Planning for the future often starts with a revocable living trust to manage assets, avoid probate, and provide clearer direction for beneficiaries. At the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman, we help residents of Sorrento Valley and the surrounding San Diego County area understand how a revocable living trust can fit into an overall estate plan. A well-drafted trust can incorporate your wishes for distribution of property, outline successor trustees, and provide tools for incapacity planning while maintaining flexibility during your lifetime. This introduction explains what a revocable living trust is and why many families choose it as a central element of their estate arrangements.
A revocable living trust is a living document that you can change while you are alive, allowing you to retain control over assets and make adjustments as your circumstances evolve. It can be used in tandem with other estate planning tools such as a pour-over will, powers of attorney, health care directives, and trust certifications. Establishing a trust can streamline administration after death and help avoid the public and often time-consuming probate process. This paragraph outlines how a trust interacts with other documents and why cohesive planning is important for preserving family privacy and reducing delays following a lifetime of asset accumulation.
Creating a revocable living trust offers several practical advantages for individuals and families, including continuity of asset management, reduced probate delay, and privacy for your heirs. A trust can name successor trustees to manage assets immediately if you become incapacitated, which avoids court-appointed conservatorship proceedings. Trusts can also be structured to simplify transfer of property to beneficiaries and to address special concerns such as minor beneficiaries, recipients with disabilities, or blended family dynamics. This paragraph emphasizes the overall value of integrated planning to protect family interests and provide for a smoother transition when life changes occur.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman provides estate planning services tailored for families and individuals across California, including Sorrento Valley. Our approach focuses on listening to personal goals, explaining legal options in plain language, and preparing documents that reflect each client’s circumstances. We assist with revocable living trusts, pour-over wills, powers of attorney, health care directives, and trust-related petitions. Clients rely on our practical guidance when making decisions about asset management, incapacity planning, and succession. We work to make the legal process straightforward and to produce clear documents that can stand up to future changes in family and financial situations.
A revocable living trust centralizes ownership of assets under a trust vehicle during your lifetime while allowing you to retain control and flexibility. You transfer title to assets into the trust and name yourself as trustee during your lifetime, with a successor trustee designated to manage the trust if you are unable to do so or after your death. The trust document specifies how assets are to be managed and distributed, which can reduce delays and preserve privacy compared to probate. It also pairs with documents like a pour-over will to ensure any overlooked assets are directed into the trust at death, completing a comprehensive estate plan.
The revocability of this trust type means you can amend, update, or revoke the trust as circumstances and wishes change, making it adaptable for life events such as marriage, divorce, or changes in financial holdings. Trusts can address incapacity by granting successor trustees authority to manage property without court involvement. They can also be drafted to include tax and creditor considerations depending on the client’s goals. Understanding these operational features helps individuals make informed choices about whether a revocable living trust should play a central role in their estate plan.
A revocable living trust is a legal arrangement where the grantor places assets into a trust during life, retains the ability to manage those assets, and names a successor trustee to carry out management and distribution later. The trust establishes terms for how property is to be used, protected, and distributed to beneficiaries. Because it is revocable, the grantor can modify terms and reclaim assets if desired. This legal tool helps avoid the public probate process, allows for personal instructions regarding distributions, and facilitates transitions if the grantor becomes incapacitated, making it a practical component of many estate plans.
Key elements of a revocable living trust include naming the grantor and trustee, identifying successor trustees, describing trust assets, and listing beneficiaries and distribution terms. The process often begins with an inventory of assets and titling of property in the trust’s name. Documents such as a pour-over will, financial power of attorney, advance health care directive, and HIPAA authorization commonly accompany the trust to address any assets not retitled and to provide for decision-making if incapacity occurs. After death, the successor trustee administers the trust according to its terms, which can expedite distributions and preserve privacy for beneficiaries.
Estate planning includes specific legal terms that affect how trusts and related documents operate. Understanding definitions such as grantor, trustee, beneficiary, pour-over will, certification of trust, and petitions related to trust administration can help clients make informed choices. This section provides concise definitions and practical descriptions so that individuals feel comfortable asking questions and reviewing draft documents. Familiarity with these terms also helps clients ensure their intentions are accurately reflected in the trust and related estate planning instruments.
The grantor, sometimes called the settlor, is the person who creates the trust and transfers assets into it. The grantor typically serves as trustee during life in a revocable living trust, retaining control over assets and the ability to make changes. The trust document records the grantor’s intent, specifies successor trustees, and outlines distribution instructions for beneficiaries. Understanding the grantor’s role clarifies who has the authority to amend the trust, manage property, and set the terms that will govern the trust both during the grantor’s life and after their death.
A successor trustee succeeds to the duties of managing and distributing trust assets if the original trustee is unable to serve due to incapacity or death. This person or institution steps into a fiduciary role to carry out the trust terms, handle asset management, and communicate with beneficiaries. Choosing a reliable successor trustee is an important decision because they will follow directives in the trust, handle administrative tasks, and ensure timely distribution and accounting. Naming alternate successor trustees provides redundancy if the primary choice cannot serve.
A pour-over will works alongside a revocable living trust to capture any assets that were not transferred into the trust during the grantor’s life. When the estate goes through probate, the pour-over will directs those remaining assets into the trust for distribution according to its terms. It serves as a safety net that ensures a comprehensive transfer plan, but it does not replace the benefits of retitling key assets into the trust while the grantor is alive. A pour-over will is an essential companion document for many trust-based plans.
A certification of trust is a shortened document that summarizes key provisions of the trust, often used to provide proof of the trust and the trustee’s authority without disclosing the full trust terms. Institutions commonly accept this certification when the trustee needs to manage accounts, transfer assets, or resolve title matters. It helps preserve privacy by avoiding public disclosure of the detailed trust provisions while still enabling trustees to demonstrate their legal authority to third parties such as banks, brokerage firms, and title companies.
When deciding between a limited set of documents like a will or standalone powers of attorney and a comprehensive trust-based plan, it helps to compare trade-offs in control, privacy, and administrative burden. A will alone requires probate to transfer many assets, which can be time-consuming and public. Standalone powers of attorney handle decision-making during incapacity but do not address transfer at death. A revocable living trust can combine incapacity planning and asset transfer mechanics into a single instrument, reducing the need for probate and providing continuity of asset management for successors. The right choice depends on family dynamics, asset types, and personal preferences for privacy and planning complexity.
A limited estate planning approach may be adequate for individuals or couples with modest assets, straightforward distribution goals, and no complex tax or family dynamics. In such situations, a will combined with powers of attorney and a health care directive can accomplish basic transfer and incapacity planning without the added administrative steps of establishing and funding a trust. This option can be more cost-effective and simpler to implement while still providing the necessary legal authority for decision-making during incapacity and clear instructions for asset distribution at death.
If a family is comfortable with probate administration and the estate primarily consists of assets that pass outside probate, such as retirement accounts with designated beneficiaries, a limited plan may meet goals without creating a trust. This approach can work for those who prioritize simplicity and have confidence in the probate process for transferring remaining assets. It’s still important to maintain powers of attorney and health care directives to address incapacity. Legal counsel can help determine whether relying on these limited documents meets the family’s needs while identifying any potential gaps.
Families with blended households, minor or disabled beneficiaries, or a mix of real estate and business interests often benefit from a comprehensive trust-based plan. A trust can create tailored distribution schedules, establish provisions for guardianship nominations, and provide asset management continuity. These features help address long-term stewardship needs, protect beneficiary interests, and reduce the potential for disputes. When multiple property types and diverse financial arrangements are present, the coordination provided by a trust creates a clearer framework for future administration and can help reduce friction during an already sensitive time.
Those who seek to avoid the public and sometimes lengthy probate process often select a revocable living trust as a central planning tool. Trust administration is typically private, allowing distributions and asset details to remain confidential. Additionally, a trust can shorten delays for beneficiaries by enabling successor trustees to act quickly when incapacity occurs or upon death. For families prioritizing confidentiality and expedient transfer of assets, a trust-based approach provides a planning pathway that aligns legal control with personal privacy goals, while still allowing flexibility to change provisions as life circumstances evolve.
A comprehensive trust-based approach provides continuity in decision-making, reduces the need for probate, maintains family privacy, and offers tools for managing incapacity. By consolidating asset ownership under the trust, successor trustees can step in to manage affairs without court appointment. The trust also allows tailored distribution schedules for beneficiaries, options for trust modifications while the grantor is alive, and integration with healthcare and financial directives. This holistic planning helps families prepare for a range of future events and creates a coordinated legal structure for preserving and passing on assets.
Beyond administrative advantages, a trust can provide peace of mind by reducing uncertainty for heirs and streamlining the transfer process. Trusts can be drafted to address tax planning considerations, creditor protection for certain trusts, and long-term stewardship needs for beneficiaries who require ongoing management. The flexibility to update the trust while alive allows plans to adapt to changing family circumstances, asset growth, or shifts in personal priorities. When implemented thoughtfully, a comprehensive plan creates clarity and reduces potential disputes during transitions of wealth and responsibility.
One primary benefit of a revocable living trust is the potential to avoid probate for assets properly retitled into the trust. Avoiding probate can shorten the time it takes for beneficiaries to receive inheritances, lower some administrative burdens, and keep the details of distributions out of public court records. For families who value privacy and timely administration, this aspect of trust planning can be particularly important. Proper titling and coordination with beneficiary designations are essential to achieving these benefits, which is why careful drafting and implementation are recommended.
A revocable living trust can include provisions that facilitate management of assets during a grantor’s incapacity without court intervention. By naming successor trustees with clear authority, the trust ensures that bills can be paid, property managed, and financial decisions made in line with the grantor’s intentions. Combined with a financial power of attorney and an advance health care directive, the trust forms part of a coordinated incapacity plan. This continuity reduces the risk of disruption to household finances and offers clarity for family members tasked with caregiving or financial oversight.
Begin trust planning by compiling a thorough inventory of your assets, including real property, bank and investment accounts, retirement plans, insurance policies, business interests, and personal property of value. Knowing how each asset is titled and whether beneficiary designations exist will guide decisions about retitling and coordination with other documents. A complete list helps ensure important items are not overlooked, reduces the need for probate, and makes it easier to implement a pour-over will where necessary. Taking time to document account numbers, deeds, and ownership details streamlines the trustee’s duties later.
Select successor trustees and alternates who can manage assets and make financial decisions if you become unable to serve. When choosing individuals, consider their availability, comfort with financial matters, and ability to handle administrative responsibilities. Naming alternates provides redundancy in case primary choices are unable to serve. You may also consider a professional fiduciary or institutional trustee for complex estates. Clear written guidance within the trust document about successor powers and responsibilities will help ensure a smooth transition and reduce disputes among beneficiaries.
Individuals consider a revocable living trust to gain greater control over how assets will be managed and distributed while avoiding the public probate process. A trust can provide continuity in asset management if incapacity occurs, reduce administrative delays for beneficiaries, and preserve family privacy. For those with real property, out-of-state holdings, minor children, or blended families, a trust offers tailored mechanisms to address these specific needs. Even for those who wish to retain flexibility during life, a revocable trust allows changes over time to accommodate evolving family and financial circumstances.
A trust-based plan pairs well with other essential documents such as a pour-over will, financial power of attorney, advance health care directive, HIPAA authorization, and guardianship nominations for minor children. Together these instruments provide a coordinated approach to incapacity planning and post-death transfers. Estate owners who value privacy, want to minimize probate delays, or who need structured distributions for beneficiaries often prefer the trust route. Legal guidance can help determine how a trust fits into each individual’s goals and how to implement it effectively.
A revocable living trust is commonly used by people with real estate holdings, business interests, multiple properties across states, beneficiaries who are minor or require long-term financial management, or those with complex family situations such as remarriage. It is also appropriate for those who want to reduce the risk of court involvement during incapacity and speed distributions after death. Trusteeship planning and related petitions such as trust modification or Heggstad petitions may be needed in specific cases to address titles and account issues, which underscores the value of early and careful document preparation.
Owners of real estate, including property located outside California, often use a revocable living trust to facilitate post-death transfers and reduce the need for ancillary probate in other states. Retitling deeds into the trust where appropriate can streamline administration, minimize delays, and potentially avoid duplicate probate proceedings. Real property is a common reason to consider a trust because deeds and title arrangements frequently involve additional steps if left solely under individual ownership. Proper planning helps ensure that real estate transfers align with broader estate goals and beneficiary instructions.
When beneficiaries include minor children or individuals who require ongoing support and oversight, a trust can create distribution schedules, terms for access to funds, and mechanisms for oversight through successor trustees. A trust can include provisions for education expenses, living costs, and phased distributions to balance protection with flexibility. It also enables naming guardians and specifying how assets should support a child’s needs while avoiding outright lump sum distributions at a young age. This level of control can provide parents with confidence that their wishes will be followed.
For business owners and individuals with complex portfolios, a trust helps organize ownership and create a plan for continuity and succession. Trusts can be structured to provide for orderly management or sale of a business interest, appoint successor trustees with clear powers, and align business continuity with family wealth transfer goals. This planning can reduce administrative friction and uncertainty at a time when smooth management of business assets is most important. Aligning business succession strategy with estate planning documents ensures consistent instructions across legal instruments.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman serves Sorrento Valley and nearby communities with estate planning services tailored to local needs. Whether you require a revocable living trust, pour-over will, powers of attorney, health care directives, or trust-related petitions, our team provides clear guidance and practical drafting to reflect your intentions. We help clients inventory assets, coordinate beneficiary designations, retitle property into trusts when needed, and prepare companion documents such as HIPAA authorizations and guardianship nominations. Our goal is to create cohesive plans that protect families and simplify transitions.
Clients seek our firm for practical, client-focused estate planning that emphasizes clarity and thorough implementation. We take time to understand family dynamics, identify potential gaps, and draft trust documents that reflect personal goals. Our process includes reviewing asset titles, coordinating beneficiary designations, and recommending companion documents like powers of attorney and advance health care directives to ensure a complete plan. We prioritize effective communication and aim to prepare documents that are easy for trustees and beneficiaries to administer when the time comes.
We also assist with trust administration tasks and trust-related filings when needed, including Heggstad petitions, trust modifications, and certification of trust documents for third parties. Our firm helps trustees understand their duties and provides support for handling assets, accounting requirements, and distributions. For clients who prefer professional fiduciary involvement, we can discuss options and draft clear trustee powers. The objective is to create documents that reduce confusion and minimize the potential for disputes among heirs and successors.
In addition to drafting documents, we offer guidance on implementing the plan, including retitling assets, preparing pour-over wills, and ensuring that health care directives and HIPAA authorizations are in place. Guardianship nominations for minor children are included when appropriate, creating a coherent plan that addresses both incapacity and post-death distribution. We focus on creating durable documents that meet client goals and provide practical solutions that families can rely on during life changes.
Our process begins with a client interview to identify goals, family dynamics, and a comprehensive inventory of assets. We then recommend a plan that may include a revocable living trust, pour-over will, powers of attorney, health care directives, HIPAA authorization, and any necessary trust-related petitions. After drafting documents, we review them with the client to confirm that terms reflect their intentions, assist with signing formalities, and provide guidance on retitling assets and updating beneficiary designations. We remain available to assist with implementation and updating documents as circumstances change.
The first step involves gathering information about assets, family relationships, and goals for distribution and incapacity planning. This includes listing real property, bank and investment accounts, retirement plans, life insurance policies, business interests, and personal property. We assess how each asset is titled and whether beneficiary designations are current. This comprehensive review reveals any items that should be retitled into the trust and identifies companion documents needed to create a coordinated plan that aligns with the client’s objectives for privacy, continuity, and control.
During the planning conference, we explore the client’s intentions for beneficiaries, timing of distributions, concerns about incapacity, and any special needs among heirs. This conversation helps shape the structure of the trust, identify suitable successor trustees, and determine whether additional provisions such as spendthrift protections or phased distributions are appropriate. Clear communication about family priorities and potential future scenarios ensures that the trust document addresses real-life needs and reflects the client’s personal and financial objectives over time.
We review property titles, account registrations, beneficiary designations, and any existing estate planning documents to identify steps required for proper funding and coordination. This review determines which assets should be retitled into the trust and which pass outside the trust by beneficiary designation. It also highlights items that may require special attention, such as business interests or assets located in other states. Addressing these matters early prevents gaps and ensures that the implemented plan functions as intended when incapacity or death occurs.
Once planning decisions are made and assets are reviewed, we prepare the trust document and companion instruments for client review. Drafting includes clear instructions for trustee powers, distribution terms, successor designations, and any specific planning features tailored to family needs. We then walk through the documents with the client, answer questions, and make adjustments as necessary to ensure the language matches their intentions. This step is crucial to create a coherent, usable set of documents that will guide trustees and protect beneficiaries in the future.
Companion documents such as a pour-over will, financial power of attorney, advance health care directive, HIPAA authorization, and certification of trust are prepared to complete the plan. These instruments ensure that assets not placed in the trust are captured by the pour-over will, that decision-makers have authority during incapacity, and that trustees can demonstrate their authority to third parties. Preparing these documents together creates an integrated plan that addresses both incapacity and post-death distribution in a coordinated manner.
After initial drafting, we review the documents with the client to confirm terminology, distribution timing, trustee powers, and any special provisions. We make revisions to reflect the client’s preferences and address potential contingencies. This collaborative review helps avoid ambiguity and ensures that the documents accurately implement the client’s intentions. Clear, carefully drafted language reduces the risk of disputes and supports efficient administration when trustees act on behalf of beneficiaries.
The final step focuses on properly executing the trust and companion documents, funding the trust by retitling assets, and updating beneficiary designations where appropriate. We assist with signing formalities and guide clients through deeds, account changes, and notifications to relevant institutions. Proper funding is essential to realize the trust’s benefits, and we provide checklists and support to complete these tasks. We also explain ongoing maintenance and recommend periodic reviews to update documents after significant life events such as marriage, divorce, births, or changes in assets.
Execution of trust documents often requires signatures in the presence of a notary and, for certain conveyances, witnesses. We guide clients through the necessary formalities to ensure that the trust and related documents are legally effective. For real property transfers, deed preparation and recording may be required. Ensuring correct execution and recording practices protects the integrity of the plan and helps avoid later challenges. We provide clear instructions so clients understand what documents need to be signed, notarized, or recorded with local agencies.
Funding the trust involves retitling assets, updating account registrations, and verifying beneficiary designations on accounts that remain outside the trust. We help clients prepare deeds, bank forms, and account transfer requests, and we coordinate with third parties when necessary. Completing these final steps ensures the trust functions as intended and avoids gaps that could lead to probate. We also discuss long-term maintenance, including when to revisit the plan and how significant life events may prompt updates to trust provisions or supporting documents.
A revocable living trust is a legal arrangement created during life in which assets are transferred into a trust managed by a trustee for the benefit of named beneficiaries. The grantor can serve as trustee while alive and retains the right to amend or revoke the trust, maintaining control over assets. The trust specifies how assets should be managed during incapacity and how distributions should occur after death, offering continuity and privacy. By contrast, a will is a document that takes effect only after death and generally requires probate to transfer assets titled in the individual’s name. A key practical difference is that a trust can allow successor trustees to manage trust assets immediately upon incapacity or death without court involvement, while a will typically triggers probate administration for assets that do not pass by other means. A will is still useful as a safety net through a pour-over will that directs any assets not retitled into the trust into the trust after death. Together, the trust and will form a coordinated plan to address both incapacity and post-death distribution.
A properly funded revocable living trust can substantially reduce the assets that must pass through probate because property retitled into the trust passes according to its terms without court-supervised probate administration. Real property and certain accounts placed into the trust should be administered by successor trustees, enabling more timely distribution and maintaining privacy. However, assets that remain titled in your individual name or have beneficiary designations that override trust terms may still be subject to probate, so complete implementation is important. Avoiding probate depends on careful coordination of account titles and beneficiary forms. Retirement accounts and some payable-on-death accounts typically pass by beneficiary designation and are not moved into a trust; in such cases, reviewing and updating beneficiaries to align with the trust plan is necessary. A pour-over will can capture any assets inadvertently left out of the trust, but it does so through the probate process, so retitling is preferable to minimize probate exposure.
Yes, a revocable living trust can be changed, amended, or revoked by the grantor during their lifetime as long as the grantor is legally competent to do so. This flexibility allows the trust to adapt to changes such as marriage, the birth of children, changes in asset holdings, or shifts in personal preferences regarding distribution. Amendments should be completed in accordance with the formalities outlined in the trust document, and changes should be documented and executed properly to avoid future disputes. Because the trust remains revocable, it does not provide the same permanent protections as certain irrevocable arrangements, but the ability to update the trust provides important flexibility. It is also advisable to maintain clear records of amendments and to review related account titles and beneficiary designations after each change to ensure consistency across the entire estate plan.
Funding a revocable living trust involves transferring ownership of assets into the trust’s name. For real property, this usually means executing and recording a deed that transfers title to the trust. For bank and investment accounts, funding involves changing account registrations to the trust or updating payable-on-death designations as appropriate. Some assets, such as retirement accounts and life insurance, typically pass through beneficiary designations and may not be retitled; instead, beneficiary designations should be coordinated with the trust plan. Deciding which assets to transfer depends on goals, asset types, and the practicalities of retitling. High-value real estate often benefits from trust ownership to avoid probate, while retirement accounts may be left in their original form with updated beneficiaries. Careful review is required to avoid unintended tax consequences and ensure the trust serves its intended purpose, so follow-up after drafting is essential to complete funding steps.
If you become incapacitated and you remain the named trustee of a revocable living trust, successor trustees named in the trust can step in to manage trust assets without a court-appointed conservatorship. The trust often grants immediate authority for successor trustees to pay bills, manage investments, and address property needs according to the terms you established. This private process can avoid the time, expense, and public nature of court conservatorship proceedings, allowing continuity of financial management and care for household needs. To provide comprehensive incapacity planning, the trust should be paired with a financial power of attorney and an advance health care directive so that agents can address non-trust financial matters and medical decisions. Clear instructions in the trust about when successor authority becomes effective help reduce ambiguity and provide practical guidance for family members and institutions handling affairs during incapacity.
Yes, it is generally advisable to maintain a will even if you have a revocable living trust. A pour-over will functions as a backstop to catch any assets that were not retitled into the trust during your lifetime and direct them into the trust for distribution according to its terms. Without such a will, assets inadvertently left outside the trust could pass under intestacy rules or create unintended distributions, which may not align with your overall plan. A will also provides an avenue for certain judicial matters such as formal naming of guardians for minor children if that is needed. While a trust handles many transfer and incapacity functions, the will remains an important component of a complete estate plan to ensure that all assets are ultimately governed by your intentions.
Successor trustees are chosen based on trustworthiness, availability, and the ability to handle administrative responsibilities such as managing finances, communicating with beneficiaries, and making distributions according to the trust. Individuals often select a family member or close friend for this role, and some choose a professional fiduciary or trust company where appropriate. Naming alternates ensures continuity if the primary successor cannot serve. The trust document should clearly outline successor powers and any required procedures for decision-making. Responsibilities of a successor trustee include inventorying trust assets, paying debts and taxes, managing investments during administration, providing accountings where required, and making distributions as the trust dictates. Trustees have fiduciary duties to act prudently and in the beneficiaries’ interests. Clear guidance in the trust can help trustees perform these duties consistently and avoid misunderstandings among beneficiaries.
A revocable living trust does not typically shield assets from creditors during the grantor’s life because the grantor retains control and the power to revoke the trust. For creditor protection, certain irrevocable arrangements or other planning techniques may be required, but those have different legal and tax implications. A revocable trust is mainly a tool for management, incapacity planning, and post-death transfer rather than a vehicle for insulating assets from creditors while the grantor is living. After the grantor’s death, the trust’s ability to protect assets from creditors depends on the trust terms, the timing of claims, and applicable laws. Beneficiary protections such as spendthrift provisions can limit beneficiaries’ access to funds and provide some protection from creditors, but the effectiveness of such provisions varies based on the nature of claims and state law. Legal advice can clarify whether additional planning steps are appropriate for creditor concerns.
You should review your revocable living trust periodically and after significant life events such as marriage, divorce, births, deaths, changes in asset values, or changes in beneficiary needs. Regular reviews ensure that trustee designations, beneficiary names, and distribution instructions remain aligned with your current wishes. Legal and financial changes may also affect the effectiveness of particular planning strategies, so periodic assessment keeps the plan current and functional. Even absent major life events, an occasional review helps confirm that account titles are correct and that beneficiary designations reflect your intentions. Maintaining an up-to-date inventory of assets and following through with retitling where necessary prevents gaps in funding and reduces the need for probate or additional court petitions later.
A complete revocable living trust plan is typically accompanied by a pour-over will to capture assets not transferred into the trust, a financial power of attorney to address non-trust financial matters during incapacity, and an advance health care directive for medical decision-making. A HIPAA authorization allows medical providers to share health information with designated decision-makers. Depending on family circumstances, guardianship nominations for minor children and specialized trusts, such as special needs or pet trusts, may also be appropriate to address particular goals. These companion documents work together to create a cohesive plan that addresses both incapacity and estate distribution. Assistance with executing these documents and funding the trust helps ensure that the plan operates as intended and that successor trustees and agents are prepared to fulfill their roles when necessary.
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