protection. This holistic approach reduces the likelihood of unintended outcomes, ensures beneficiaries receive intended benefits, and provides guidance for trustees managing distributions and investment decisions after a policy payout.
Comprehensive ILIT planning also helps clarify roles and responsibilities, which minimizes confusion at a critical time. By specifying trustee powers, distribution standards, and successor trustees, the trust document avoids ambiguity and dispute. Proper coordination with retirement plan trusts, special needs trusts, or irrevocable life insurance arrangements ensures consistent treatment of assets and preserves available tax advantages. Regular reviews of the plan help keep the ILIT aligned with changes in family circumstances, tax laws, and financial objectives over time.
One key benefit of an ILIT is preserving estate value by keeping life insurance proceeds outside the taxable estate and by providing funds to cover liabilities such as taxes, debts, and administration costs. This liquidity can prevent forced sales of property or business interests and helps ensure heirs receive intended inheritances without delay. By structuring distributions thoughtfully and documenting funding mechanisms, families can protect assets and facilitate a smoother settlement process for trustees and beneficiaries alike, reducing financial stress in probate or settlement proceedings.
An ILIT enables the grantor to set distribution rules that protect beneficiaries from creditors, divorce settlements, or imprudent spending while still providing for their needs. Trust provisions can phase distributions over time, set conditions for use, or allocate funds for education and health care. This level of control helps families protect legacies and ensure that resources are used responsibly. Clear instructions and trustee guidance reduce disputes and provide a framework for trustees to act consistently with the grantor’s wishes.
Timing matters when transferring life insurance policies into an ILIT. Transfers made within three years of the insured’s death can be brought back into the taxable estate, so document timelines and funding steps carefully. Keep clear records of any gifts to the trust used to pay premiums, including copies of checks and trustee receipts. This documentation supports the intended tax treatment and helps trustees demonstrate the validity of funding mechanisms. Communicate with the trustee and any financial advisors to ensure gifts and premium payments are handled consistently.
An ILIT should not exist in isolation; coordinate its terms with revocable living trusts, pour-over wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. Confirm that beneficiary designations on retirement accounts or life insurance policies do not conflict with trust provisions and that pour-over wills funnel assets appropriately. Regularly review all documents after major life events such as marriage, divorce, births, or significant changes in assets. Consistent updates ensure the ILIT continues to reflect family goals and circumvents unintended consequences from outdated forms or beneficiary listings.
Consider an ILIT when you want to protect life insurance proceeds from being included in your taxable estate, when immediate liquidity will benefit your heirs, or when you want to structure distributions to meet specific family needs. An ILIT is often used by business owners, families with blended heirs, and individuals seeking creditor protection for policy proceeds. The trust can also work alongside mechanisms such as retirement plan trusts and special needs planning to ensure assets are available for intended purposes without exposing beneficiaries to unnecessary financial risk or probate delays.
Other compelling reasons to consider an ILIT include reducing the chance of disputes, providing for long-term care costs, and designing distributions that support education or medical expenses. If you have concerns about how an inheritance might be handled by heirs or want to protect proceeds from future legal claims, an ILIT adds flexibility and control. Discussing family dynamics, asset composition, and liquidity needs helps determine whether an ILIT or another trust arrangement best meets your goals in Laguna Niguel and the greater Orange County area.
Families commonly use ILITs when they want to keep life insurance proceeds out of the taxable estate, provide liquidity to pay estate settlement costs, or to protect inheritance for beneficiaries who may be vulnerable to creditors or poor financial choices. Business owners may use an ILIT in conjunction with buy-sell agreements to ensure continuity, while blended families often use trust provisions to balance support for a surviving spouse with preservation of assets for children from a prior relationship. Understanding these common scenarios helps determine whether an ILIT is a suitable fit.
When estate values exceed available exemptions and could be subject to federal or state estate taxes, an ILIT can be a planning tool to remove life insurance proceeds from the taxable estate. By placing a policy in an ILIT, the proceeds may be excluded from estate value, providing liquidity to pay any taxes and preserving other estate assets for heirs. Implementing this strategy requires careful timing and documentation, including gift records for premium contributions, to support the intended tax treatment at the time of administration.
If beneficiaries include minors or individuals who cannot manage large sums independently, an ILIT provides a method to control distribution timing and amounts for their benefit. The trust can specify payments for education, health care, or living expenses while restricting lump-sum payouts that could be misused. Trustees can also be directed to consider special conditions or to make discretionary distributions to meet changing needs. This structure helps safeguard the intended use of life insurance proceeds over the long term.
Business owners may use an ILIT to hold life insurance that funds buy-sell agreements or provides liquidity at death. By separating the policy from the owner’s estate, the ILIT can help ensure that funds are available to implement succession plans without contributing to estate tax exposure. This approach requires coordination between business agreements, trust terms, and any retirement plan trusts involved, so the business’s continuity and the owner’s estate planning goals remain aligned and function as intended after a death event.
Although the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman is based in San Jose, we provide guidance to clients across California and can assist families in Laguna Niguel and Orange County with ILIT formation and related estate planning documents. We take time to understand your family dynamics, financial situation, and goals so that we can recommend practical trust provisions, coordinate beneficiary designations, and ensure proper documentation of premium funding. Our team is available to explain potential outcomes and to help you choose trustees and terms that reflect your intentions.
Clients choose the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman for comprehensive estate planning that integrates trusts, wills, and advance directives. We emphasize clear communication, careful drafting, and realistic planning so that each trust document serves its intended purpose. Our role is to present options, explain likely outcomes, and draft trust provisions that reflect your wishes while considering tax and administrative implications. This process helps families make informed decisions about trusteeship, funding strategies, and distribution terms.
We help clients coordinate ILITs with related documents such as revocable living trusts, pour-over wills, financial powers of attorney, HIPAA authorizations, and guardianship nominations. By reviewing the whole plan, we identify potential conflicts and suggest revisions that harmonize beneficiary designations and trust provisions. This thoughtful approach reduces the risk of unintended consequences and simplifies travel through estate administration. Our goal is to leave you with a practical, implementable plan that protects your legacy and supports your family’s needs.
Throughout the planning and implementation process we provide clear instructions on recordkeeping, funding deadlines, and trustee responsibilities. We prepare the trust instruments, assist with policy transfers or trust-owned policy purchases, and document gifts used to fund premiums. This coordination helps maintain the intended tax and estate benefits of an ILIT and gives trustees a practical roadmap for administration. We focus on practical outcomes and aim to make the transition easier for families at a difficult time.
Our process for ILIT formation begins with an initial consultation to review assets, family circumstances, and planning objectives. We then draft a trust agreement tailored to your goals, recommend trustee selection, and coordinate the transfer or purchase of life insurance policies within the trust. We also prepare supporting documents such as assignment of assets to trust and certification of trust forms. After formation we provide guidance on funding and recordkeeping to help trustees manage the trust in accordance with the trust terms and legal requirements.
In the first step we gather information about existing life insurance policies, other estate planning documents, and your long-term objectives for beneficiaries. We review revocable living trusts, wills, beneficiary designations, and any existing trust agreements to identify how an ILIT would integrate with the current plan. This thorough review helps us propose trust terms and funding strategies that align with your wishes and reduces the risk of conflicting documents or unintended tax consequences.
We ask detailed questions about family relationships, intended beneficiaries, financial obligations, and the desired timing of distributions. Gathering this information early ensures that the trust terms reflect realistic expectations and can address complex needs like provisions for minor children, special needs beneficiaries, or business succession. We also identify any policies that should be transferred to the ILIT and verify whether premium funding will come from annual exclusion gifts or other resources, so the administration plan is clear from the outset.
We review all relevant estate planning documents to identify inconsistencies, duplicate provisions, or beneficiary designations that might conflict with the ILIT. This includes checking pour-over wills, revocable living trusts, retirement plan beneficiary forms, and any existing irrevocable arrangements. Identifying and resolving conflicts prior to ILIT formation reduces the risk of litigation and ensures that the trust functions as part of a cohesive estate plan, providing both clarity and consistency for trustees and beneficiaries.
After the initial review we draft a trust document tailored to your objectives and coordinate the mechanics of transferring existing policies or acquiring new coverage through the trust. We prepare supporting documents such as assignments of assets to trust, certification of trust, and any required notices. We also advise on funding methods for premiums, including annual exclusion gifts, and provide templates for trustees to acknowledge gift receipts and manage accounting records for premium payments and distributions.
Drafting includes setting distribution schedules, naming successor trustees, and specifying trustee powers and limitations. We include provisions for handling policy proceeds, discretionary distributions, and protections against creditor claims where appropriate. The trust language aims to balance administrative flexibility with clear guidance so trustees can act promptly and consistently after a policy payout. Drafting also accounts for tax considerations and coordination with other trust instruments to support cohesive administration.
We coordinate the assignment of existing policies into the ILIT or arrange for issuance of new policies owned by the trust, overseeing beneficiary designations and ownership changes. This step includes verifying carrier requirements and documenting transfers to avoid unintended tax consequences. We counsel on timing to avoid three-year inclusion issues and help establish the accounting procedures trustees must follow when receiving premium funding from grantor gifts or other sources, ensuring a clear paper trail for future administration.
Once an ILIT is established, the trustee must manage premiums, maintain records, and follow the trust’s distribution terms. We counsel trustees on recordkeeping, reporting, and best practices for communication with beneficiaries. Regular reviews of the ILIT alongside the rest of the estate plan are recommended whenever family circumstances change or when tax laws are updated. Periodic checkups help keep the trust aligned with goals, adjust for life events, and make sure administrative responsibilities are being met.
Trustees should maintain detailed records of premium payments, receipts for gifts used to fund premiums, and any distributions made from the trust. Good recordkeeping helps preserve intended tax treatment and protects trustees from disputes. We provide guidance on creating a straightforward system to track financial activity, document communications with beneficiaries, and prepare any necessary filings. Clear documentation simplifies the eventual settlement process and provides transparency for beneficiaries who may question trust administration decisions.
We recommend periodic reviews of the ILIT and related estate planning documents following major life events such as births, deaths, marriages, divorces, or significant changes in asset values. Reviews also help adapt to changes in tax law or family needs. During these reviews we confirm that funding strategies remain viable, trustee appointments are current, and beneficiary designations reflect your intentions. Regular maintenance reduces the risk of outdated documents producing unintended outcomes and keeps the plan responsive to evolving needs.
An Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust is a trust created to own life insurance policies and to receive policy proceeds outside the insured’s taxable estate. The grantor sets up the trust, names a trustee to manage the policy and distributions, and names beneficiaries who will receive trust proceeds according to the trust terms. The trust’s irrevocable nature typically prevents the grantor from reclaiming ownership after transfer, which can provide estate planning advantages such as greater control over distribution and potential tax benefits. People establish ILITs for several reasons, including providing liquidity to pay estate obligations, keeping proceeds out of the taxable estate, and controlling how life insurance benefits are distributed to heirs. An ILIT can be tailored to address specific family needs like support for minors or protection for beneficiaries who may need managed distributions. It’s important to coordinate an ILIT with other estate planning documents and to document funding to achieve the intended results.
Transferring a life insurance policy to an ILIT can remove the policy proceeds from the insured’s taxable estate if the transfer is completed well before death and funding is properly documented. This treatment may reduce estate tax exposure and provide liquidity to pay taxes and administration costs without diminishing other estate assets. Proper documentation, including proof of gifts used to fund premiums and clear proof of ownership by the trust, supports the intended tax outcome. There are timing considerations and exceptions to be aware of that may affect tax treatment. For example, established rules can cause policy proceeds to be included in the estate if the insured transfers ownership and dies within a specified period following the transfer. Careful planning regarding timing, gift documentation, and coordination with other estate planning tools is essential to preserve the desired tax advantages.
Choosing a trustee for an ILIT requires balancing trustworthiness, administrative ability, and impartiality. A trustee must be willing to manage premium payments, recordkeeping, and distributions according to the trust terms. Many families select a relative whose judgment they trust or appoint a professional institutional trustee to provide continuity and administrative capacity. Consider whether a trustee has the time and financial acumen to carry out duties consistently over the long term. It is also important to name successor trustees in case the primary trustee can no longer serve. Including provisions for co-trustees or professional trustees to step in when needed helps ensure uninterrupted administration. Clear instructions in the trust regarding distribution standards and trustee authority also reduce ambiguity and help the trustee fulfill obligations in a way consistent with the grantor’s intent.
After the insured’s death the trustee’s first responsibilities typically include filing claims with the insurance company, receiving the proceeds on behalf of the trust, and administering those funds according to the trust terms. The trustee must keep accurate records of receipts and distributions, communicate with beneficiaries, and ensure that distributions follow the trust’s instructions. Trustees may also need to coordinate with estate professionals to address tax and settlement matters related to other estate assets. Trustees have fiduciary duties to act in beneficiaries’ best interests and to follow the written terms of the trust. These duties require transparency, prudent handling of funds, and documentation of actions taken. Trustees may seek professional advice for complex investments or tax questions, but they retain responsibility for administering the trust consistent with the governing document and applicable law.
Funding ILIT premiums with annual exclusion gifts is a common and practical approach. The grantor can give the trustee annual exclusion gifts to cover premiums, and the trustee uses those gifts to pay the insurance premiums. Proper documentation of each gift, including receipts and a clear record of how funds are used, is essential to support the intended tax treatment and to establish that payments were gifts to the trust and not retained by the grantor. Another funding approach involves setting up a transfer of assets or making larger gifts if needed, but each method has different tax and documentation implications. Clear communication with the trustee and consistent recordkeeping help preserve the intended treatment of gifts and payments, reducing the risk of disputes or unintended tax consequences at the time of administration.
If the insured transfers a policy and dies within a specified period after the transfer, the proceeds may be included in the insured’s taxable estate under applicable rules. This timing rule can negate some of the intended estate planning benefits of an ILIT if transfers occur too close to death. To avoid this outcome, many clients transfer existing policies well before anticipated health declines or purchase new policies directly in the name of the ILIT so that the three-year rule does not apply. Careful planning around timing and documentation is essential. When transfers are necessary and proximity to death is a concern, alternative strategies or partial transfers may be discussed. It is important to document all transfers and to consult with counsel about ways to mitigate the risk of estate inclusion due to timing.
An ILIT typically functions alongside a revocable living trust and will rather than replacing them. While the ILIT holds life insurance policies and controls those proceeds, a revocable living trust and pour-over will manage other estate assets and overall distribution plans. Coordination prevents conflicting instructions, ensures beneficiary designations align with the trust provisions, and allows the pour-over will to move any residual assets into the revocable trust for centralized administration if desired. To achieve coherence among documents, we review all instruments and suggest revisions when beneficiary designations or trust terms conflict. This integrated approach minimizes surprises during estate administration and ensures that life insurance proceeds and other assets are distributed according to the grantor’s overall intentions while reducing the likelihood of disputes among heirs.
An ILIT can provide a measure of protection for life insurance proceeds from certain creditor claims or divorce settlements, depending on trust terms and applicable law. By placing proceeds in a trust and defining distribution standards, the grantor can limit direct access by beneficiaries and create protections that may reduce the risk of funds being subject to creditors. However, the degree of protection depends on the trust’s structure, state law, and the timing of transfers, so results can vary by circumstance. Trust benefits are not absolute and should be considered alongside other protective measures. For comprehensive protection, coordination with other trust arrangements such as special needs trusts, spendthrift provisions, or retirement plan trusts may be appropriate. Legal counsel can help design trust language that aligns protective objectives with enforceability and compliance under California law.
If you create an ILIT to own a life insurance policy, you generally should ensure that beneficiary designations on the policy itself reflect the trust as the owner and beneficiary where appropriate. In many cases, creating an ILIT means the trust becomes the owner of the policy and receives the proceeds, so individual beneficiary designations should be reviewed and possibly updated to prevent conflicts. Coordination prevents unintended payments to individuals that bypass trust protections or contradict your estate plan. Regularly review all beneficiary designations following trust formation and after major life events. If the policy remains outside the ILIT for any reason, verify that beneficiary forms remain consistent with your intentions for distribution. Clear, consistent beneficiary designations reduce confusion and help ensure that policy proceeds are administered as intended by the grantor and trust document.
Review your ILIT and related estate planning documents periodically and after major life events such as births, deaths, marriages, divorces, or significant changes in asset values. Tax law changes can also affect the optimal structure for an ILIT, so periodic review helps ensure the trust continues to meet your objectives and that funding and trustee arrangements remain practical. These reviews help maintain consistency across all estate documents and ensure that trustees and beneficiaries have current guidance. In addition to scheduled reviews, revisit your plan if you anticipate significant changes such as relocating to another state, selling business interests, or purchasing substantial new assets. Prompt updates reduce the risk of outdated provisions producing unintended results and help preserve the intended protections and distributions for beneficiaries when the trust is administered.
Criminal Defense
Homicide Defense
Manslaughter
Assault and Battery
Assault with a Deadly Weapon
Battery Causing Great Bodily Injury
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Protection Orders
Domestic Violence Restraining Order
Arson Defense
Weapons Charges
Illegal Firearm Possessions
Civil Harassment
Civil Harassment Restraining Orders
School Violence Restraining Orders
Violent Crimes Defense
Estate Planning Practice Areas