A revocable living trust is a flexible estate planning tool that helps people in Arroyo Grande and across San Luis Obispo County manage assets during life and ease transfer after death. At the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman we help families create revocable living trusts tailored to their goals, including privacy preservation, probate avoidance, and efficient distribution to heirs. This page explains what a revocable living trust is, how it operates in California, and practical considerations for funding, naming successors, and coordinating related documents like pour-over wills and powers of attorney so your affairs remain organized and manageable.
When you choose to establish a revocable living trust you gain greater control over how your property is managed now and in the future. A living trust can make transitions smoother for loved ones, minimize delays after incapacity or death, and protect the privacy of your estate by reducing probate exposure. This guide outlines services we provide for Arroyo Grande residents, common scenarios where a living trust is beneficial, and typical next steps including document preparation, trust funding, trust certification, and coordination with retirement or life insurance trusts to align with your overall financial and family planning goals.
A revocable living trust can be an effective tool for managing personal and financial affairs during life and directing distribution after death while maintaining privacy and reducing the need for probate court involvement. For many Arroyo Grande residents it provides straightforward successor management should incapacity occur, and clear instructions for asset distribution that family members can follow without court oversight. The trust structure is flexible, allowing changes as circumstances evolve while also streamlining administration for loved ones. Properly funded trusts paired with pour-over wills and supporting documents tend to reduce administration time and potential disputes during difficult transitions.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman serves clients across California from our San Jose office with a focus on clear, practical estate planning solutions. Our approach emphasizes listening to each client’s unique circumstances, explaining legal choices in plain language, and preparing documents that reflect their goals. We work with families in Arroyo Grande to prepare revocable living trusts, pour-over wills, powers of attorney, health directives, and related trust documents so that plans are coordinated and easy to follow. We also assist with trust funding and amendments to keep plans current as life changes occur.
A revocable living trust is a written agreement that holds legal title to specified assets for the benefit of named beneficiaries while allowing the grantor to retain control during life. In California the grantor typically names a successor trustee to manage trust assets if the grantor becomes unable to act or after death. Trusts are revocable, meaning the grantor may amend or revoke the trust during life, which allows flexibility for changing circumstances. Creating a trust also involves coordinating other documents such as a pour-over will to catch assets not retitled into the trust and health care directives to address incapacity.
Funding the trust is an important step: it involves retitling property, assigning assets, and ensuring beneficiary designations and retirement plans are coordinated with the trust’s structure. A properly funded trust reduces the likelihood that assets will pass through probate and can simplify administration. The trust document itself sets out who manages the assets, how and when distributions occur, and any conditions the grantor wishes to include, such as specific distributions for children or charitable gifts. Working through these details in advance clarifies intentions and reduces uncertainty for successors.
A revocable living trust is a private, flexible estate planning instrument in which a grantor transfers legal ownership of assets into a trust while keeping the ability to change or revoke the trust during life. The trust names a trustee to manage assets for the grantor’s benefit initially, and a successor trustee to take over if the grantor becomes incapacitated or dies. Unlike a will, a living trust often allows assets to pass to beneficiaries without formal probate court proceedings, which can save time and maintain privacy. The trust may also be paired with supporting documents that ensure continuity and authority to act when needed.
Creating a revocable living trust involves drafting the trust document, identifying and retitling assets to the trust, naming successor trustees and beneficiaries, and preparing complementary documents like powers of attorney and health care directives. The process typically includes an information-gathering meeting to list assets, evaluate beneficiary goals, and plan distributions. After signing, funding the trust and updating titles or accounts cement the plan. Periodic review and amendments keep the arrangement aligned with life events such as marriage, birth of children, divorce, or changes in financial circumstances.
Understanding common terms helps demystify the trust creation and administration process. This glossary covers essential vocabulary such as grantor, trustee, beneficiary, trust funding, pour-over will, successor trustee, and trust certification. Knowing these definitions helps clients make informed decisions when choosing structure and provisions for their revocable living trust. Clear terminology also supports better coordination with retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and deeds when aligning overall estate plans. If any term is unclear, we explain it in practical, situation-based terms so you feel confident about the plan you adopt.
The grantor is the person who creates the trust and transfers assets into it. As the trust maker the grantor typically retains control over trust assets during life, including power to manage, amend, or revoke the trust. The grantor’s instructions within the document specify who will benefit from the assets and who will step in as successor trustee if the grantor cannot manage affairs. Clarity about the grantor’s wishes and asset lists ensures the trust functions as intended, especially when coordinating with other estate documents and beneficiary designations on accounts.
A successor trustee is the person or entity appointed to manage trust assets if the initial trustee can no longer serve due to incapacity or death. The successor trustee has a fiduciary duty to follow the trust’s terms, manage assets responsibly, and make distributions to beneficiaries as directed. Choosing a reliable successor trustee is an important decision; options include a trusted family member, a friend, or a professional fiduciary. The trust should include clear successor instructions and contingencies to avoid confusion during transitions and ensure continuity of management.
Trust funding refers to the process of transferring legal title or ownership of assets into the trust so the trust holds them directly. Funding may involve retitling real estate, changing account ownership or beneficiary designations, assigning tangible property, and ensuring business interests or retirement assets are addressed. Proper funding is essential because assets that remain solely in the grantor’s name may still require probate. A funding checklist helps identify assets needing attention and ensures the trust functions as intended when administration or distribution occurs.
A pour-over will is a backup document that directs any assets not transferred into the trust during the grantor’s lifetime to be transferred into the trust at death. It serves as a safety net to capture property that may have been inadvertently omitted from funding. While a pour-over will still typically goes through probate for those assets, it helps consolidate final distributions under the trust’s terms and supports the grantor’s overall plan to have the trust govern distribution and administration of assets after death.
Choosing between a revocable living trust, a will, and other estate planning tools depends on priorities such as privacy, probate avoidance, ease of administration, and cost. Wills remain useful for naming guardians and specifying distributions but usually require probate to transfer assets. Trusts, when properly funded, can avoid probate and provide smoother transitions but require initial setup and retitling of assets. Other documents like powers of attorney and health care directives address incapacity, while irrevocable trusts and retirement plan trusts serve different tax or protection goals. Evaluating family needs and asset types helps determine the right combination of documents.
For individuals with relatively small estates and straightforward family arrangements a simple will combined with powers of attorney and a health care directive may suffice. If most assets are held in joint tenancy, have beneficiary designations, or are otherwise transferable outside probate, the additional cost and effort of a revocable living trust might be unnecessary for some families. The choice depends on whether privacy, expedited transfers, and detailed asset management during incapacity are priorities. We help clients assess whether limited planning meets their goals or whether broader trust-based planning is preferable.
When retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and bank accounts already have up-to-date beneficiary designations and property is jointly owned in a way that passes automatically at death, a streamlined plan can accomplish many objectives without a trust. In such situations maintaining clear beneficiary designations and keeping essential documents current can provide the necessary transfers and avoid probate for many assets. Careful review is important because inconsistent or outdated beneficiary forms can create unintended results; periodic review ensures designations reflect current intentions and family circumstances.
When families have diverse assets including real estate, business interests, retirement accounts, and blended family situations a comprehensive approach with a revocable living trust can provide clarity, control, and smoother administration. Trusts allow for tailored distribution schedules, protections for beneficiaries, and straightforward management during incapacity. Addressing multiple asset types and family relationships in one coordinated plan reduces the risk of conflicts and gaps between documents. Planning ahead with coordinated trust and beneficiary arrangements makes administration less burdensome for heirs and helps avoid unnecessary court involvement.
For people who prioritize privacy or who want to minimize probate proceedings, a revocable living trust can be a preferred option because trust administration often avoids public probate court processes. Trusts do not typically require the same level of court supervision, which can reduce public exposure of asset details and speed distribution to beneficiaries. When confidentiality and reduced administrative burden for surviving family members are priorities, coordinating a trust with complementary documents such as trust certifications and pour-over wills supports those goals while ensuring legal authorities are in place to manage assets if incapacity occurs.
A comprehensive trust-based plan can streamline asset management, provide continuity if incapacity occurs, protect privacy, and reduce the need for probate court involvement. By combining a revocable living trust with powers of attorney, health care directives, and pour-over wills, clients create a coordinated framework that addresses both life management and post-death distribution. This approach reduces administrative complexity for loved ones, clarifies decision-making authority, and helps ensure assets are distributed according to the grantor’s intentions rather than through default state rules.
Comprehensive planning also facilitates thoughtful decisions about timing and conditions for distributions, support for minor or disabled beneficiaries, and the handling of retirement accounts and life insurance. Incorporating documents such as trust certifications and general assignments to a trust aids successor trustees in demonstrating authority and accessing assets smoothly. Periodic review of the comprehensive plan ensures it stays aligned with life changes, tax law updates, and evolving family needs, providing peace of mind that affairs are in order and management transitions will be orderly when they occur.
A primary benefit of a trust-based plan is continuity of asset management if the grantor becomes unable to handle affairs. Naming a successor trustee and preparing powers of attorney and health care directives gives trusted individuals the authority to make financial and medical decisions without court intervention. This continuity helps maintain bill payments, investment management, and day-to-day financial affairs. Advance planning reduces delays and stress for family members who otherwise might face complexity or uncertainty in arranging temporary or long-term management of finances and property.
Trusts often allow assets to transfer to beneficiaries without public probate proceedings, which keeps financial affairs private and can expedite distribution. This efficiency benefits families who wish to avoid the time and publicity associated with probate court. By coordinating asset retitling and beneficiary designations with the trust terms, distributions can be handled more directly, reducing administrative costs and procedural delays. For many clients, the combination of privacy and efficiency is a compelling reason to prefer a trust-based plan over relying solely on a will and individual account designations.
Begin by compiling a thorough inventory of assets including real estate, bank and investment accounts, retirement plans, business interests, life insurance policies, and valuable personal property. Include account numbers, ownership details, and existing beneficiary designations. This inventory helps identify what requires retitling to the trust and what can remain as is with beneficiary forms. A complete list also makes the initial planning meeting more productive and reduces the chance of assets being overlooked, which can create complications for beneficiaries and possibly require probate to transfer those items.
Life events such as marriage, divorce, births, deaths, or changes in financial holdings can affect any estate plan. Schedule periodic reviews of the trust and related documents to confirm they still reflect current wishes and account details. Adjust successor trustee choices, beneficiary designations, and funding as needed to accommodate life changes. Regular review helps prevent outdated provisions from causing confusion or unintended outcomes. Keeping documents current also ensures that successor trustees and family members have clear guidance when they need to manage or distribute assets.
Residents in Arroyo Grande frequently choose revocable living trusts for reasons including privacy, avoidance of probate, and better management during potential incapacity. A trust can provide clear instructions for successor management, reduce delays in asset distribution to beneficiaries, and limit public court involvement in private family affairs. People with real estate, multiple accounts, blended families, or beneficiaries with special needs often find trust-based plans align better with their goals than a will alone. We help clients weigh the benefits and implement plans that address their unique family and financial circumstances.
Other reasons to consider a trust include coordinating transfers for business interests, ensuring smooth access to funds for care or expenses, and establishing structured distributions for younger beneficiaries. Trusts can also work with supplemental documents like HIPAA authorizations and guardianship nominations for minor children to form a comprehensive planning package. By preparing a trust with clear management provisions and successor naming, clients reduce uncertainty for loved ones and create a manageable framework that supports long-term family and financial goals while addressing potential incapacity or changes in family structure.
Typical circumstances that point toward creating a revocable living trust include owning real estate in multiple jurisdictions, having a blended family, holding significant retirement accounts, or wanting reduced probate involvement. Trusts can help in planning for beneficiaries with special needs, providing for minor children, or creating staged distributions to encourage responsible use of inheritance. Additionally, individuals who prefer to keep estate matters private or who wish to provide clear authority for someone to manage finances during incapacity often find trusts fit their needs better than a simple will alone.
Clients who own real estate or multiple properties often benefit from trust planning because real property can be retitled into the trust to avoid probate for those assets. Holding deeds in the trust’s name allows successor trustees to manage or transfer property without court proceedings, which can simplify administration for heirs. When properties are located out of state, holding them in a trust can reduce the need for multiple probate proceedings. Properly addressing deeds, mortgages, and title insurance during funding helps ensure real estate passes according to the grantor’s intentions.
Blended families and situations with stepchildren or dependents with special needs often require tailored distribution plans that balance current spouse support with long-term provisions for other beneficiaries. A trust can provide for a surviving spouse while protecting assets for children from a previous relationship, set specific guidelines for distributions, and include provisions to maintain eligibility for government benefits. Carefully crafted trust provisions reduce ambiguity and help prevent disputes among family members by setting clear, enforceable instructions for trustees to follow.
Individuals concerned about potential incapacity or future care needs often incorporate powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and trust provisions that grant a successor trustee authority to manage finances. This structure allows for seamless management of bills, investments, and property if the grantor cannot act. Planning ahead helps avoid the delays and public processes associated with court-appointed conservatorships. Combining durable tools and trust arrangements provides a practical way to ensure decisions can be made quickly and in accordance with the grantor’s preferences.
Although our office is based in San Jose, the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman serves clients throughout California, including Arroyo Grande and San Luis Obispo County. We offer clear guidance on revocable living trusts, trust funding, pour-over wills, powers of attorney, and related estate documents. We aim to make the process straightforward by explaining options and providing step-by-step assistance from initial information gathering through document signing and funding. Call 408-528-2827 to discuss how a trust can align with your planning goals and to arrange a consultation tailored to your circumstances.
We focus on delivering well-organized estate plans that fit each client’s family and financial situation, with careful attention to document coordination and trust funding. Our process emphasizes clear communication, practical solutions, and preparing the documents needed to implement a reliable plan. We help manage the administrative steps that follow signing, including retitling real estate, coordinating beneficiary designations, and preparing trust certifications to support successor trustees. This attention to detail reduces potential gaps and helps ensure plans function as intended when they are needed most.
Clients benefit from a planning approach that anticipates common administrative issues and focuses on minimizing delays for loved ones. We provide guidance on documentation such as powers of attorney, advance health care directives, general assignments of assets to trust, and pour-over wills so all pieces align. Our goal is to create a cohesive plan that simplifies future administration and clarifies responsibilities. We also review existing documents and beneficiary forms to identify mismatches and propose straightforward amendments to bring everything into harmony with the trust.
Accessibility and clear next steps are central to our service. We make sure clients understand how to fund their trust, what to expect during administration, and how to keep documents current as circumstances change. Whether the need is for a basic revocable living trust or a more tailored arrangement that includes special needs, life insurance or retirement plan trusts, we help design and implement a plan that reflects the client’s intentions and provides practical continuity for family members who may later manage or inherit assets.
Our process begins with an initial consultation to gather information about assets, family relationships, and planning objectives. We then draft a trust and related documents that reflect the client’s instructions, review the drafts with the client to ensure clarity, and finalize documents for signing. After signing we assist with funding tasks such as retitling real estate, changing account ownership where appropriate, and preparing trust certifications and assignments. We also provide guidance for maintaining and amending the trust as life circumstances change.
The first step involves collecting a detailed list of assets, reviewing beneficiary designations, and discussing family dynamics and distribution goals. We ask about properties, bank and investment accounts, retirement plans, insurance policies, business interests, and personal property to determine what needs to be addressed in the trust. This discussion also covers who will serve as successor trustee and how distributions should be structured. Clear goal setting at this stage ensures the trust document is tailored to the client’s objectives and provides a roadmap for funding and administration.
We compile account statements, deeds, beneficiary forms, and any existing estate documents to understand the current ownership and transfer mechanics of assets. Reviewing these documents early helps identify assets that require retitling or beneficiary updates to align with the trust. This preparation reduces the likelihood of assets being inadvertently omitted and provides a clear picture of what actions are needed after the trust is signed. A documented asset list also helps with later administration and provides successors with a straightforward roadmap.
We discuss appropriate trustee and successor trustee options, identify beneficiaries and their needs, and outline distribution timing and conditions. This includes considering minor children, beneficiaries with special needs, and potential tax or creditor issues that could influence distribution mechanisms. Selecting trustees who understand their responsibilities and establishing clear instructions in the trust reduces ambiguity. Careful conversation about distribution intent ensures the trust document accurately reflects the client’s wishes and minimizes the likelihood of future disputes among successors.
During drafting we prepare the revocable living trust document and supporting instruments such as pour-over wills, financial powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and trust certifications. Clients receive drafts for careful review and we incorporate feedback to ensure the documents reflect their objectives and language preferences. We explain each provision and the practical implications so clients can make informed choices. After finalizing the documents we prepare signing instructions and any acknowledgements needed for recordation of real estate or for beneficiary changes.
The trust and complementary documents are drafted to align with the client’s goals for asset distribution, incapacity planning, and successor management. Documents commonly include a pour-over will to transfer overlooked assets to the trust, financial power of attorney for financial decisions, and an advance health care directive for medical decisions. We also prepare trust certifications to simplify successor trustee actions. Each document is written in clear terms and designed to function together so the overall plan operates as intended in different life scenarios.
Clients review draft documents and discuss any desired changes or clarifications. We explain the practical outcomes of specific provisions and recommend adjustments that improve clarity or alignment with planning goals. After revisions are agreed upon we finalize documents and prepare for execution. This collaborative review ensures the final trust accurately reflects the client’s intentions and provides clear direction for trustees and beneficiaries during administration or transfer events.
The final step includes executing the trust and related documents, funding the trust by retitling assets, updating beneficiary designations where appropriate, and recording deeds if real estate is transferred. We assist with practical steps to complete funding and prepare trust certifications and assignments that successor trustees may need. We also recommend regular reviews and updates after major life changes to ensure the trust continues to reflect current wishes and asset configurations. Ongoing maintenance keeps the plan effective and reduces surprises for loved ones.
Execution typically involves signing the trust and supporting documents in accordance with California requirements, sometimes with witness or notary acknowledgement when necessary. Funding tasks then begin, which may include transferring titles, changing account registrations, and updating beneficiaries. Proper completion of these steps ensures assets are held by the trust and that successor trustees will have the authority to manage them. We provide checklists and assistance to simplify these administrative tasks and reduce the chance that an asset remains outside the trust.
After funding, we provide guidance for successor trustees about trust administration and prepare trust certifications or other documents they may need to access accounts and property. We also recommend periodic reviews to accommodate life changes, estate growth, or legal updates. Regular reviews and timely amendments avoid outdated provisions and help preserve the plan’s intended outcomes. Providing clear instructions and documentation reduces stress for trustees and beneficiaries during what can otherwise be a challenging time.
A revocable living trust is a legal arrangement where a person, called the grantor, places assets into a trust that they control during life and that names beneficiaries to receive assets after death. The grantor typically serves as the initial trustee, managing trust assets and retaining the ability to amend or revoke the trust. The trust names a successor trustee to take over management and distribution if the grantor becomes incapacitated or dies. Trusts can be paired with pour-over wills and other documents to ensure all intended assets are governed by the trust. The trust functions by holding legal title to designated assets; when properly funded, those assets pass according to the trust terms rather than through probate court. The successor trustee follows the instructions in the trust for managing and distributing assets, including paying debts and taxes, and making distributions to beneficiaries. A trust provides a private mechanism for transfers, and the grantor’s retained control during life means the arrangement remains flexible until changed or revoked.
A revocable living trust can avoid probate for assets that are properly titled in the trust’s name, because those assets are not part of the probate estate at death. Probate is the court-supervised process for transferring assets held in the decedent’s name alone; when assets are owned by the trust, successor trustees can handle transfers according to the trust document without opening a probate case. Avoiding probate can save time, reduce court involvement, and keep estate details out of the public record. It is important to ensure trust funding is completed, meaning deeds, account titles, and beneficiary designations are aligned with the trust plan. Assets left outside the trust may still require probate and undermine probate-avoidance goals. A pour-over will can capture assets not moved into the trust, but those assets typically still pass through probate before being transferred to the trust, so thorough funding is the most effective way to minimize probate.
Funding a trust means transferring ownership or retitling assets into the trust so the trust holds them directly. Examples include executing new deeds to transfer real estate into the trust, changing bank account registrations, assigning personal property, and updating account beneficiaries where appropriate. Funding ensures that the trust governs those assets at incapacity or death rather than requiring probate proceedings for assets left in individual names. Funding is important because an unfunded trust cannot accomplish probate avoidance for omitted assets, and successor trustees may face additional administrative steps to bring assets under trust control. Proper funding requires care to avoid unintended tax or title consequences and may involve coordination with trustees, financial institutions, and title companies. A clear funding checklist helps identify necessary steps and reduces the risk of overlooked assets.
Yes, a revocable living trust can generally be changed or revoked by the grantor at any time while the grantor is mentally competent and the trust is designated as revocable. This flexibility allows the grantor to update beneficiaries, change distribution terms, amend trustee appointments, or alter other provisions as family circumstances and assets change. Amending or revoking the trust is typically done in writing according to the procedures outlined in the trust document. Because the trust remains revocable, it does not provide the same level of asset protection as some irrevocable arrangements, but its flexibility is a feature for many clients. When making changes, it is advisable to review related documents such as beneficiary designations and deeds to ensure consistency. Proper documentation of amendments and clear instructions for successor trustees helps maintain the trust’s effectiveness and avoid confusion during future administration.
A revocable living trust generally does not change the grantor’s income tax situation during life because the grantor retains control and is typically treated as the owner for income tax purposes. For estate tax considerations, the trust’s assets are usually included in the grantor’s estate at death unless other tax-specific arrangements are made. Coordination with tax advisors is recommended for larger estates or when specific tax planning is necessary. Retirement accounts often have beneficiary designations that supersede trust provisions unless the account is payable to the trust. If the intention is for retirement accounts to be managed under trust terms, reviewing and updating beneficiary forms is important. For some clients naming the trust as beneficiary can help manage post-death distribution but may have different tax implications; careful coordination ensures retirement accounts are treated in a way that matches the overall plan.
A successor trustee should be someone trustworthy, reasonably available, and capable of managing financial affairs without conflict of interest. Options include a responsible family member, a trusted friend, or a professional fiduciary. The successor’s duties include locating trust assets, managing investments, paying debts and taxes, communicating with beneficiaries, and making distributions according to the trust terms. Choosing a primary and alternate successor helps ensure continuity if the first choice cannot serve. Clear instructions in the trust about successor responsibilities and compensation reduce ambiguity and help a smooth transition. It is also helpful to prepare a trust certification and a concise folder of documents for the successor that includes asset lists, account contacts, and any specific administration steps. Providing this practical guidance saves time and reduces stress for the person who must act.
Common complementary documents include a pour-over will, financial power of attorney, advance health care directive, HIPAA authorization, and any trusteeship or guardianship nominations for minor children. A pour-over will serves as a safety net for any assets not transferred to the trust during life, while a financial power of attorney and health care directive ensure someone can make financial and medical decisions if incapacity occurs. These documents work together to address both incapacity and asset transfer at death. Other documents such as general assignments of assets to trust, trust certifications, and deed transfers assist with trust funding and administration. Preparing a comprehensive set of documents reduces gaps between intentions and the practical steps needed to manage or transfer assets. Reviewing all related forms, including beneficiary designations and account registrations, helps align the full planning package and prevent conflicts.
Reviewing trust documents every few years and after major life changes such as marriage, divorce, births, deaths, or significant changes in asset holdings is advisable. Circumstances that may prompt a review include relocation, sale or purchase of real estate, changes in business interests, or changes in beneficiaries’ circumstances. Regular reviews ensure trustee appointments, distribution terms, and funding remain aligned with current wishes and legal requirements. Periodic updates also help address tax law changes or updated regulations that could impact estate administration. Even when no major events occur, scheduled reviews can catch small oversights like outdated beneficiary forms or unretitled assets. Staying proactive about reviews reduces the risk of unintended results and helps maintain a plan that is current and effective for successors.
If you die without a trust or a will, California law distributes your assets according to intestate succession rules, which may not match your personal wishes. Intestacy can result in assets passing to relatives in a prescribed order, potentially leaving out friends, unmarried partners, or chosen charities. Without a trust to avoid probate, assets titled solely in your name may pass through court proceedings, which can be time-consuming and public. Having at least a will or, ideally, a funded trust helps ensure assets are distributed according to your preferences and that guardianship arrangements for minor children are named. Even modest estate planning documents provide clarity and authority for handling finances and care decisions in line with your intentions, and they reduce uncertainty and administrative burdens for loved ones during a difficult time.
Trusts can be structured to provide ongoing financial support for beneficiaries with special needs while preserving their eligibility for public benefits. Special provisions or separate supplemental needs trusts can hold funds for supplemental care, therapies, or items not provided by government programs without counting as income for benefits eligibility. Naming appropriate trustees and including clear distribution standards helps ensure funds are used to enhance quality of life without jeopardizing benefits. Planning for a beneficiary with special needs also involves coordination with government benefit rules and possibly creating a dedicated trust vehicle tailored to preserve eligibility. Working through these details in advance provides clarity about how support will be delivered and who will manage it, and helps protect the beneficiary’s long-term interests while supplementing available public benefits in a way that respects legal requirements.
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