A revocable living trust is a foundational tool for Californians who want to plan how their assets are managed and distributed while avoiding probate. This page explains how a revocable living trust works, who typically benefits from one, and how the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman can assist residents of Rialto and San Bernardino County. We describe common documents that work alongside a trust, such as a pour-over will, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives, and explain how proper trust funding and documentation help protect family assets and simplify transitions when incapacity or death occurs.
Choosing a revocable living trust involves more than signing forms; it requires careful review of your assets, beneficiary selections, successor trustee choices, and coordination with retirement and insurance arrangements. This guide covers practical considerations for setting up and maintaining a trust, including how to transfer property into the trust, when to update trust terms, and how a trust interacts with other estate planning documents like wills and health directives. We also outline advantages families commonly seek, including privacy, continuity of asset management, and streamlined estate administration in Rialto and throughout California.
A revocable living trust provides families with a flexible way to manage assets, designate who inherits, and name successor fiduciaries to act on their behalf in case of incapacity. In California, a properly funded trust can reduce the time, cost, and public exposure associated with probate proceedings, improving privacy and easing the transition of assets to heirs. Trust terms can be updated as life circumstances change, and the trust framework supports continued financial management if a person becomes unable to manage affairs. For many Rialto residents, these benefits translate into greater certainty and fewer burdens for loved ones during difficult times.
Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman provides estate planning services to clients across California, including individuals and families in Rialto and San Bernardino County. Our approach blends careful listening with thorough document drafting to create plans tailored to each client’s goals and family dynamics. We prepare revocable living trusts together with supporting documents such as last wills, financial powers of attorney, and advance health care directives, and we handle trust funding, transfer of assets, and related petitions when necessary. The goal is to provide clear, practical plans that protect assets and simplify administration for your loved ones.
A revocable living trust is a legal arrangement that holds title to selected assets during your lifetime and distributes them according to your instructions after your passing. Unlike a will alone, a trust can provide continuous management of property if you become incapacitated, allowing a named successor trustee to step in without court involvement. The trust is revocable, so you retain flexibility to change beneficiaries, update terms, or revoke the trust entirely while you are alive. Properly moving assets into the trust, a process called funding, is essential so that the trust serves its intended purpose and minimizes the potential for probate.
Trusts interact with other estate planning documents to reflect a complete plan. A pour-over will funnels assets not transferred into the trust at death into the trust administration, and powers of attorney allow agents to act for financial and health matters during incapacity. Some assets, such as retirement accounts, may still pass outside the trust by beneficiary designation, so coordination is important to align all documents with your objectives. Regular review ensures that changes in family structure, new assets, or new laws are reflected so the trust continues to operate as intended.
A revocable living trust is a written agreement that names a trustee to hold and manage assets for the benefit of designated beneficiaries. The person creating the trust typically acts as trustee while alive and retains authority to manage trust assets, change terms, or revoke the trust. The trust becomes an administrative mechanism to manage property and direct distributions, and it can provide instructions for asset management during incapacity and for distribution after death. The flexibility of a revocable trust makes it a widely used planning tool for individuals who want control during life and an orderly plan for the transfer of assets to heirs.
Creating a revocable living trust involves identifying assets to include, drafting the trust document with clear distribution provisions, naming successor trustees and beneficiaries, and completing transfers of title or beneficiary designations to fund the trust. Other steps include preparing complementary documents such as a pour-over will, financial power of attorney, advance health care directive, and any trust certifications needed for banks or other institutions. Following the initial setup, periodic reviews help ensure asset lists and beneficiary designations remain accurate, and that the trust continues to reflect changing family or financial circumstances.
Understanding common terms used in trust planning helps you make informed decisions. Key phrases include trustee, beneficiary, probate, funding, pour-over will, and successor trustee. These concepts shape how assets are controlled during life, handled during incapacity, and distributed after death. A grasp of these definitions makes it easier to work with legal counsel and financial institutions to create a trust that fits your needs. Below are plain-language explanations of a few of the most frequently used terms in revocable living trust practice in California.
A trustee is the individual or institution responsible for managing assets held in a trust according to its terms. While the trustmaker typically serves as initial trustee, a successor trustee is named to take responsibility if the trustmaker becomes incapacitated or dies. Trustees have a duty to follow the trust’s provisions, act in the beneficiaries’ interests, and manage assets prudently. In California, a trustee’s role includes recordkeeping, investing consistent with the trust’s objectives, and distributing trust property as directed, providing continuity of management without court-appointed guardianship or conservatorship.
Probate is the court-supervised process for proving a will, administering an estate, and distributing assets owned in the decedent’s name at death. Probate can be time-consuming, public, and more costly than private trust administration. One of the primary advantages of a revocable living trust is that properly funded assets may avoid probate, allowing for a more private and potentially quicker transfer of property to beneficiaries. Even with a trust, certain assets and specific circumstances may still require some court involvement, so careful planning helps minimize the need for probate.
Funding the trust means transferring ownership of assets into the name of the trust so that the trust holds legal title. This may include real estate deeds, bank accounts, investment accounts, and business interests. Funding ensures the trust operates as intended and reduces the likelihood that assets will have to pass through probate. Some assets, like retirement accounts, may remain outside the trust and instead use beneficiary designations to pass at death. A complete plan coordinates funding with other documents so the trust accurately reflects the client’s asset portfolio.
A pour-over will is a type of will used alongside a revocable living trust to ensure that any assets not transferred into the trust during the trustmaker’s life are transferred, or poured over, into the trust at death. The pour-over will acts as a safety net to capture assets inadvertently left out of the trust so they can be administered under the trust terms. While a pour-over will may still require a limited probate process to transfer those assets to the trust, it simplifies distribution by ensuring a single set of instructions governs disposition of the estate.
When planning for the future, individuals can choose from several approaches including a simple last will and testament, a revocable living trust, or a combination of documents coordinated together. A will controls assets that are solely in your name at death, but it typically requires probate to carry out those instructions. A revocable living trust can provide more immediate continuity of management and privacy, while a coordinated package of trust, will, powers of attorney, and health directives offers a comprehensive solution. The best option depends on asset types, family circumstances, privacy preferences, and the desire to simplify post-death administration for loved ones.
For individuals with modest estates comprised primarily of jointly owned property, payable-on-death bank accounts, and small personal holdings, a straightforward last will or beneficiary designations may provide sufficient planning. If assets are already arranged to transfer outside probate and family relationships are uncomplicated, a limited plan can offer clarity with lower upfront costs. However, even modest estates can benefit from powers of attorney and health care directives to ensure financial and medical decisions are handled according to your preferences if you become unable to act on your own.
When retirement accounts and life insurance policies have clear beneficiary designations and significant assets are held jointly with right of survivorship, the need for a trust may be reduced. Joint ownership and direct-designation transfers can allow assets to pass quickly without probate. Nevertheless, these arrangements do not address incapacity planning, minor guardianship nominations, or privacy concerns. Adding a simple will, powers of attorney, and advance health care directive fills these gaps and ensures that your overall plan addresses both asset transfer and personal decision-making in times of incapacity or transition.
When an estate includes real property, business interests, multiple bank and investment accounts, or assets across states, a revocable living trust often provides the organization and continuity needed to manage those assets efficiently. A trust helps centralize control, reduce the likelihood of probate for assets properly funded to the trust, and provides flexibility for ongoing management under the terms you choose. For families with blended dynamics, minor beneficiaries, or special transfer wishes, a comprehensive plan using a trust can ensure directions are clear and transitions occur smoothly.
A trust-based plan supports privacy by avoiding the public probate process and allows for private administration according to your directions. It also provides a built-in mechanism for incapacity planning, enabling a successor trustee to manage financial affairs without court intervention. Families who want to protect continuity of management, provide for long-term care of a loved one, or include detailed distribution instructions often find that a comprehensive trust plan reduces stress and uncertainty for those left to carry out their wishes. Proper drafting and funding create a reliable framework for these outcomes.
A comprehensive estate plan built around a revocable living trust often yields advantages in privacy, continuity of asset management, and flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances. By consolidating title to key assets within the trust and coordinating beneficiary designations, families typically see a smoother post-death transition and reduced involvement of the probate court. Additionally, the plan can include provisions for incapacity, allowing trusted successors to manage finances and care decisions without delay, which helps maintain family stability and preserve assets during difficult transitions.
Because revocable living trusts are changeable during the trustmaker’s lifetime, they allow for ongoing adjustments as family circumstances, financial conditions, or goals evolve. Combined documents like powers of attorney and health care directives ensure that both financial and medical decisions will be handled in line with your preferences if you cannot act for yourself. This holistic approach reduces uncertainty, provides clear instructions for decision-makers, and typically shortens the time needed to finalize estate matters after a death, lessening administrative burdens on relatives and preserving more of the estate’s value for intended beneficiaries.
One key benefit of a trust-centered plan is the privacy it affords family affairs by avoiding the public probate process for properly funded assets. Trust administration is generally handled privately between trustees and beneficiaries, which can spare families the exposure and delays associated with court filings. This privacy helps maintain dignity and discretion for sensitive matters, reduces the risk of disputes fueled by public records, and can lead to a more efficient resolution of property distribution according to your intentions.
A comprehensive trust ensures that designated successor trustees can manage financial affairs immediately if the trustmaker becomes unable to act, avoiding the need for court-appointed guardianship or conservatorship. This continuity preserves timely bill payment, investment management, and care arrangements, preventing lapses that could erode family resources. By specifying clear instructions and naming reliable successors, a trust-based plan supports steady management and protects the interests of both the incapacitated person and beneficiaries who rely on ongoing stewardship of assets.
Before creating or funding a trust, prepare a complete inventory of your assets, including real property, bank and brokerage accounts, retirement plans, life insurance policies, business interests, and personal property. Gather titles, deeds, account statements, and beneficiary designation forms. Having organized information speeds the creation process, reduces errors in funding, and ensures nothing important is overlooked. Clear documentation helps ensure transfers into the trust are completed correctly and that beneficiary designations for accounts are coordinated with the trust’s objectives.
Select successor trustees and agents thoughtfully and provide them with clear written guidance about your preferences and the locations of important documents. Choose individuals who can act responsibly and who understand the duties involved, and consider naming backup individuals in case the first choice is unavailable. Also document where trust paperwork, account information, and passwords are stored so trustees and agents can access what they need. Clear instructions and accessible records reduce delays and stress when successors step into their roles.
People consider revocable living trusts for several reasons: to avoid or minimize probate, to provide for seamless management during incapacity, to enhance privacy, and to reduce administrative burdens on loved ones after death. Trusts are especially useful for property holdings like real estate or complex investment portfolios, where continuity of management and clear distribution instructions are important. By integrating powers of attorney and health care directives, a trust-centered plan addresses both asset transfer and personal decision-making, helping families plan comprehensively for future uncertainties and changes in circumstances.
A trust can also be useful for planning for children, beneficiaries with special needs, or situations where phased distributions are desired to protect inheritance over time. When combined with a pour-over will and properly coordinated beneficiary designations, a trust builds a robust framework tailored to each family’s goals. Regular reviews and updates help the plan remain aligned with legal developments and life events, offering peace of mind that your affairs are arranged with an eye toward orderly management and thoughtful distribution to those you care about.
There are several common circumstances that prompt individuals to create revocable living trusts, including ownership of real estate in multiple counties, a desire to avoid probate, planning for minor or special needs beneficiaries, and preparing for potential incapacity. Life events such as marriage, divorce, new children, or significant changes in asset holdings also make it sensible to review and potentially adopt a trust-based plan. A trust can be tailored to address specific family goals and to ensure that financial and health-related decisions are handled in line with your wishes.
Owners of residential or investment real estate often use trusts to facilitate orderly transfer of property interests without probate delays. Holding property in a trust can streamline management during incapacity and allow for clear instructions regarding sale, retention, or transfer to beneficiaries. For individuals with properties in different counties or states, a trust reduces the need for separate probate proceedings and helps ensure consistent treatment of real estate assets according to the trustmaker’s wishes, simplifying administration for successors.
Parents often use trusts to provide for minor children, beneficiaries with special needs, or family members who may need structured distributions. Trust provisions can set ages or milestones for distributions, create mechanisms for education and support, and establish protections so assets are preserved for long-term benefit. A trust can include directions for appointment of guardians for minors and help ensure that financial resources are managed responsibly for beneficiaries who require additional care or oversight.
Individuals who place a high value on privacy and wish to minimize public court involvement often choose a trust-based plan to keep administration matters private among trustees and beneficiaries. A trust typically allows for quicker transfer of assets to beneficiaries upon death when assets have been properly funded to the trust, reducing delays associated with probate. Families seeking to ease the administrative workload on survivors and maintain confidential handling of estate matters frequently find trusts attractive for these reasons.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman assists Rialto residents with revocable living trusts and related estate planning documents, including pour-over wills, financial powers of attorney, advance health care directives, trust certifications, and petitions for trust modification or Heggstad relief when necessary. We help clients prepare documents such as irrevocable life insurance trusts, special needs trusts, and retirement plan trusts, and we guide the funding process to ensure the trust operates as intended. Our role is to provide clear guidance and careful drafting so your plan addresses your priorities and family circumstances.
Clients choose the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman because we provide personalized estate planning that reflects individual priorities and family dynamics. We take time to understand goals, review asset inventories, and explain the effects of different planning tools in plain language. Our services include drafting revocable living trusts, preparing complementary documents such as pour-over wills and advance directives, assisting with trust funding, and answering questions about trust administration and related petitions. We focus on practical solutions that aim to reduce uncertainty and provide clear instructions for the future.
When preparing a revocable living trust, attention to detail in document drafting, proper titling of assets, and coordination with account beneficiary designations are essential. We help clients with each of these steps, creating a coherent plan that anticipates common issues and offers straightforward paths for successors to follow. Our work includes identifying records that should be kept with the trust, helping with deed transfers when appropriate, and ensuring powers of attorney and health care directives align with the trustmaker’s intentions, so families are prepared for both incapacity and eventual distribution of assets.
Clear communication and ongoing accessibility are important parts of our service. We provide guidance on review schedules and how to update documents after life events such as marriage, divorce, birth of a child, or changes in asset ownership. For clients with more complex needs, we prepare additional instruments like irrevocable life insurance trusts, special needs trusts, or retirement plan trusts. Our goal is to deliver practical, well-drafted documents that help protect clients’ wishes and reduce the administrative burden on their loved ones.
Our process begins with a detailed intake to understand assets, family relationships, and estate planning goals. We discuss options like revocable living trusts, pour-over wills, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives, then draft documents tailored to the client’s needs. After documents are signed, we assist with funding the trust, transferring titles, and coordinating beneficiary designations as needed. We schedule follow-up reviews to keep the plan current, and we can advise on trust administration or file necessary petitions if modifications or court filings become appropriate.
During the initial meeting we review your goals, family circumstances, and a detailed inventory of assets. We discuss who you wish to name as beneficiaries and successor trustees, and identify any special considerations such as children with disabilities, blended family issues, or business interests. This stage sets the foundation for drafting documents that reflect your priorities and ensures we understand specific items that require special handling. The information gathered helps shape a trust structure and complementary instruments to meet your objectives.
We spend time understanding what matters most to you, whether protecting a spouse, planning for children, providing for charitable gifts, or arranging phased distributions. This conversation helps determine the trust provisions, distribution schedules, and powers granted to trustees. Exploring scenarios such as incapacity, long-term care needs, and potential conflicts among heirs allows us to draft clear instructions that minimize ambiguity and reduce the likelihood of disputes. Aligning legal documents with personal goals ensures a practical estate plan.
Collecting titles, account statements, beneficiary designation forms, insurance policies, and deeds allows us to draft documents and plan for funding the trust. We review existing wills and powers of attorney to determine whether updates or replacements are necessary. Identifying jointly held assets and accounts with beneficiary designations helps clarify which items must be retitled or otherwise coordinated with the trust. Accurate documentation reduces errors during trust funding and ensures the plan covers all intended assets.
Once we have a clear understanding of assets and goals, we draft the revocable living trust and accompanying documents, including a pour-over will, financial power of attorney, and advance health care directive. Drafting emphasizes clarity of distribution instructions, naming successor trustees, and including provisions for incapacity. We provide clients with the draft for review, discuss potential revisions, and explain the practical operation of the trust. This collaborative review period ensures the final documents reflect current wishes and practical administration considerations.
The trust document is prepared to reflect distribution terms, management powers, and successor trustee appointments, while complementary documents fill gaps and support the trust’s operation. Pour-over wills ensure any untransferred property at death is directed into the trust; powers of attorney authorize agents to act during incapacity; and advance health care directives convey medical care preferences. These documents work together to create a cohesive plan that addresses both financial and health-related decision-making.
After drafting, we review the instruments with the client, explain key provisions, and make any necessary revisions. We discuss signing formalities and steps for funding the trust, including deeds for real property and changes to account registrations if desired. The finalization includes witnessed and notarized signatures as required by California law and preparation of certifications or letters for institutions that may later request proof of the trust’s terms, helping successors access assets when appropriate.
Funding the trust is essential to its effectiveness and often involves retitling property, changing account registrations, and confirming beneficiary designations where appropriate. We assist clients with the steps needed to transfer assets into the trust and provide guidance on maintaining records and updating documents after significant life events. Periodic reviews are recommended to ensure that new assets, changes in relationships, or legal developments are reflected so the trust continues to meet the client’s objectives over time.
We help prepare deeds, account transfer forms, and trustee certifications required by financial institutions to place assets in the trust’s name. Some transfers require additional documentation or coordination with third parties such as title companies or retirement plan administrators. Our goal is to make funding as straightforward as possible and to confirm that key assets are properly titled to reduce the chance of probate and to ensure that the trust functions as intended for management and distribution purposes.
After a trust is in place, we recommend periodic reviews and are available to assist with trust administration when the time comes. Reviews address changes in asset portfolios, beneficiary circumstances, and life events like births, deaths, marriages, or divorces. When administration is required, we provide guidance on trustee responsibilities, distribution steps, required notices, and any filings that may be necessary. This ongoing support helps ensure the plan remains effective and aligned with the trustmaker’s intentions.
A last will and testament is a document that directs how property titled solely in your name should be distributed at death and can nominate guardians for minor children, but it typically must be processed through probate to transfer assets. A revocable living trust, by contrast, holds title to assets in the trust’s name and provides instructions for management and distribution without the same level of court supervision when assets have been properly funded. Trusts also provide a mechanism for managing assets during incapacity, allowing a successor trustee to act without court appointment. While both instruments are part of many estate plans, a trust-centered plan often reduces public court involvement and can streamline administration for beneficiaries. The trustmaker retains control of trust assets while alive and can modify or revoke the trust. A pour-over will is commonly used alongside a trust to catch any assets not transferred during life, so both documents work together to create a cohesive plan that addresses asset transfer and incapacity planning.
Funding real estate into a revocable living trust typically requires preparing and recording a new deed that transfers title from the owner to the trust. The deed must be drafted to comply with California recording requirements and may trigger considerations such as mortgage due-on-sale clauses, reassessment issues for property tax purposes, or lender approval. We assist clients by preparing deed forms, coordinating with title companies, and ensuring the deed accurately reflects the trust’s ownership while protecting the client’s interests. It is important to retain copies of recorded deeds and to notify insurance carriers and relevant parties of the change in ownership to the trust. Some clients prefer to keep property management arrangements unchanged while transferring title; properly drafted documents and clear communications with service providers help ensure a smooth transition. Coordination with other estate documents ensures that real property is treated consistently with overall distribution goals.
A revocable living trust does not generally shield assets from preexisting creditors or pending judgments because the trustmaker retains control and the ability to revoke the trust during life. Creditors may have claims against assets depending on individual circumstances and timing. For asset protection from future creditors or lawsuits, other planning tools may be appropriate, but those typically involve irrevocable transfers and different legal considerations. Assessment of creditor exposure and appropriate strategies should be tailored to the client’s situation and legal constraints. That said, a properly administered trust can help with orderly distribution and may make administration after death more efficient. For clients with significant creditor concerns, discussing available planning options and the trade-offs between control, flexibility, and protection is essential. We review alternatives and help identify approaches that align with the client’s goals and legal environment.
Trust documents should be reviewed periodically, especially after major life events such as marriage, divorce, births, deaths, retirement, or significant changes in assets. Laws and tax rules also change over time, and periodic review ensures that the trust remains aligned with your wishes and current legal requirements. Many advisors recommend a review every few years or after major financial changes to confirm that asset lists, beneficiary designations, and trustee appointments remain appropriate. During a review, we check whether new assets need to be funded to the trust, whether beneficiary designations require updates, and whether the trust provisions still reflect current distribution preferences. Addressing these items proactively helps avoid unintended outcomes and reduces stress for successors who will administer the trust in the future.
Yes, many people name themselves as the initial trustee of a revocable living trust so they can continue to manage their assets in the same way they always have. Naming yourself as trustee allows you to retain full control over trust assets during your lifetime while naming successor trustees to act if you become unable to manage your affairs. Selecting appropriate successor trustees and backup choices is an important part of the plan to ensure continuity of management when needed. It is important to document successor appointments clearly and to provide trustees with the necessary information and records to carry out their duties. While serving as your own trustee preserves control, you should also consider who will step in and how they will access records and account information to avoid delays or disputes later.
If you move to another state, your California revocable living trust generally remains valid because trust law allows personal property and real property transfers under the terms of the trust. However, moving may introduce considerations such as differences in state law, tax implications, or the need to retitle property located in the new state. It makes sense to review the trust with counsel knowledgeable about the laws in your new state to confirm whether any changes are advisable to maintain effectiveness and compliance. A review after relocation can address changes in asset ownership, beneficiary circumstances, or local legal differences that might affect administration. Updating contact information, trustee locations, and any relevant provisions will help ensure the trust continues to operate smoothly wherever you live.
A revocable living trust often includes provisions for managing assets in the event of incapacity, enabling a named successor trustee to step in and handle financial affairs without court intervention. This arrangement can expedite access to funds needed for care, housing, and bills, and reduces the administrative delays and public process associated with guardianship or conservatorship proceedings. When combined with a durable financial power of attorney and advance health care directive, the trust helps create a coordinated plan for both financial and medical decision-making during incapacity. Clear instructions within the trust and related documents help successors understand the trustmaker’s preferences for long-term care, housing, and distributions for support. Providing trustees and agents with access to records and a concise plan of priorities helps ensure continuity of management and supports compassionate, timely decision-making for the benefit of the incapacitated person.
Generally, creating a revocable living trust does not itself produce immediate federal income tax consequences or estate tax benefits while the trustmaker is alive because the trustmaker retains control and the right to revoke the trust. For estate tax purposes, assets in a revocable trust are typically treated as part of the trustmaker’s taxable estate at death. However, trusts can be drafted to include provisions that work with other tax planning strategies or to accommodate portability and other tax considerations for married couples. Because tax consequences depend on the size of an estate and the applicable laws at the time of death, it is important to coordinate trust planning with tax advisors when estate tax exposure could be an issue. Our role is to draft clear documents and coordinate with financial or tax advisors to align estate planning with broader financial strategies and compliance needs.
A pour-over will is a will designed to transfer any assets not already placed into a revocable living trust into that trust upon death. It acts as a safety net to ensure assets inadvertently left out of the trust during life will be administered under the trust’s terms. While the pour-over will may still be subject to a limited probate process to transfer those assets into the trust, it simplifies final distribution by consolidating assets under the trust’s instructions. Including a pour-over will in a trust-centered plan reduces the risk that assets will be distributed according to different documents or beneficiary designations. It provides continuity for estate administration and helps ensure that distribution goals are carried out even if funding was incomplete or assets were acquired late in life without retitling.
To help ensure beneficiaries receive distributions as intended, clearly state distribution criteria, timing, and conditions in the trust document, and name reliable successor trustees to carry out those instructions. Consider including specific guidance on how funds should be used, whether distributions are made in installments or at certain ages, and whether oversight or protections are needed for beneficiaries who may require management. Clear, simple language reduces the potential for disputes and helps trustees implement your wishes without unnecessary delay. Additionally, keep detailed records and provide successors with information about asset locations, account access, and professional advisors. Regularly review and update the trust and related documents after life events to ensure beneficiary designations and distribution plans remain aligned with current intentions. Good documentation and planning make it more likely that distributions occur smoothly and in accordance with your wishes.
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